In addition to topless sunbathers, M Street Beach has the cleanest water in all of the land.

According to Save the Harbor/Save the Bay water quality report, South Boston for the sixth year in a row has the cleanest beaches in the Boston area! M Street Beach has received high marks in having water that is safe to swim in and for passing 100% of their bacteria tests last summer.

Topping the list is Pleasure Bay, M Street Beach, Nantasket, City Point, and Carson Beach.

In 2019, weekly water quality testing at Boston’s regional beaches began on May 23. Supplemental daily testing of Constitution Beach, King’s Beach, Malibu Beach, Tenean Beach, and Wollaston Beach began on June 13. Testing concluded on September 1.


These scores reflect the percent of samples that complied with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s single sample limit for bacteria which is the most straightforward way of evaluating beach water quality and potential impacts on human health.

Four of the region’s 15 public beaches (Carson Beach, M Street Beach, City Point Beach and Pleasure Bay, all in South Boston) achieved a perfect score of 100%, making them the cleanest urban beaches in the nation!

You can read more about the report card here!