The ocean has five wave breakers known as the "Five Sisters" offshore to protect nearby neighborhoods from the large swells that occur during storms.

Winthrop Beach is open year round to the public from dawn to dusk, and lifeguards are on duty from late June to early September.

[3] Between the mid-1600s and late 1800s, the beach was used almost entirely for utilitarian purposes, including clam digging, and lobster fishing.

Thanks to the arrival of public transportation, the town's flagship beach became popular with city-dwellers from Boston and beyond.

Over two years the Department of Conservation and Recreation plans to repair the badly eroded shoreline by adding 450,000 cubic yards of sand and gravel.