If you’re looking for the best Cape Cod beaches, then you’ve come to the right place. This post is all about the best beaches on Cape Cod that you don’t want to miss.
Believe it or not, there are over 130 beaches on Cape Cod. That’s a lot of beaches to explore! Depending on what town you’ll be staying or living in will depend on what beach is close by.
One thing I love about living on Cape Cod is that there is always a beach nearby! I often take this for granted but really am so lucky to live in such a beautiful place.
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Without further ado, let’s get into this post!
This post is about Cape Cod beaches.
Upper Cape Cod Beaches:
Upper Cape Cod consists of Mashpee, Sandwich, Falmouth, and Bourne. In my opinion, you have to cross the bridge to be on Cape Cod but interestingly enough the town of Bourne is on both sides of the bridge. If I were going to vacation on Cape Cod, I would not stay in Bourne as you might not get the whole Cape Cod experience if you don’t even cross the bridge.
1. Monument Beach | Bourne
Firstly, Monument Beach overlooks the Cape Cod Canal, located off Route 28 in Bourne. This beach has a volleyball net, snack bar, and bathroom facilities which is always a major plus. Although I have to say, beaches in Bourne don’t compare to the rest of the beaches on Cape Cod.
2. Old Silver Beach | Falmouth
Secondly, Old Silver Beach in Falmouth stands out as a favorite destination, boasting warm waters, picturesque sands, and a range of amenities including a snack bar with burgers and slushies, bathrooms, and wash-down stations. Parking is available for $30, with both cash and credit cards accepted. During low tide, you can walk out and explore the sandbar, while at high tide you can go swimming.
3. Sandwich Town Beach | Sandwich
Thirdly, Sandwich Town Beach is an easily accessible beach, a great spot for swimming, fishing, and watching boats pass through the Cape Cod Canal. The best part about this beach is the boardwalk which is great for jumping off at high tide. The only downside to this beach is that there is no snack bar but you are close enough to town to eat somewhere nearby.
4. South Cape Beach | Mashpee
Next, Mashpee is a beautiful town but there aren’t many beaches to choose from in Mashpee, South Cape Beach is one of the only sale water beaches to choose from. There are no snack bars or formal bathrooms, just porta-potties. Overall, this is a decent beach, but I would recommend checking out other beaches than this one.
Mid Cape Cod Beaches:
Mid Cape Cod towns consist of Barnstable, Yarmouth, and Dennis. Arguably, the town of Dennis has some of the nicest beaches on Cape Cod including Mayflower Beach among 15 others. Hyannis in Barnstable is the hub of Cape Cod where many of the major attractions are located such as the Cape Cod Mall.
5. Kalmus Beach | Hyannis
Kalmus Beach is one of the many located in Hyannis but has the best amenities by far than the others. For one, it is ‘separated’ by a jetty on which one side is the harbor with a smaller, more kid-friendly beach while the other side is longer but more ocean-facing. Not to mention there is a great snack shack, clean bathrooms, and a huge parking lot.
6. Sandy Neck Beach | Barnstable
Sandy Neck Beach is located on the Sandwich/Barnstable town lines. This is a fun beach if you have a special permit and a car with four-wheel drive so that you can drive out on the beach. As a kid, my mom would drive my siblings and me out on to the beach to spend the day there, we would bring lots of food and relax all day.
7. Long Beach | Centerville
Long Beach is us locals’ secret beach in Centerville. It’s close to Craigville Beach, you even park there and walk a short walk down to Long Beach where you’ll find a much calmer atmosphere than Craigville. The only downside is that there are no restrooms or other amenities unless you walk back to Craigville and across the street from Craigville is a snack bar.
8. Gray’s Beach | Yarmouth
Gray’s Beach encompasses a lengthy boardwalk stretching into the tidal bays, offering breathtaking views. While the parking lot may be small, it’s worth it for the perfect sunset spot. Kids will love exploring the boardwalk and trails, and the playground, picnic pavilion, and restrooms add convenience to the small beach and boat launch area.
9. Chapin Beach | Dennis
Chapin Beach is a Cape Cod Bay beach, backed by low dunes giving it a very private feel, this beach is perfect for, swimming, sunbathing, and exploring the tidal flats. This is another beach I grew up going to, some of my best memories were made here, and will always be one of my favorite beaches. At low tide, you can walk out for miles into the ocean and the sunset is one of the most amazing on the Cape.
