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10 Best Beaches on Cape Cod

View of rippling ocean in distance with people walking along Cape Cod beach taken from the dunes .

Explore some of the best beaches that Cape Cod has to offer! Our guests love to experience great swimming, surfing, and strolling along the ocean’s edge. We’ve put together these top ten beaches with some helpful information on activities and highlights.

Some of these gorgeous waterfronts are near our pet-friendly bed and breakfast. We’d love to be the place where you come back, rinse off under a soothing shower, and relax in the comfort of one of our luxurious rooms. Let’s touch on ten of these gems (in no particular order), and then we can walk you through some helpful tips to help you prepare for the weather and conditions.

1. Coast Guard Beach, Eastham

This beach is maintained by the Cape Cod National Seashore. Surfing and swimming are popular here. Parking is available in the large parking lot off Nauset Road. From there you can ride the shuttle or hike the trails to get to the beach.

2. Seagull Beach, West Yarmouth

This is the largest Yarmouth Beach. Please note that there is a fee to park here. If you plan on boating, they also have a boat ramp. A boardwalk and beach sports make this an active, popular beach.

3. Sandy Neck Beach, Sandwich

This beach has it all — beachfront, hiking trails, and some camping spots. Make sure to obtain permits for camping or using off-road vehicles. This is a dog-friendly beach so you can bring your furry family members along. Just be sure to follow the leash laws. There are miles of trails waiting to be explored!

A couple walking their dog on a beach

 

4. Craigville Beach, Centerville

This is a great beach for swimming and relaxing! Restrooms, concessions, and showers are all available here. Lovely, soft sand makes for a great beach day. Plan to come a bit early, as the area can get a little crowded.

5. Kalmus Park Beach, Hyannis

One of the Cape’s best places for windsurfing, this beach has lifeguards on duty. A perfect picnic spot can readily be found in this area.

6. Bank Street Beach, Harwich Port

This beach is on Nantucket Sound, so the waves are usually gentle. It’s another great swimming location. If you like collecting shells, this one’s for you. The two-mile coastline will keep you busy here searching for the perfect shell.

7. Red River Beach, Harwich

This beach is known for its fishing. Yet the warmer water also invites you to sink into the waves for a swim. Restrooms are available and lifeguards are on duty to keep you safe.

8. West Dennis Beach, Dennis

This beach provides lots of parking spaces! A boardwalk, bathhouse, restrooms, and lifeguard stations make this a fun locale for surfing, swimming, and relaxing on the sand. Feel free to spread out on the mile-long beach.

9. Nauset Beach, Orleans

We love this beach — and so does Crocker because it’s dog-friendly! Just be sure to arrive early at Nauset, because parking spaces can fill up quickly. Additional highlights for this beach include free outdoor concerts in July and August, food trucks, and possibly catching a glimpse of seals and sometimes even sharks. It’s also another great spot to look for shells.

10. South Cape Beach, South Mashpee

Catch a big one here — this is a great fishing beach. Parking and restrooms are available on location. Bring some money for the concession stand, too.

Bikini, sunglasses, beach bag, flip-flops, starfish, notepad with a person writing a list

 

Final Tips to Have Fun

  • Take a Ziploc bag to keep your phone sand-free.
  • Bring some old sneakers as they have the best soles to protect against broken shells when hunting shellfish.
  • Pack some snacks and keep them tucked away to avoid thieving seagulls.
  • Layer an old sheet under your towels to avoid having to dry off with sandy towels.
  • Bring cash ($30 or so) for parking. Some places do not accept credit cards.
  • Be an early bird…..the beaches begin to crowd around 10 am. Psst—beaches usually open around 9 am.
  • Throw in a light jacket. Temperatures on the Cape do fluctuate.

Plan your getaway with us, and check out some of these 10 best beaches on Cape Cod. We know your trip will be memorable as you experience our beautiful seashore. The waves are calling; don’t wait to answer!