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With almost 160 miles of pristine coastline and over 130 beautiful beaches to explore, it’s no surprise that travelers flock to Cape Cod once the weather gets warm.
If you’re looking for a getaway to this quintessential New England summer destination, the number of areas to explore can feel overwhelming. Luckily, the distinct areas and beaches along the Massachusetts coast mean that there is a Cape Cod beach to suit any preference.
The Cape Cod National Shoreline—a 40-mile stretch of seashore beaches on the Atlantic seacoast—is home to wide stretches of sand with rough and choppier water ideal for surfing, while beaches along Cape Cod Bay are smoother and perfect for swimming and relaxing.
Whatever you’re looking for from your beach vacation, you can find it from one of the many top-ranked beaches in Cape Cod.
Cape Cod Best Beaches
With some of the best beaches in the country, it can be challenging to narrow down which areas of Cape Cod to explore. Here is a travel guide to some of the top-ranked options for you to check out on your next beach vacation.
Coast Guard Beach
In Eastham, Massachusetts, Coast Guard Beach is a part of the Cape Cod National Shoreline and is a prime swimming spot in peak summer months. This beach’s breathtaking views and dunes have continually earned it a place on rankings of the top ten beaches in America.
As with many beaches on the Atlantic side of Cape Cod, this beach has a large surf and huge waves, making it an appealing spot for surfing, boogie, boarding, and other water sports, while volleyball players and sunbathers are also found along the vast sand dunes.
While water conditions can be rough, there are also many options for activities on and around the beach. You can watch the birds and seals that frequent the beach or visit the former coast guard station along the shore.
While Coast Guard Beach is a popular vacation spot, its expansive sandy shore makes it easy to find a quieter place to sit and enjoy the landscape and stunning sunset views.
Race Point Beach
Race Point Beach is a large, lengthy beach in Provincetown, MA., located at the convergence of Cape Cod Bay and the Cape Cod National Shoreline. The water here can be pretty rough, making it a popular beach among surfers. However, you can also find several shallow spots with more gentle waves where kids can safely swim.
There are also plenty of options for outdoor adventures outside the water. There are extensive hiking and biking trails linked to the beach for you to explore, and a two-mile walk can lead you to the historic Race Point Lighthouse.
Or, with lots of space to set up and relax on the sand, you can enjoy the scenic views and try to spot whales, seals, and other wildlife.
With just a short drive to downtown Provincetown, you’ll also have the chance to experience the lively culture, galleries, restaurants, and shops that this town has to offer.
Marconi Beach
Marconi Beach, located in South Wellfleet in the Outer Cape, is one of the most well-known beaches in Cape Cod. As one of the most extensive beaches in the Cape Cod National Seashore, it’s easy to find space to lounge on the sand despite its popularity.
Marconi Beach is known for its towering cliffs and large sand dunes that frame the beach and the scenic views in every direction. These dunes create consistent waves perfect for surfing and boogie boarding outside the gentler lifeguard patrolled swimming section.
The beach is only a couple miles outside of Wellfleet center, where you can find walking trails and several incredible restaurants to enjoy after a day at the beach.
There is a parking lot with adequate spaces with a fee of up to $25/day. However, a steep staircase leads down from the parking lot to access the beach, making Marconi Beach a less accessible option for some than other beaches in the area.
Mayflower Beach
If you’re visiting Cape Cod with family or younger children, Mayflower Beach in Dennis, MA., is one of the most family-friendly Cape Cod beaches you can find.
Located on Cape Cod Bay, the calm water and small waves make Mayflower Beach a perfect place to swim and splash around.
However, the biggest draw to visitors is the low tide, which allows you to walk out into the sea for miles and enjoy the warm tidal pools. While popular and occasionally crowded, there’s enough room along the sand for kids and families to relax and enjoy the views and sunsets.
With picnic areas, on-duty lifeguards, a large parking lot with a boardwalk, and nearby food and ice cream options, Mayflower Beach is a top choice for families vacationing in Cape Cod.