10. Mayflower Beach | Dennis
Mayflower Beach, located in Dennis, is a highly sought-after bay beach renowned for its beauty and suitability for all ages. At low tide, you can walk for miles and explore the tidal pools. Additionally, there is an array of affordable food options at the impressive Beach Concession Stand. (It is similar and close to Chapin Beach but offers many more amenities, bathrooms, and snacks.)
Lower Cape Cod Beaches:
Lower Cape Cod consists of Harwich, Brewster, Chatham, and Orleans. From scenic beaches and quaint villages to renowned seafood restaurants and outdoor recreational opportunities, Lower Cape Cod provides visitors with a quintessential Cape Cod experience. Whether you’re exploring the historic streets of Chatham, biking along the Cape Cod Rail Trail in Brewster, or enjoying a day of sun and surf in Harwich, there’s plenty to see and do in this picturesque corner of Cape Cod.
11. Skaket Beach | Orleans
Skaket Beach located in Orelans is another one of my all-time favorite beaches on the Cape. It is a charming bay beach and is a family favorite thanks to its gentle surf and invitingly warm waters. During low tide, expansive flats emerge, inviting exploration of tidal pools for over a mile. With its spacious expanse of soft sand, the beach remains enjoyable even at high tide, offering a calm surf ideal for young children. Clean bathrooms and a snack shack serving delicious food further enhance the beach experience.
12. Nauset Beach | Orleans
Another praiseworthy beach in Orleans is Nauset Beach which spans a vast 10-mile stretch all the way to Chatham Harbor. Onsite amenities include restrooms and multiple food trucks for convenience. With soft, clean sand and moderate waves, Nauset Beach is perfect for various water activities like swimming, boogie boarding, skimboarding, and surfing, while also providing a picturesque setting for sunrise viewing.
13. Red River Beach | Harwich
Red River Beach is a beloved hotspot, known for its spaciousness and enjoyable activities such as swimming, playing in the waves, boogie boarding, and even a convenient kayak and canoe launch. With its expansive shoreline, it’s perfect for leisurely walks and provides plenty of room to relax. There are also enjoy food trucks on most days, along with accessible bathrooms and showers.
14. Hardings Beach | Chatham
Hardings Beach stands out as one of the premier family-friendly beaches on the Lower Cape. Positioned facing south on Nantucket Sound, it boasts tranquil, inviting waters perfect for all ages. Situated at the end of Hardings Beach Road, just off Barn Hill Road in West Chatham, it offers two parking lots, three lifeguard stations, and a bathhouse with showers and the convenience of food service trucks stationed at each lot.
Outer Cape Cod Beaches:
Outer Cape Cod consists of Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown. The Outer Cape Cod region, renowned for its pristine natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, offers visitors a diverse array of attractions and activities to explore. From picturesque beaches and scenic hiking trails to charming seaside villages and vibrant art scenes, each town within this area boasts its own unique charm and character.
15. First Encounter Beach | Eastham
First Encounter Beach is a serene haven for families, boasting warm waters typical of bay beaches, with gentle waves perfect for all ages. During low tide, it transforms into an ideal spot for tide pooling and leisurely strolls. Keep an eye out for the passing ice cream truck, offering a refreshing treat on sunny days. Amenities include a convenient bathhouse and a spacious parking lot.
16. Cahoon Hollow Beach | Wellfleet
Cahoon Hollow Beach is a popular summer destination in Wellfleet and is home to the famous Beachcomber Restaurant and Bar. The walk down to the beach is tough it’s steep and long but walking up after spending a day at the beach with all your materials is even worse. Even though the beach is stunning, but be prepared to climb down and up the slope.
17. Head of Meadow Beach | Truro
Head of the Meadow Beach offers a stunning vista of sand dunes and breathtaking sunsets, with the added convenience of minimal hiking – no steep stairs to navigate with beach gear. Perfect for boogie boarding with ocean waves and skim boarding on soft, flat sands during lower tides. While it may lack food options, visitors can take advantage of the water refill station, outdoor rinse showers, and bathroom and change area on the National Seashore side.
18. Herring Cove Beach | Provincetown
Finally, Herring Cove stands out as the sole Cape Cod National Seashore beach located on the Cape Cod Bay side. Thanks to this unique positioning, its waves are gentler, and water temperatures are slightly warmer compared to the Atlantic Ocean side. Amenities include indoor and outdoor showers (bring your own soap for outdoor showers), toilets, and changing cubicles for added convenience and I can’t forget there is a snack bar at the beach.
