The Town of Scituate operates seven oceanfront beach areas with eight designated swimming areas. These include Egypt Beach, Humarock Beach, Minot Beach (two areas), Museum Beach, Peggotty Beach, North Scituate Beach and Sand Hills Beach. These areas are greatly affected by the changing tides of the Atlantic Ocean. Commonly, designated swimming areas conform to certain standards, the most common of which include a sandy beach area and a gradual slope into the water.