Best Things to Do on Plum Island, MA | Beaches, Birding & Lobster Rolls
Looking for the best things to do on Plum Island, MA? From sunsets and wildlife to lobster rolls and lighthouses, we’ve got your Plum Island summer covered.
By Aimee Tucker|Jun 30 2022|
The view of Plum Island beach from Blue - Inn on the Beach.
Credit: Aimee TuckerA barrier beach island located off the coast of Newbury and Newburyport in northeastern Massachusetts, Plum Island (named for the beach plums that grow wild along its dunes) is a popular summer destination — and with good reason.
At the invitation of Blue-Inn on the Beach, I made my way to Plum Island for a quick, 24-hour visit. Having never been before, I set out to see and do as much as possible during my brief stay. The island is only 11 miles long, but it still manages to offer plenty of opportunities for fun, relaxation, and enjoyment.
So, just what are the best things to do on Plum Island in summer? Read on for my top picks!
The first thing I did once I crossed the bridge onto Plum Island was check out the Plum Island Lighthouse, more formally known as Newburyport Harbor Light.
Credit: Aimee Seavey
What can I say? I can’t resist.
Next to the lighthouse, you’ll find the first bit of evidence backing up the island’s role as a sanctuary for birds. I’m not sure if this souped-up birdhouse (one of many I saw during my stay) was designed to house a specific species, but it was certainly experiencing a lot of activity.
Credit: Aimee Seavey
Need any essentials, snacks, light groceries, or adult beverages during your stay? The Cottage Plum Island should be your next stop. I stocked up on seltzer and potato chips. You know, the essentials.
Credit: Aimee Seavey
Next up was my home for the evening — Blue! As the only inn or hotel on Plum Island, the 13-room Blue (the property also includes a handful of cottages) has always received a certain amount of well-deserved attention, but saw renewed interest in 2016 thanks to a fresh renovation and a grand reopening as a member of the Lark family of boutique hotels.
Credit: Aimee Tucker
Blue takes the word “seaside” literally. You couldn’t get any closer to the water unless you were just about to dive in.
As the sun began to set, the inn’s beach common area (complete with fire pits) offered the perfect dose of relaxation.
Credit: Aimee Seavey
But, soon enough, I was hungry. For dinner, I made the short drive to Bob Lobster, a popular fish market and seafood shack located on the turnpike connecting Plum Island to Newburyport.
Credit: Aimee Seavey
There’s indoor seating, but if the weather is cooperating, I suggest sitting outside to enjoy the marsh views with your fried clams, chowder, or lobster roll.
Credit: Aimee Seavey
The Bob Lobster lobster roll is served lightly dressed in mayo and heaped into a top-split New England-style hot dog roll. For extras, there’s a light bed of shredded lettuce underneath, and a bag of Wachusett potato chips on the side. That’s New England summer on a tray, right there.
Credit: Aimee Tucker
Full from my lobster roll, I went for a little drive and enjoyed the sunset view (and so did a few strutting wild turkeys) from my car window. It was easy to see why watching the sunset is often named one of the best things to do on Plum Island. Have your camera ready!
Credit: Aimee Seavey
From sunset to sunrise…
The next morning, I set my alarm to catch the sunrise. It was hard to resist when the view from my very own doorway at Blue looked like this:
Credit: Aimee Seavey
A few hours later, breakfast arrived at my door (it’s included in the room rate), tucked inside a wooden crate that reminded me of a lobster trap. A fragrant and very delicious lobster trap.
Inside? Fresh coffee, tea bread, scones, cinnamon-and-honey overnight oats with nutty, fruity toppings, and berry granola salad.
Credit: Aimee Seavey
Fueled from breakfast, my plan for the day was to explore Plum Island’s beautiful great outdoors, but first, I had to get in a few more minutes of beach time. Views like this don’t come my way every day…
Credit: Aimee Seavey
A half-hour later, I checked out and headed towards the excellent Parker River Natural Wildlife Refuge. Home to hundreds of species of birds, plants, and animals on a whopping 4,662 acres, a visit to Parker River is arguably one of the best things to do on Plum Island for cyclists, nature lovers, and anyone seeking a little peace and quiet.
Plum Island Sound is on a migratory route for many birds and is also a thriving nesting area for piping plovers, an endangered species of shorebird. Both give the island an esteemed reputation among birders and conservationists.
