Plum Island (Massachusetts)
Sand dunes on Plum Island, Massachusetts. | |
Location of Plum Island in northeastern Massachusetts. | |
| Etymology | Named for the preponderance of beach plum thickets on the island. |
|---|---|
| Geography | |
| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 42°45′15″N 70°47′51″W / 42.7542°N 70.7975°W |
| Length | 11 mi (18 km) |
| Highest point | Sand dunes can reach 50 ft (15 m) in height above sea level |
| Administration | |
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Essex |
| Towns and Cities | Newburyport (city), Newbury (town), Rowley (town), and Ipswich, Massachusetts (town) |
| Additional information | |
| Time zone | |
| • Summer (DST) | |
Plum Island is a barrier island located off the northeastern coast of Massachusetts, north of Cape Ann, United States. It is approximately 11 miles (18 km) in length. The island is named for the wild beach plum shrubs that grow on its dunes, but is also famous for the purple sands at high tide, which derive their color from tiny crystals of pink pyrope garnet. It is located in parts of four municipalities in Essex County. From north to south they are the city of Newburyport, and the towns of Newbury, Rowley, and Ipswich.