Breakwater Beach
Breakwater Beach in Brewster is another great beach to explore if you’re traveling with young kids. While Breakwater beach is smaller than other sandy beaches in the area, it never feels too crowded.
With its bayside location, this beach has clear, gentle water that’s perfect for swimming or splashing around in shallower areas and soft, clean sand for kids to play in and build sandcastles.
The low tide brings abundant shells and marine life to the sand, allowing beachcombers to search for sea life while enjoying the scenic landscape.
If you’re hungry after exploring all that Breakwater Beach has to offer, there’s a nearby fish and lobster market where you can find award-winning seafood.
Craigville Beach
The convenience, size, and accessibility make Craigville Beach a popular spot for visitors of all ages. Located in Barnstable in Nantucket Sound, this public beach offers travelers a long, smooth shore, picturesque views, and a range of activities to enjoy.
While Craigville Beach tends to be a popular vacation spot for college students and teenagers, the stunning scenery and accessible shore draw families and visitors of all ages.
With warm water and beautiful sunset views, Craigville Beach is a great spot for swimmers and sunbathers. During the summertime, the consistent winds make this beach a popular place for kitesurfing.
The proximity to a wide range of restaurants right across the street is another huge selling point. You can quickly grab lunch or dinner before returning to the beach and spending more time with family and friends.
Nauset Beach
Located in Orleans along the Atlantic Ocean, Nauset Beach is a 10-mile stretch of soft sand where you can find a wide variety of popular activities.
The soft sand, expansive shoreline, and protected swim area draw swimmers, sunbathers, and families in crowds, while the waves make this stretch of sand a perfect place for surfing and boogie-boarding.
Nauset Beach is particularly popular among anglers, which you can spot out in droves before sunrise fishing for bass and bluefish.
If the cool Atlantic water isn’t for you, there are many other ways to enjoy Nauset Beach.
The long coastline is perfect for walking and enjoying the breathtaking views and sunset. It’s also common to spot wildlife such as seals, although Nauset Beach has been known for occasional shark sightings as well.
Sandy Neck Beach
Stretching six miles long, Sandy Neck Beach is one of the longest and most revered beachfronts in Barnstable.
If you’re an animal and nature lover, Sandy Neck is one of the best beaches in the area to explore, as it doubles as a wildlife refuge for a range of protected species. While swimming or sunbathing, you can watch the marine life and birds that frequent the beach.
Sandy Neck Beach boasts incredible ocean views and a dynamic landscape with forests and dunes that you can explore through the various hiking and bike trails.
There is also a designated space for campers and campfires so that you can enjoy the incredible sunrises and sunsets from your tent.
Off-roading is extremely popular in the area, and Sandy Beach has a designated section for off-road vehicles, so drivers with permits can have even more of an outdoor adventure at this beach.
And with a beachside snack bar, you can enjoy all of these exciting activities without having to leave the beach and trek into town for food.
Ballston Beach
If you’re hoping to avoid the summer crowds of beach-goers, you might enjoy Ballston Beach in Truro.
While Ballston Beach is popular among vacationers, the coast is spacious with room for lounging in the sun, playing beach sports, or surfing or boogie-boarding in the strong Atlantic waves.
The picturesque golden hills framing the beach are another huge draw. And with so much space for long walks, you can take in the scenery without the noise and crowds that are common at other Cape Cod beaches.
There is a parking lot, but keep in mind that you will have to purchase a parking sticker before arriving at Ballston Beach.
Plan a Visit to These Cape Cod Beaches
From striking views to calm waves to exhilarating water sports, Cape Cod beaches genuinely have everything you could want in a beach vacation.
When the weather starts to get warmer, book a stay to visit Cape Cod to see everything these beaches have to offer. With so many options to explore, you’ll quickly learn why so many travelers are drawn to Cape Cod every summer.