After paying my entrance fee, I drove along the winding road, enjoying several pull-offs with views of the island’s marshes (I should note here that much of the beach access is closed to visitors during the summer nesting season, so check first when planning your visit) before pulling into a parking lot at the start of two loop trails.
I opted for the mile-long Hellcat Marsh Loop.
Credit: Aimee Seavey
Credit: Aimee Seavey
My favorite part of the trail was when it suddenly opened up to reveal wide-open blue skies.
Credit: Aimee Tucker
After finishing the loop, I wandered over to the adjacent Hellcat cross-dike to enjoy the sweeping views (the dreaded greenhead flies were still weeks away from unleashing their annual bloodthirsty attack) of birds, Canada geese, and flitting butterflies. The sun was warm and bright, the scenery beautiful, and my spirit lifted after a 24-hour dose of Plum Island perfection. What more could I ask for?
Credit: Aimee Seavey
What tops your list of favorite things to do on Plum Island? Let us know!
This post was first published in 2016 and has been updated.
Things to Do on Plum Island in Summer | Favorite Spots
- Blue-Inn on the Beach. 20 Fordham Way, Newbury
- Bob Lobster. 49 Plum Island Turnpike, Newbury
- The Cottage. 14 Plum Island Boulevard, Newbury
- Mad Martha’s Island Cafe. 51 Northern Boulevard, Newbury
- Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. 6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport
- Plum Island Lighthouse (Newburyport Harbor Light)
- Plum Island Soap Company. 205 Northern Boulevard, Newburyport
My thanks to Plum Island and Mother Nature for a beautiful visit, and to Blue for hosting my stay!
The bird houses are for purple martins. Also, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is usually referred to as the Refuge, not the Reserve.
Thanks for your comment, AJ. Good to know the specific species of bird, and I corrected the few instances where I incorrectly swapped the word Refuge with Reserve. Have a great day!
Great scenario of Plum Island…I felt like I was there. I wish I was! Is it a good destination spot for autumn too?
Hi Kathleen! Glad you enjoyed it! I haven’t visited in Plum Island in the fall (yet), but it seems like with less crowds you may have an even more relaxing visit. I know that Blue stays open year-round, if you were specifically wondering about lodging. And the year-round downtown bustle of Newburyport is just minutes away.
Surfland Bait and Tackle will hook you up for a great day of surf fishing on the beach for striped bass.
My uncles used to fish for stripers sometimes. One day we collected a bunch of periwinkles and tried to make our own redneck escargot. Bad idea, haha.
Oh how I wish I could be on Plum Island to enjoy the serenity of the island, the beauty and alas the wonderful seafood!!
Can i bring my dog to walk the beach and other areas? thanks
Spent many wonderful vacations there 50 years ago. From this article looks and sounds like it hasn’t changed.
Plum Island is one of my favorite places to visit. Most of my time when I spend at the Parker River Refuge . I possess a lifetime pass that allows me to go thru the gate by just flashing the passThis article appears to have been written in late spring before the dreaded Greenhead flies arrive. I usually avoid Plum Island in the summer as anyone who haus encountered those Greenheads and their painful bite will attest to. In early spring, and the fall , the refuge is a great spot to relax and just walk the beach looking for pieces of driftwood and seashells to adorn your home and garden. The ocean is a large drawing card for people. During the summer as this article says , the beaches on the refuge are banned access as the piping plovers make their nests on the bare beach sand. One attraction this article failed to mention in any depth is the small cottage that is called the Plum Island Soap Company. It took me a couple of years to actually have the time to check them out but it is worth a stop to look and buy hand poured soap bars of unusual fragrances along with items you would use for your bath such as loofah and large soft sponges. Ok, now back to the refuge. If you are an avid bird watcher, the refuge is the place to be during the migration season . Canadian Geese, Mallard Ducks, White Herons, and many other birds find the sand dune scrub woods perfect habitat to be. Along the road leading to Plum Island from Newburyport , is located the Headquarters for the Parker River Refuge , and the National Audubon Society Visitor Center . Both interesting places to visit on your way onto the Island. So if you are looking for a nice relaxing day trip or a place to visit on your spring or fall vacations, Plum Island should be on your itinerary. I forgot to mention above,there is a small herd of white tail deer that take advantage of the refuge and if you are lucky , you will see them along the side of the road or as I did in my last trip there crossing the road.
