Gooseberry Island in Westport

The main beach as viewed from the Causeway.

About the Place: Gooseberry Island is a great place to escape to for some beach time.  It is a small island that is connected to the mainland with a causeway. It has a path that runs through the middle of it to some WWII submarine towers.  You can walk along the rocky beach all the way around Gooseberry, too.


The rocky beach that circles Gooseberry Island.

It is free, but the dirt parking lot is small and fills up fast. We suggest going visiting either early morning, evening, or weekday.  There is a boat ramp and port-o-jons.  One of the best things about this beach is that dogs are allowed all year round.  Many South Coast beaches are closed to dogs in the summer months, but not at Gooseberry!

Jay and Hank walking along the Gooseberry Island beach.

 What to Do:  Pack a lunch, beach chair, and book and spend a few hours lounging on the beach.  If you want to stretch your legs, you can walk along the sandy path that runs through the middle of the Island.  If you look closely you may see signs of the cottages that used to be on the Island - look for cement stairs to nowhere along the way.  If you have kids or enjoy exploring the natural world, bring a net and bucket.  You can walk along the rocky beach looking for crabs and other creatures!

In the summer months, there is a free guided Gooseberry Island tours on Sundays from 10am to 11am (2012 season).  They alternate with two different tours: Changes Through Time - Explore the changes that Gooseberry Island has gone through over the years due to natural and manufactured processes. Exploring the Tide – Gooseberry Island is home to many plants and animals that live between the tides. Discover the creatures that live along the island’s edge.  Both tours meet at the Gooseberry Island Parking Lot at 10am on Sundays in July and August. 

You can see the WWII Submarine Towers at the far end of Gooseberry Island.

Also, the Westport Fishermens' Association runs the Horseneck Point Life Saving Station which is located on the mainland side of the Causeway.  You can visit from noon to 4:00pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays in July and August.  They have wonderful photographs, information, video footage, uniforms, and maritime treasures of the US Coast Guard representing a heroic and historic timeline from the late 18th century through today.

How to Escape:  Gooseberry Island is located just past the entrance to Horseneck Beach State Reservation. Follow Route 88 all the way to the end (it is also called Old John Reed Road), then take a right onto E Beach Road. Go Straight on E Beach Road and it will bring you right to the beginning of the causeway for  Gooseberry Island.  No parking fee; parking is limited and is first come, first served. 

Want to Know More?: Gooseberry is part of Horseneck Beach State Reservation run by the Department of Conservation & Recreation. Call 508-636-8816 or click  http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/hbch.htm to find out more.  For more information about the Horseneck Point Life Saving Station, visit http://westportriver.org/life-saving-station.html.