Beach Closures in Massachusetts: Why Some Spots Stay Shut

The summer heat has people dreaming of sunny days by the water, but a handful of Massachusetts beaches remain off limits. The state health department monitors water quality every hour during warm weather, and right now five beaches are closed. On Friday morning June 6, the closures included Damon Pond Beach in Ashby, Eagle Lake in Holden, Fearings Pond Beach 2 in Plymouth, Lake Wyola in Shutesbury, and Cochituate State Park Beach in Natick. Each of these sites has been shut down because the bacteria levels are too high, putting swimmers at risk for illnesses such as stomach upset, sore throats, fevers, rashes, or infections.

Cochituate State Park Beach is dealing with a harmful cyanobacteria bloom, while Eagle Lake’s closure follows an exceedance of bacterial counts. The other three beaches were closed for reasons listed as “other, ” and the department has not specified those details. It’s worth noting that Malibu Beach in Boston, located near Savin Hill on Morrissey Boulevard, has reopened after last week’s closure. However, the reopening of any beach depends entirely on whether its water quality returns to safe levels; there is no fixed timeline for when a closed beach will open again. If you’re planning a trip this weekend, double‑check the latest updates from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health before heading out. Staying informed helps keep everyone safe and healthy while enjoying the state’s natural coastal beauty.

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