Cape Cod is widely regarded as a top summer beach destination in New England that’s packed with charming towns, amazing seafood restaurants, and picturesque scenery. With over 550 miles of coastline and more than 100 beaches to explore, it can feel daunting to decide which ones to visit during your trip.
While pretty much all the beaches in this region are beautiful for different reasons, this post narrows down the 15 best beaches on Cape Cod to make sure you see the most stunning parts of the coastline during your visit.
1. Coast Guard Beach
If you only visit one beach at the Cape Cod National Seashore, Coast Guard Beach in Eastham should be it. It was even named one of the top beaches in the entire country by Conde Nast Traveler!
With waves perfect for surfing and boogie boarding, and the picturesque Coast Guard Station perched on a glacial bluff overlooking the shoreline, this beach is one of the most beautiful to see in the region.
The sand is soft for walking and playing, and it’s common to see seals swimming by in the water. The further down the shore you walk, the more it feels as though you’ve found the end of the world for a truly special experience.
Pro Tip: In the summer, parking at the beach is restricted to residents and those with handicap placards only. During this season, visitors should park at the Little Creek lot about a mile down the road (there will be signs directing you), and a free shuttle provided by the parks department will bring you to the beach. If you visit any other time of the year, you’re able to park right at the beach entrance.
Facilities available: Bathrooms, lifeguards, showers, scenic overlook, water bottle refilling station.
2. Cahoon Hollow Beach
The most popular beach in Wellfleet is Cahoon Hollow Beach, which is also home to The Beachcomber bar and restaurant. Cahoon Hollow is backdropped by impressive sand dunes that tower over 70 feet high, and offers incredible views of the beach from above.
While the natural beauty of this beach will appeal to everyone, it can have more of a party atmosphere than other Cape Cod beaches. However, if you walk down past the lifeguarded area at the entrance, it feels much more peaceful, and can be enjoyed by those looking for a quiet day in the sand.
Pro Tip: To access the shoreline, visitors have to walk down a steep sand dune, so plan accordingly for strollers, and for those with mobility issues.
Facilities available: Lifeguards, restaurant, bathrooms
3. Race Point Beach
Located at the very tip of the Cape Cod peninsula in Provincetown, Race Point Beach is not only one of the most beautiful to visit, it’s also where you can find a pretty amazing sunset over the water.
Long pathways through the beach grasses lead you down to the shore, where you’ll find soft sand, and gorgeous Atlantic waters. This is another location where it’s common to spot seals swimming in the water.
During your visit, be sure to swing by the Old Life Saving Station for panoramic views of the coastline and awesome photo opportunities.
Pro Tip: In the summer season, there is a shuttle that runs from downtown Provincetown to Race Point Beach, making it easy to visit without a car.
Facilities available: Lifeguards, bathrooms and showers
4. Mayflower Beach
Located in Dennis, Mayflower is known as being one of the most kid-friendly beaches in the area because of the calm and shallow waters along Cape Cod Bay.
This long, gorgeous stretch of coastline is not only picturesque, but is especially fun at low tide, when you can walk on the ocean floor to look for sea life in the tidal pools.
Facilities available: Lifeguards, bathrooms
5. Nauset Beach
Nauset Beach in Orleans is one of the most fun beaches to catch some waves, and it perfectly encapsulates the natural beauty of coastal New England.
This 6-mile stretch of soft, sandy shoreline offers lots of room to stretch out and find seclusion, and also has some pretty amazing overlooks to simply enjoy the sweeping views of the coast.
Parts of this beach are also open to over-sand driving at certain times of the year, so if you have a vehicle suitable for these conditions, this is a fun way to explore Nauset Beach!
Facilities available: Lifeguards, bathrooms, food, outdoor showers
6. Newcomb Hollow Beach
Another stunning display of dramatic sand dunes can be found at Newcomb Hollow in Wellfleet, making this one of the absolute best beaches on Cape Cod to visit for photography.
This is also a wonderful spot to look for wildlife, as you’ll often find seals swimming in the waters. While this beach can get wavy, it also has some really nice sand bars that are perfect for kids to explore and play in.
Facilities available: Lifeguards, bathrooms
7. Herring Cove Beach
Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown is also part of the National Seashore, and is another incredible place for a gorgeous beach sunset in the region. Because this beach sits along the Cape Cod Bay side of the peninsula, the waters are often much calmer than the Atlantic beaches.
With pristine, soft sand that’s perfect for walking, and clear water that’s even better for swimming, this is a must if you’re in the Outer Cape.
Pro Tip: People have had whale sightings off the coast of Herring Cove, so be sure to pack binoculars!
Facilities available: Lifeguards, bathrooms, food
8. Ballston Beach
One of the best beaches on Cape Cod is the stunning Ballston Beach in Truro. Between the rolling sand dunes covered in swaying beach grasses, and the endless shoreline for scenic walks, this one feels like you’ve stepped inside a painting.
Ballston Beach also tends to be less crowded and more quiet than other beaches in the area, making a visit here a serene experience.
Facilities available: Portable bathrooms
9. Nauset Lighthouse Beach
Home to the iconic Nauset Lighthouse that you see on the Cape Cod potato chips bag, Nauset Lighthouse Beach in Eastham is a must during your visit.
With breathtaking glacial bluffs and turquoise Atlantic waters, it’ll be hard to put away your camera. Before you head down to the beach via the walking path, be sure to take in the panoramic views from the parking area. After your day at the beach, you can take a short 5-minute walk to Nauset Lighthouse, which is another great spot for pictures.