Snowy White Owls are also seen on Plum Island during the winter when they migrate south from the frozen Arctic in search of food.
We have a house on Plum Island and are right near the fishing boats Dock, we are right on the beach with breath taking views of sunsets…We love going to the surf shop on the island it’s a great little store, we always visit Parker refuge just an hour before sunset I pile the kids in the truck and we drive down there to see the wildlife and enjoy the sunset….We also love to walk along the beach down towards the jetty and then we walk along the jetty and take some great pictures while we’re on the rocks…Going downtown is also on our to-do list it’s a quaint little place with some fantastic dining options…I highly recommend spending some time on the island it is beautiful and a world of its own ????!!!
My favorite time at Plum Island is mid-September: no green-headed flies, fewer visitors, and myriad migrating songbirds. A special feature not mentioned in the article: the purple sand at the southern beaches, colored by pulverized mussel shells.
The greenhead biting flies are around in July, but usually gone after the first week or two of August.
This article grabbed me! Thank you for the overview of Plum Island, I appreciate the insight, this destination is now on my “list”!
I lived I’m New Hampshire for many years and when everyone was headed north I headed South. My favorite time of year was aleays late September through mid November. Watching the sunrise with a crisp in the air aleays made me appreciate it more. Few to no tourists meant quite beaches and those you did meet were locals and friendly. Can’t wait to get back some day now that I’m much farther west.
I was born in Lowell, MA. When I became of an age to drive, I would drive to Hampton Beach, NH after dark during snow storms and walk along the street near the beach. It was a mystical experience. You could hear the roar of the ocean in the background, and the soft hissing of the falling snow in the foreground . There was the sight of the waves breaking on shore seen dimly in the gloom. The snow falling was highlighted in the glow of the street lights. Mine was the only car in the parking lot, and I was the only person out walking. It was cold, very cold. Getting there could be dangerous, very dangerous. It was all so worth it, though. It was truly like being alone with God.
My grandmother had 6 daughters and two sons and many grandchildren. 1954 was the first year she rented a cottage for herself and her daughters and grandchildren. The first few years we stayed in one large cottage. As her children married they rented more cottages and then the grandchildren. One year we rented 6 cottages. Plum Island is my favorite place on earth. Moved out of state so I don’t get back there often but our children do.
Our family vacationed as a group (aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmother) for nearly 25 years straight from the 50s into the 70s. The water was cold but who knows better when you’re young? It was heaven to us, and I can’t think of Plum Island without thinking ‘family’. This was before all the renovations, of course, and when Blue was Walton’s Oceanfront (and the beautiful Ann Lee owning it). The Tonite, the Dawn, the Wooden Shoes, the pizza place in the parking lot, flying kites with spools of string being tied to spools of string thinking we could fly them to Salisbury Beach, the penny candy store run by those wonderful little old ladies, and so much more. Thanks for the wonderful article and bringing back so many fond memories, Aimee. And hello, Brenda! Loved finding your comment here as well. Love you, cousin.
Wow what wonderful memories you bring back. Lived on Overlook Dr. (between 64th and 66th sts.) next to the Basin for a dozen yrs. Wife and I experianced all that Plum Is. has to offer every day including the Snowy Owl atop the roof of the pink house on the P.I. Turnpike every morning on way to work. Great place,miss it very much, wish everyone could see it.
Are there any rooms available at Blue Inn from august to October.
Don’t forget Plum Island Provisions, Formerly Dicks, good takeout including pizza, seafood, sandwiches, wine and beer! Ice cream from White Farm!
So loved this article. I’m 81 years now, daddy build our place on 62nd street. Moms uncle Norman Wilkinson had the little place across from the Rose Cottage ( burned down several years ago) swimming in the beach beside The Rose.
Back then sand everywhere not much for trees, we kids ran around the island like one big playground.
Lefty’s Market across from the Wishbone house, where we would run around and pick up soda bottles and return to Lefty to buy penny candy.
One late summer fire trucks had to pull us off the island has a hurricane winds piled up so much sand we could not drive car to get off island ( so exciting)
I loved fishing off the pier at the point eith my brothers, watching them hoist tuna off the fishing boats, going into the clam purification plant with my little sand pail where the men working would fill up and I would take home to mom to fry up for us.
Such a childhood memories to wonderful to put into words
But thank you for this little journey today