Plum Island, Massachusetts

Southern Boulevard/Fordham Way entrance to the beach.

Plum Island, just a short drive from downtown Newburyport via the Plum Island turnpike, is a place that will always be a second home to me. I spent summers visiting here for the past eleven years, as my husband’s family has a summer home on the island. I lived on the island in a rental with my parents as they were transitioning between homes. And then I lived at my in-law’s home for a full year, starting with studying there alone for the bar exam and ending when my husband and I moved into our current home. I am so intimately familiar with so many aspects of the island, but I also love that I am often discovering new beautiful things to see and do.

Sunset on the beach.

On your way out to the island, you will pass the Plum Island airport on the right hand side of the turnpike. There are often cool planes parked along the runway, and the airport hosts special events for RC planes. On weekends and some weekdays through the summer, Metzy’s Food Truck is parked at the airport. They have amazing tacos and burritos, my favorite being the sweet potato black bean hush puppies. You will take the bridge over the marsh right before you come onto the island. This is a popular place to park and kayak through the marsh, fish along the shore, or take in a beautiful sunset. The best view of the sunset over the marsh is along the aptly named Sunset Drive. One of my favorite views in the world is the blue expanse of a summer sky over the vibrant green marsh. I had my first experience kayaking in the marsh this Fourth of July weekend, and it was a beautiful new perspective of the Island. There were plovers and other birds, lots of marsh grass and hidden pathways and dead-ends. I will admit that I did not make it too far fighting along the current, but I loved the whole experience. 

Sunset over the dunes.

If you drive directly onto the Island, you will pass a through the main section of restaurants and shops, and straight ahead is one of the main entrances to the beach. The Plum Island Grille is a very popular restaurant and bar, which offers beautiful views of the marsh and sunset. I highly recommend having brunch here, as you will avoid some of the crowds and still get a delicious meal with a view! The Beach Coma is a more casual restaurant and bar at the center of the island. The Cottage is a surf shop, ice cream store and liquor store. My brother is probably the biggest fan of their signature donut ice cream sandwiches.

Boardwalk entrance to the beach at the northern tip of the island.

Plum Island is a barrier island, with most of the western side facing the marsh and the entire eastern side facing the Atlantic. The north end is at the mouth of the Merrimack River, with Salisbury Beach visible across the water. I enjoy the beach towards the southern end of the populated section of the island, closest to the reservation. I may be partial to this spot because it is close to my in-laws’ home, but it is also often less crowded than further down towards the northern end.

Wintry beach at the mouth of the Merrimack River.

At the North End of the island, there are a few noteworthy stops. The Plum Island Soap company sells a variety of skincare and body products. The ingredients are great quality, and their scents are amazing. Mad Martha’s offers the best breakfast on the island, but the location is quite small so you will likely have to wait a bit for a table! I highly recommend their pancakes, but all of their food is delicious. There is a boardwalk, small lighthouse, playground and larger beach parking at the north end of the island.

Boardwalk path in the Parker River Wildlife Refuge.

The Basin is an inlet of water from the Merrimack River. The rental property I stayed in with my parents was located here, and I was amazed to discover how beautiful and peaceful it is. The sunsets over the water are incomparable, and the inlet offers a calm spot for kayaking, swimming and more. If you can find a rental here, the opportunity to have access to the beach as well as the Basin would be excellent. An awesome way to see more of the island is to hop on a bike – it does not take too long to explore most of the streets and discover some beautiful homes and views!

Marsh in the Refuge.

The majority of Plum Island is made up of the Parker River Wildlife Refuge. At the edge of the southernmost residential streets on the island, you enter the refuge through a guarded gate. You may an entrance fee depending on what type of vehicle you are driving. As you drive down this long stretch of road, there are places to pull off and park to explore the refuge. The routes include everything from tree lined paths, elevated boardwalks, to sandy beach areas. This is a very popular place for birdwatchers, as the refuge is a popular migratory stop for many species of birds.

Sunset over the marsh from the hill behind my in-laws’ house.

At the very tip of the island is Sandy Point State Reservation, a beautiful stretch of beach. Parking here is free but fills up quickly. Just let the gate at the guard know that this is where you are headed! It is a pristine location where boats often tie up, tidepools form, and the views are incredible. You can see the Crane Estate in Ipswich across the water, as well as out over the Atlantic on the eastern side of the beach. Talking about Sandy Point makes me realize that I really need to head out there and enjoy it again!

Sunset and beautiful clouds over the marsh.

I hope your experiences with Plum Island are as rich and fun as mine. I have so many memories here that make the place so special to me, but I think it can be enjoyed by anyone from a lifelong local to a tourist!