Several beaches are closed to the public across parts of Massachusetts on Wednesday. Here's where they are and why they are closed.

Last year, the state reported the third highest rate ever of beaches testing positive for dangerous levels of bacteria.

With Hurricane Erin lurking, her impact is beginning to be felt in Massachusetts even if the storm isn't expected to get close.

Although fewer beaches are closed across Massachusetts on Thursday than compared with Wednesday, dozens are still closed to the public.

Over half of all Massachusetts beaches had an unsafe level of fecal bacteria last year, and 47 beaches reached the danger zone at least a quarter of the time they were tested, according to a

As of Monday morning, there were 54 beaches closed across the Bay State, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s interactive beach water quality dashboard. Nearly all of those bodies of water are closed due to harmful bacteria levels, the dashboard indicated.

Hurricane Erin will be hundreds of miles from the Massachusetts coast, but it could still cause problems at beaches.

This short but worthwhile drive around an underrated corner of the Bay State offers stops at pretty seaside towns, stunning beaches, and seafood options.

Condé Nast picked Nantucket as one of the best East Coast beach towns to visit during the fall because of how beautiful and affordable it becomes in the offseason.

The forecast does not call for Hurricane Erin to get too close to Massachusetts, but the storm is causing some beaches to close for swimming as it could create big waves and dangerous rip currents on the coast.