Facilities available: Lifeguards, bathrooms, outdoor showers
10. Crosby Landing Beach
One of the most beautiful beaches in Brewster is Crosby Landing Beach, which is also part of the famous Brewster Flats. These tidal pools are the largest in North America, and during low tide, you can walk out over a mile onto the ocean floor for a truly unique experience.
But at any time of the day, Crosby Landing is incredibly scenic. Perfect for families because of the warm water and gentle surf, you’ll find soft sand and stunning sunsets here, too.
Facilities available: Portable bathrooms
11. Chatham Lighthouse Beach
Just under a mile from Main Street in the charming town of Chatham, you’ll find Chatham Lighthouse Beach. Guarded by a beautiful lighthouse, this beach is about 1 mile long with calm water and soft sand for playing and walking.
When visiting, be sure to enjoy the views from the parking area before heading down to the shoreline. This is another location where you’ll want to have your binoculars handy, as seals are common in this area while they wait for the local fishermen to come back to the nearby harbor.
Facilities available: None
12. Town Neck Beach
Located in Sandwich, what makes Town Neck one of the best beaches on Cape Cod is its adjacency to the beautiful Sandwich Boardwalk. The Sandwich Boardwalk stretches over 1,300 feet across beautiful salt marshes, and ends at Town Neck Beach.
While the boardwalk is reason enough to visit this beach, Town Neck is worth visiting on its own. While this beach is a bit more rocky than others in the area, it makes up for this with awesome boat watching, wildlife and beautiful, calm waters for swimming.
Facilities available: None
13. Marconi Beach
Backdropped by 50-foot high bluffs, Marconi Beach in Wellfleet is absolutely stunning, and a must-see during your visit.
The perfectly aqua-colored water along this stretch of coastline provides awesome waves for surfers and boogie boarders, and you can walk for miles along the shore’s soft sand. While this is a popular beach in the summer, there’s so much room to stretch out that you can often find spots far from other people.
Facilities available: Lifeguards, bathrooms, showers
14. Skaket Beach
Skaket Beach in Orleans is known for being an incredible sunset location, but it’s also one of the best beaches on Cape Cod to visit during the day, too. With gentle surf, salt marshes nearby, and soft sand, Skaket feels like a postcard.
This family-friendly beach provides perfectly warm and shallow waters for kids to play in and practice their skimboarding skills. At low tide, the ocean floor and tidal pools are an amazing place for exploration.
Facilities available: Lifeguards, bathrooms, showers, food
15. Grays Beach
Grays Beach in Yarmouth differs a bit from others on this list because it’s not a vast and dramatic beach area, but what makes it worth visiting is the beautiful Bass Hole Boardwalk.
This boardwalk stretches out a quarter of a mile over breathtaking and serene salt marshes and Cape Cod Bay, and is an incredible place for spotting wildlife. The sun also sets right over the end of the boardwalk, which is one of the best times to visit.
While there is a small, sandy beach here, it’s mostly used as a boat, kayak and paddleboard launch area, though it’s common for people to spend the day, too.
Pro Tip: Where there are salt marshes, there are also bugs! You’ll want to pack bug spray with you to visit both the boardwalk and the beach to ensure a pleasant visit.
Facilities available: Bathrooms
Where To Stay On Cape Cod For Beaches
Every town on Cape Cod will have beautiful beaches to explore, but if you’re looking to spend most of your time at the beaches from this list, the best region to stay in is the Outer Cape, which includes Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro and Provincetown. This is also where you’ll find the Cape Cod National Seashore.
- High End Hotel Option: Crowne Pointe Hotel & Spa in Provincetown
- Moderate Hotel Suggestion: Endless Coast Boutique Hotel in Wellfleet
- Budget Hotel Suggestion: Wellfleet Motel in Wellfleet
How Much Is It To Park At Cape Cod Beaches?
Every town has different fees and rules for parking at the beaches, so it’s best to review each beach independently to determine the daily fee. It’s important to note that some beaches may require a sticker to be purchased before visiting, but most will allow you to pay upon arrival for the day.
You should also plan to have cash on you for the daily fee, as some beach lots do not accept credit cards. Expect to pay anywhere from $20-$30 per day, per vehicle for parking.
How Much Are Passes For The Cape Cod National Seashore?
From this list, Nauset Lighthouse, Coast Guard, Race Point, Marconi, and Herring Cove are all part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, and require a day pass for entry and to park.
As of 2023, it will cost $25 per day, and if you plan to visit the park for 3 days or more during your trip, the most cost-effective option is the yearly pass for $60.
Do You Still Have To Pay To Park At Beaches For Sunset?
Almost all Cape Cod beaches stop charging for parking between 4-5pm, with the National Seashore beaches stopping at 4:30pm. After that, you’re able to park at no cost to enjoy a beautiful beach sunset!
Are Beach Fires Allowed On Cape Cod?
Beach fires are permitted at some beaches throughout Cape Cod, and at all National Seashore beaches. Permits will be required, so it’s best to check with each beach individually to ensure you follow all requirements. This is a great way to spend a summer night!
Are Cape Cod Beaches Cold?
Generally speaking, yes. However, it depends on which beaches you visit. The beaches along the Atlantic Ocean side will always be cold, and rarely get above 70°F on summer days, and often average about 65°F. However, because of this, the water always feels refreshing on a hot day!
If you’re visiting beaches along the Cape Cod Bay or Nantucket Sound coastline, the water tends to be warmer.
Conclusion
And that’s a wrap on the best beaches on Cape Cod to visit during your next trip! Whether you’re looking for an epic sunset over the water, or are hoping to ride the waves at the Atlantic beaches, this region is guaranteed to provide you with some of the most stunning beaches on the Eastern seaboard!
