Crane Beach Rules & Regulations

Crane Beach follows the Crane Estate regulations set by The Trustees: no alcohol unless bought on site from a licensed vendor, no smoking or vaping, no drones, no inflatable floats, no charcoal and no open fires, and no entering the dunes except on posted trails. Dogs and horses are allowed only from October 1 to March 31 (see dogs), and kites are banned from April 1 to September 30.

People who break the rules can be asked to leave and are subject to arrest, fines and imprisonment as provided by law. Here's what the regulations say, grouped the way a beach day runs.

On the Beach

• No inflatable flotation devices.
• No throwing balls or other objects, and no contact sports, in areas lifeguards are watching.
• No kites from April 1 to September 30.
• No open fires. On the open beach, portable gas grills are allowed; charcoal is not.
• Carry in, carry out. There's no littering, and trash goes home with you.
• No soap or shampoo in the outdoor showers.
• No nudity, and no conduct that disturbs other visitors.

Alcohol, Smoking and Drones

Alcohol is banned across the estate unless it was bought on site through a licensed vendor. Smoking and vaping in any form are banned, and so are drones. Metal detecting isn't allowed either.

Dunes, Plovers and Wildlife

The dunes shield the inland areas from storm waves and flooding, and the beach is a major piping plover nesting site. The rules reflect both: stay out of the dunes except on a posted trail, stay out of fenced dune areas, and don't cut or remove plants, including fruit. Feeding or disturbing nesting birds or other wildlife, including seals and other marine mammals, is banned. The Trustees also ask visitors to avoid the wrack line, the line of washed-up organic debris where plovers feed and hide.

Fishing

Fishing is allowed on Crane Beach, but not in the swimming area or near swimmers, and only with a valid Massachusetts saltwater fishing license.

Boats, Kayaks and Paddleboards

You can't launch a boat, kayak, paddleboard or any other watercraft from the Crane Estate. The one landing spot for private boats is the dock on Long Island in the Crane Wildlife Refuge, reached from a launch outside the estate. See Choate Island for how that works, or join a guided kayak trip.

Bikes and Vehicles

Cycling is allowed only on the main property roads and parking lots. Motor vehicles aren't allowed on the beach without special authorization.

Horses

Horseback riding is allowed on Crane Beach from October 1 to March 31, through a horse trailer permit program open only to Trustees members. Riders must stay below the high tide line except to get on and off the beach, can't ride from one hour before to one hour after high tide, and must be off the beach 90 minutes before posted sunset. Owners clean up any manure in the lot, on the access road or above the high tide line. Horses, like dogs, are never allowed on the dunes, the trails or Castle Hill.

Photography

Unpermitted commercial, portrait and wedding photography is banned across the estate. For portrait sessions at Crane Beach, The Trustees ask that the photographer or client be a Family-level member or higher. Castle Hill requires a paid portrait permit and doesn't permit wedding photography, including white-dress shoots.

Hunting Season

A limited deer bow-hunting program runs on the estate from the first Monday in October through December, Monday to Saturday, from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. No hunting on Sundays. Signs are posted at the property. Firearms are banned otherwise.

Castle Hill and the Refuge

Two more rules apply at Castle Hill and in the Crane Wildlife Refuge: no dogs or other pets at any time, and no kites, balloons or flying lanterns at any time. Camping is banned in the refuge. The full regulations are in The Trustees' PDF.