10 Best Beaches in Cape Cod

Mayflower Beach is located off Dunes Road in Dennis, in the bay of Cape Cod, where the waves are calm. The tranquil water and powdery white sand make it a favorite with families. At low tide, it’s possible to walk for miles before reaching the water, which is great for tide pooling, shell hunting and beach games, such as frisbee.

There are lifesavers on duty, public restrooms, and there’s a snack bar available. If you’re able to visit during the week, you’ll find fewer crowds and lower parking prices. Be sure to stop by in the evening for a spectacular sunset.

Marconi Beach backs up to a 40-ft steep, sandy bluff, or scarp, with beach access via a wide wooden staircase. Its location between scarp and sea evokes solitude and a sense of being surrounded by nature. There are nearby hiking paths and biking trails to explore and an observation platform for panoramic views of the Atlantic. As it is located on the Outer Cape – or ocean side – Marconi is known for skimboarding, surfing, and seal spotting.

Fees apply for visiting, and prices vary depending on if you arrive by automobile or on foot. Don’t forget to bring your own food, beverages, chairs, and umbrellas, but restrooms, changing rooms, and outdoor showers are available.

Race Point Beach is situated on the northernmost tip of the Cape, receiving direct sunshine all day long and making it a paradise for sun worshipers. Named for the strong cross current that passes through, this long stretch of sand is a good spot for birdwatching, picnicking and brilliant sunsets. A 2-mile hike through beach grass and dunes will take you to Race Point Lighthouse, where photography buffs can capture stunning lighthouse sunsets.

Like many Cape Cod beaches, fees apply for visiting and you'll find restrooms, changing rooms and lifesavers on duty during the summer months.

Old Silver Beach has warm, clear water and lovely views across, facing coastal Massachusetts towns. Less than 2 miles from Falmouth, it's located on the western side of the Upper Cape. The gradual slope into Buzzards Bay and the warm water temperature make it a favorite with kids who love to splash around in the gentle waves.

A jetty separates the beach into sections for residents and the public, each with its own parking lot. If you don’t fancy packing a picnic, you can choose from plenty of nearby restaurants. Due to its convenient location, it’s best to arrive early if you want to miss the crowds.

Sandy Neck Beach lies 6 miles from the town of Barnstable in the Mid Cape region and is known for the 4,700 acres of wildlife reserve that surrounds it. You can enjoy a day of sunbathing, beachcombing or bathing, however, lots of visitors come to walk in the forest, dunes, and marshes looking for a rich variety of wildlife.

Despite its name, much of the beach is made up of pebbles and a portion is designated for offroad vehicles to cruise along the shore. There is a fee to visit and park a automobile and there are restrooms, changing rooms and a concession stand available.

Craigville Beach, on Nantucket Sound, has a stretch of sand that makes it possible to walk for miles and enjoy the views. It attracts many swimmers and sunbathers and is a recommended spot for kite surfers or windsurfers. Parking is split between residents and the public and can be easier to find here than on other Cape Cod beaches.

If you're looking for casual dining, there are a few conveniently located restaurants across the street. It’s possible to rent beach chairs and umbrellas, and you can also inquire about bathing lessons. There are seasonal lifesavers, restrooms and showers, and the beach and facilities are wheelchair accessible thanks to strategically placed boardwalks.

Skaket Beach, near the Cape Cod town of Orleans, is a popular spot for families due to its warm water and calm surf. Enjoy walks at low tide among the warm tide pools on a stretch of sand that seemingly never ends. Kids love searching the pools for small crabs and minnows. At high tide, swim while lifesavers keep a watchful eye before settling in to relax and take in the views over the bay.

You'll find restrooms, outside showers, picnic tables, a snack bar and handicap accessibility. Parking is at a premium, so arrive early to secure a spot. Alternately, arrive in time to watch the sun sink into sparkling Cape Cod Bay.

Nauset Beach is a beautiful 10-mile stretch of sand on the east side of Cape Cod, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. There are designated neighborhoods along the beach for surfing, bathing, bodyboarding, and fishing. You’ll find excellent waves on this wilder side of the Outer Cape, and there are frequent sightings of seals off the coast (as well as the occasional shark). Outdoor summer concerts take place in the gazebo and are a festive way to enjoy the natural surroundings during July and August.

Fees apply for onsite parking, and there are restrooms, showers, a snack bar, and the occasional food truck that rolls up to feed hungry beachgoers.

Coast Guard Beach is a beautiful spot along the Outer Cape to enjoy stunning views and sand dunes. Surfers and bodyboarders will find large waves, while sports lovers who wish to stay dry may look for the volleyball courts. Lovely seabirds dart through the haven of grasses and along the shore, and you'll have a good chance at spotting seals bobbing in the Atlantic.

The beach was named after the former coastguard station that sits nearby, and this historic building is available for touring. Fees apply for visiting the beach, and there is ample bike parking but no public carpark. Non-residents need to park in the Little Creek lot and use the free shuttle.

Chatham Beach sits a mile southeast of the town of Chatham and just below a working lighthouse of the same name. The lighthouse is occasionally open for touring and climbing, offering elevated, picturesque views. People come from far and wide to this picture-perfect stretch of sand to swim and play and look for interesting birds. The playful sea lions are also common in this Outer Cape area.

Lighthouse Beach, as it is sometimes known, is rarely crowded due to a lack of facilities, lifesavers, and parking. Short-term parking is available at the lighthouse, and some street parking is also available.