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Visitors Guide to
Barnstable - Hyannis Beaches

The town of Barnstable has 7 villages, including Hyannis, with beaches on Nantucket Sound on the south side and Cape Cod Bay to the north.

Along the town's many miles of shoreline, you'll have a wide variety of beach experiences to choose from!

People in bathing suits walking along the shoreKalmus Beach in Summer

Beaches In & Near Barnstable-Hyannis MA

Sandy Neck/Bodfish Beach

Sea grass covered dune, long stretch of beach and open ocean viewsSandy Neck (a/k/a Bodfish) Beach

The 7-mile long stretch of spectacular coastline known as "Sandy Neck" spans all the way from Sandwich to Barnstable on the north (Cape Cod Bay) side of the Cape.

If you're looking for crystal clear water, rolling dunes, and gorgeous views, Sandy Neck Beach is the place to go!

  • Body of Water: Cape Cod Bay

  • Crowd Factor: Lots of people go to Sandy Neck, but with a short walk in either direction you'll be on your own.

  • Amenities: Lifeguards, restroom and shower facilities, and food concessions.  Handicap access oversand wheelchair available.

  • Location: Off Sandy Neck Road in West Barnstable.

  • Parking: Large lot, but it does occasionally fill on peak summer days. Parking fees/passes are required daily from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend


Kalmus Beach

Peeking through the dunes to sand and ocean with ferry boat in the distanceViews of Nantucket Sound from Kalmus

Kalmus is one of the most famous Hyannis beaches. It's known worldwide as a fantastic windsurfing venue thanks to our prevailing spring, summer and fall breezes.

The Sound-facing side of Kalmus is perfect for windsurfing, beach volleyball, kite flying and other sporty endeavors. The Harbor-facing side is more sheltered for swimming, sunbathing and picnicing.

  • Body of Water: Nantucket Sound

  • Crowd Factor: Not overly crowded.

  • Amenities: Lifeguards, restroom and shower facilities, and food concession.  MobiChair available.

  • Location: At the end of Ocean Street in Hyannis

  • Parking: Ample. Sticker or daily fee required.


Keyes Beach

keyes-beach-hyannis.jpg

This Hyannis beach is a great place to relax, have a picnic, and watch the tour boats and pleasure yachts making their way along the Hyannis Channel.

The water's calm here, and the sand is soft. It's a wonderful choice of Hyannis beaches for families.

  • Body of Water: Nantucket Sound

  • Crowd Factor: Rarely gets overly crowded.

  • Amenities: Lifeguards, restroom and shower facilities, snack bar, stairs leading from parking lot down to beach.

  • Location: 175 Ocean Avenue in Hyannis

  • Parking: Ample parking. Sticker or daily fee required


Veterans Beach

Calm blue water, beachfront and veterans memorial on the hillVeterans Memorial Beach

Veterans Beach has one of the prettiest settings of all Hyannis beaches. It's backed by a small park with shaded areas and a large expanse of lush lawn that slopes down to the shoreline.

Veterans Park features two historical monuments - one to the late President John F. Kennedy, the other to veterans of the Korean War.

The beach itself is somewhat "shelly", wonderful for kids with buckets and anyone who collects seashells for jewelry or crafts projects.

  • Body of Water: Nantucket Sound (Lewis Bay)

  • Crowd Factor: Moderately busy

  • Amenities: Lifeguards, restroom and shower area, snack bar, and park facilities as described above. beach wheelchair available.

  • Location: 480 Ocean Street in Hyannis

  • Parking: Sufficient parking usually available. Sticker or daily fee required.

  • Note: It's a reasonably easy, scenic walk from Main Street, through the Town Green, and past Hyannis Harbor to Veterans Beach

Craigville Beach

craigville for hyannis beaches page

Craigville Beach is a favorite with teens, college students and families. This very long, wide expanse has warm water, gentle surf, and a large designated swim area. Parking Fees & Stickers

  • Body of Water: Nantucket Sound

  • Crowd Factor: Moderately to very crowded, especially on summer weekends.

  • Amenities: Lifeguards, restrooms and shower facilities, snack bars just across the street. Beach wheelchair available.

  • Location: Craigville Beach Road in Centerville

  • Parking: Large lot. Sticker or daily fee required in season.


Dowses Beach

dowses-beach.jpgDowses Beach

Dowses Beach is a popular, resident-parking-only beach in the lovely village of Osterville. In addition to the warm water, gentle surf for swimming, there's some great fishing from the platform/pier at the East Bay end of the beach. 

  • Body of Water: Nantucket Sound

  • Crowd Factor: Can be a bit crowded on summer weekends.

  • Amenities: Lifeguards, restrooms, fishing pier, beach wheelchair available.

  • Location: 348 East Bay Road in Osterville

  • Parking: Decent-sized lot. Resident sticker required in season.


Millway Beach

millway-beach-barnstable.jpgMillway Beach

Tucked away just outside Barnstable Harbor, there's a lot to love about this little beach on the Bay!

It's a perfect spot to relax with a good book and watch the boats going in and out of Barnstable Harbor. At low tide the little ones love searching for hermit crabs and minnows. And evening sunsets are beautiful here.

  • Body of Water: Cape Cod Bay

  • Crowd Factor: Not usually crowded.  

  • Amenities: Restrooms, shower, take-out and sit-down dining just a 2-minute walk away

  • Location: 399 Millway in Barnstable

  • Parking: Small lot. Resident sticker required in season.

*See: My comprehensive guide to the 40+ beaches on Cape Cod offering sand and surf wheelchairs for visitors to use.

Beach Parking Info

Want to know more about beach parking fees and stickers?





Related Pages:

All About Accessible Beaches on Cape Cod

Vacationing in Hyannis

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