Last week’s high temperatures and humidity made it evident that summer has indeed arrived. Heat tolerance is not among my strengths, so in times like these, I try to remember that it often feels cooler by the water. A walk on the beach at the end of the day can be a lovely way to escape the heat!
But sometimes there are better options than a stroll by the sea. Extreme heat can zap energy as the body works harder to maintain equilibrium. A cool shower, adequate hydration, and resting in a shady spot with a fan are excellent ways to lower core temperature, as is immersion in water.
I read recently, in a Harvard Medical School publication, about a reliable US Army hack for combatting heat. Submerging your hands, forearms and elbows in ice water for five minutes will help move cooled blood back to your core. If you have more time and space, you might also take a cool bath ... or venture out for a swim.
But where? Not everyone enjoys the beach, or has access to a swimming pool. Ponds, lakes and rivers can also be excellent places to cool off. We’re fortunate in Massachusetts that the state routinely checks water quality at public swim spots and posts the results online. Save this link and use it when you’re planning a swim. The list below features public swim spots in our watershed and on the South Shore.
Note: If you’re planning to swim in salt water, be aware that this summer is shaping up to be above-average for jellyfish sightings. Lifeguards and harbormaster’s offices can provide up-to-date information on local jellyfish activity.
Maquan Pond
Maquan Pond in Hanson is a great place to go during swim season! Weather-permitting, and as long as there is adequate staff, the beach at Cranberry Cove is open daily from 11 am to 6 pm, until Labor Day. Daily and seasonal passes are available for Hanson residents as well as non-residents. Maquan Pond is a headwater to the Indian Head and North Rivers. Ample on-site parking on Camp Kiwanee Road.
Couch Beach
If you don’t mind a 0.4-mile walk, Couch Beach on the North River in Marshfield is a lovely spot for a swim at any tide, as long as you’re mindful of the current, which can be quite swift! Look for the trailhead on the right, about 2/3 of the way into Couch Cemetery (629 Union Street). Park on the asphalt, and follow the trail that begins behind the wide metal gate. It leads to a pine forest overlooking the river and its marshes as well as a small sandy beach.
Oldham Pond
Pembroke’s town landing at Oldham Pond features a seasonal swim beach with lifeguards, for both residents and non-residents. The 189-acre pond is a headwater to Herring Brook, a major tributary to the North River. On-site parking at 183 Wampatuck Street.
Rexhame Beach
Open to the public, Rexhame Beach in Marshfield offers access to both the ocean and the South River, with sandy beaches on both sides. Look for the path through the dunes, by the basketball court, to find your way to the river. There is a large parking lot at the end of Standish Street. Town sticker or daily fee required.
Stetson Pond Beach
Located in Pembroke, at the edge of the Taunton River watershed, Stetson Pond is a small, natural pond in a serene spot, perfect for a summer swim. It is open to the public. Limited on-site parking at 350 Plymouth Street.
Plymouth’s Ponds
There are 365 ponds in Plymouth and several of them are open to the public seasonally for swimming. Fresh Pond, at 220 Bartlett Road in Manomet, and Hedges Pond, at 166 Hedges Pond Road in Cedarville, have lifeguards. In addition, there are two ponds at Morton Park (Morton Park Road). And don’t miss College Pond at Myles Standish State Forest (194 Cranberry Road, Carver). Hours and regulations vary.
The Fore River
Weymouth, Braintree and Quincy each offer a public beach with access for swimmers to the Fore River. Check water quality first, then consider the following public spots: Mound Street Beach in Quincy, George Lane Beach in Weymouth, Wessagusset Beach in Weymouth, and Smith Beach in Braintree.
Ocean Beaches
Many town beaches require a resident sticker to park in the summertime, but some welcome the public with paid (or in rare cases, free but limited) parking Check out: Bathing Beach (Hingham), Brant Rock Beach (Marshfield), Duxbury Beach Park, North Nantasket Beach (Hull), Nantasket Beach Reservation(Hull), Nelson Memorial Park (Plymouth), Peggotty Beach (Scituate), and Plymouth Long Beach.
If you enjoy the outdoors, be sure to check out NSRWA’s Explore South Shore program. Every morning, we highlight one of the region’s best public nature places on Facebook and Instagram. Every Tuesday, it’s a spot with water access. Not on social media? We’ve listed all the locations on our website as well!
See you on the rivers!
by Kezia Bacon
July 2026
Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to protecting our waters. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. You will also find thirty years of Kezia’s Nature columns there.
