1. Home
›
2. Cape Cod Beaches
›
3. Truro Beaches

Visitors Guide to
Truro MA Beaches

Atlantic Ocean beach in Truro MA

The first thing to know is: Truro has beaches on both the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Cod Bay.

They're only a few miles apart, but there’s a world of difference between the Ocean side and the Bay side.

So let’s take a closer look at both. Then you can decide which beaches are right for you.

What’s the Difference Between Ocean and Bay Beaches?

On the Ocean side, you’ll get chilly water, bigger waves, and those classic Cape Cod cliffs that seem to stretch forever.

The Ocean-side beaches are great for wave-jumping, long walks, and dramatic scenery.

On the Bay side, things are calmer. The water’s warmer, the waves are smaller, and the tide goes way out. 

The Bay-side beaches are a better choice for little kids, casual swimmers, and sunset seekers.

Atlantic Ocean Beaches in Truro

*Note: High Head Beach is in North Truro, but getting there requires either an off-road vehicle (and a special permit) or a long walk through soft sand. Since it's not easy to access for most visitors, I haven't included it here.

Head of the Meadow Beach

Head of the Meadow

Head of the Meadow is one of my favorite beaches on the Cape Cod National Seashore.

Although it's a popular spot for sunbathers and surfers during the summer months, to me there's always a peaceful feeling about Head of the Meadow. Perhaps that's because there's plenty of room to roam and be alone, if that's what you want to do.

When you visit Head of the Meadow, be sure to keep your eyes open for seals surfing in the waves and whales spouting farther offshore!

• Body of Water: Atlantic Ocean
  
  
• Crowd Factor: Moderately busy during the summer months. Very quiet the rest of the time.
  
  
• Seasonal Amenities:  Limited restroom facilities, lifeguard, beach wheelchair available
  
  
• Location: At the end of Head of the Meadow Road, off Rt. 6 in Truro, MA
  
  
• Parking: There are two parking areas for Head of the Meadow. One is for vehicles with a town of Truro sticker. The other requires a National Parks pass or a daily fee.
  

Coast Guard Beach

Coast Guard Beach in Truro

Not to be confused with the Coast Guard Beach farther south in Eastham, this Coast Guard Beach is in Truro - just down the road from Highland Lighthouse.

This whole area is gorgeous ... and Truro's large, golden-sand Coast Guard Beach is no exception. A nice feature of this beach is that it's less "peopled" than some other ocean beaches on the Outer Cape. Well worth a visit!

• Body of Water: Atlantic Ocean
  
  
• Crowd Factor: Rarely crowded.
  
  
• Seasonal Amenities: Porta-potty
  
  
• Location: Rt. 6 to Highland Road to Coast Guard Road; or Rt. 6 to Head of the Meadow Road to Old Kings Highway to Coast Guard Road.
  
  
• Parking: Extremely limited. Parking sticker issued by the town of Truro is required in season.
  
  

Long Nook Beach

Long Nook Beach

This large, somewhat isolated, and very picturesque beach is a favorite Truro beach for swimmers, boogie-boarders and families.

It's also unusual in a few ways.

As you make your way down the bluff to the beach, you might notice an orange-y color in the sand. It's some sort of sediment, they say. If it turns your feet an odd color, no need to worry. It washes right off.

It's also a beach where, in the most remote part of the beach, sunbathers sometimes go au naturel. (FYI: Nude sunbathing is not allowed, and you might be fined if you're caught "sans suit".)

Personally, I've never ventured to those farthest reaches at Longnook Beach in warm weather. But I thought some of you might appreciate fair warning! ;-)

• Body of Water: Atlantic Ocean
  
  
• Crowd Factor: Not usually overly crowded.
  
  
• Seasonal Amenities: Porta-potty
  
  
• Location: At end of Long Nook Road (off Rt. 6) in Truro, MA.
  
  
• Parking: Limited. Town-issued Truro beach parking sticker required in season.
  
  
• Note: There are no stairs to the beach here - only a narrow path down the very steep dune.
  

Ballston Beach

Ballston Beach

Ballston Beach is a big, wide stretch of soft sand that's a favorite of sun-worshippers, fishermen, artists and photographers. The scenery is spectacular ... and the fishing is great!

Ballston is also a nice beach for beginner surfers, since the waves aren't quite as big here as they are at some of the Cape's other Atlantic Ocean beaches.

• Body of Water: Atlantic Ocean
  
  
• Crowd Factor: Rarely feels crowded, even on the busiest summer days.
  
  
• Seasonal Amenities: Porta-potty
  
  
• Location: At end of South Pamet Road (off Rt. 6)
  
  
• Parking: Limited. Town-issued sticker required.
  

Cape Cod Bay Beaches in Truro

For equally beautiful but very different scenery - and the luxury of warmer water and less "vigorous" wave action - the beaches on Cape Cod Bay in Truro have you covered for that.

Corn Hill Beach

Corn Hill Beach

According to local lore, when the Pilgrims arrived on the shores of Cape Cod in 1620, they discovered fresh water and corn stored by the Kakopee Indians here at Corn Hill.

Corn Hill Beach is long and somewhat narrow with nice views of boats going in and out of Pamet Harbor. The warm waters of Cape Cod Bay and the gentle slope from the beach into the water make this a nice beach for children.

• Body of Water: Cape Cod Bay
  
  
• Crowd Factor: Moderately busy
  
  
• Seasonal Amenities: Porta-potty, Mobi-Mat, beach wheelchair available.
  
  
• Location: At end of Corn Hill Road (off Rt. 6)
  
  
• Parking: Large lot. This is the only Bay-side Truro beach where a daily parking fee can be paid at the gate.
  
  

Fisher Beach

Fisher Beach

Fisher Beach is a pretty, normally quiet beach near Pamet Harbor on the Cape Cod Bay side of town.

If you're on Fisher Beach when the tide is out (low), you'll have a big expanse of sand for walking, beachcombing and sunbathing.

When the tide is in (high), have fun swimming in the warm calm Bay waters.

• Body of Water: Cape Cod Bay
  
  
• Crowd Factor: Usually uncrowded.
  
  
• Seasonal Amenities: None
  
  
• Location: Rt. 6 to Old County Road to Fisher Road.
  
  
• Parking: Very limited. Town-issued Truro beach parking sticker required.

Ryder Beach

Ryder Beach is a "get away from it all" kind of beach. Normally peaceful, with plenty of room (especially at low tide), Ryder is a nice place to hang out for a quiet afternoon or take in the evening sunset.

• Body of Water: Cape Cod Bay
  
  
• Crowd Factor: Usually quiet
  
  
• Seasonal Amenities:  Porta-potty
  
  
• Location: Rt. 6 to Prince Valley Road to Old County Road to Ryder Beach Road.
  
  
• Parking: There's a decent amount of parking here. Town-issued Truro beach parking sticker required.
  

Related Pages:

The Cape's Top Accessible Beaches

Vacationing in Truro

1. Home
›
2. Cape Cod Beaches
›
3. Truro Beaches