Best of Boston

Seven miles of white sand nudge up against the salt waters of the Atlantic on this, the South Shore’s most utopian spot. The chaos (near the restrooms, parking, and refreshment stand) eases out toward Powder Point Bridge, and ends with empty stretches interrupted by only a few unobtrusive patches of locals here to kayak, admire the natural beauty, and walk the clean dunes toward Gurnet Light in neighboring Plymouth. Beyond the quiet beauty of the bridge, sailboats and windsurfers ride the sterling blue bay that separates the beach from town. If you don’t have to rush home, stick around for the sunset—one of the area’s most magnificent.