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Cape Cod Beaches
All-in-One Guide

Cape Cod has hundreds of beaches. So which one’s right for you?

Do you want calm water for the little tykes? Big waves for boogie boarding? Free parking? Dog access? A place where you won’t need to hike down 100 stairs to get to the beach?

This guide breaks it all down so you can stop guessing and start beach-hopping.

View from high atop a Cape Cod bluff overlooking an Atlantic Ocean beach, with two people and a dog walking along the shoreline far belowLooking down at Long Nook Beach on Cape Cod’s Atlantic Ocean shoreline


Let’s start with the big picture ...

Cape Cod's Ocean, Bay, and Sound Beaches

Cape Cod is bordered by five different saltwater bodies, and each one creates a unique kind of beach experience. 

Illustrated map of Cape Cod showing each town and the locations of the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Cod Bay, Buzzards Bay, Nantucket Sound, and Vineyard Sound

Some bring big waves and chilly water. Others offer gentle surf, warm shallows, or dramatic tides.

See what kind of beaches to expect on each shoreline →


Beaches in Each Cape Cod Town

Whatever your pleasure, each Cape Cod town has a piece of  shoreline that you'll fall in love with!

Aerial view of people on the beach on a warm summer day.Want a hint? This beauty is in Eastham. :-)

Click a town name for beach photos, parking details, and what to expect from the town's beaches:


Wheelchair-Accessible Beaches on Cape Cod

Cape Cod has more accessible beaches than you might expect!

Person in a wheelchair sitting under a beach umbrella next to a sand-friendly beach wheelchair, with others nearby and the ocean in the background

Some offer beach wheelchairs you can borrow for free. Others have ramps, mobility mats, or flat paths from the parking lot to the sand. And many beaches have more than one of those features.

See the Cape's most accessible beaches →

Learn which beaches have sand and surf beach wheelchairs for visitors to use at no cost →

Dog-Friendly Beaches on Cape Cod

Can you take your pooch with you to the beach? Yes, maybe, sometimes.

Black and white dog running across a Cape Cod beach with a frisbee in its mouth and paw prints in the sandThis pup had a blast playing "frisbee fetch" at the beach!

Dogs are welcome on most Cape Cod beaches in the off-season. But the summer months are a whole different story.

Some towns allow leashed dogs during certain hours. Others ban them entirely. And the National Seashore has its own set of rules.

Trust me, you don't want to get caught violating the rules. Local officials take them seriously, and the fines can really ruin your day!

Here's what to know about bringing your dog to the beach →

Beach Parking: When, Where & What it Costs

For many visitors, the whole situation with beach parking on the Cape is a bit mind boggling.

Sign at Nauset Light Beach showing National Seashore pass prices and payment options

When will you have to pay? How much? Is there an all-in-one parking pass that's valid at every beach on Cape Cod?

Not to worry! I'll help you figure it all out.

Read all about parking at Cape Cod beaches →

Cape Cod Beaches with Free Parking

Most Cape beaches charge for parking in season. But a few are free all year round, with no fees or passes required. These spots are rare, but they do exist.

Beach parking lot with a few parked cars and a view of the ocean beyond

Are you on a tight budget this year? Take heart! You can get out on the sand, too—at no cost.

These beaches have free parking all year round →

Camping on the Beach on Cape Cod

Beach camping is the ultimate getaway. It's also an amazingly cost-effective lodging option!

Campers sitting beside their self-contained vehicles near the shoreline, with a boat passing by in the ocean waves

But ... before you head to the shoreline with your tent or your RV, there are a few things you'll need to know about camping on the beach.

Here's the must-know info →


Campfires on Cape Cod Beaches

A campfire on the beach is a classic Cape Cod experience—but only in places that allow them, and only with the required permit.

Stack of firewood and a hand-lettered sign reading “Beach Bonfire Wood – $2 an Arm Full”

Rules vary by town, so it’s important to check before you pack up your snacks and firewood and head to the shoreline.

Read all about having your own campfire at the beach →


Public vs. Private Beaches: How It Works in Massachusetts

In most coastal states, ocean beaches are considered public property, so anyone can use them.

In Massachusetts, it's different.

Sign on a Cape Cod beach reading “Private Beach Club – Members Only”

Some stretches of shoreline are open to everyone. Others are off-limits unless you’re an invited guest of the property owner or a  member of the beach club.

Here's the scoop about public vs. private beach access in Massachusetts → 

 

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