Explore the Cape Cod National Seashore

The six official Cape Cod National Seashore beaches, stretching from Nauset Light Beach in Eastham up to Herring Cove and Race Point in Provincetown, each have their own personality. These are wide, open, Atlantic-facing beaches with serious surf, clean water, and a horizon that goes on forever. The beaches include:

1. Coast Guard Beach in Eastham is consistently rated among the best Cape Cod National Seashore beaches, and arguably the most beautiful of the six due to its rare combination of wide open Atlantic shoreline and dramatic Nauset Marsh backdrop. There is no parking at the beach itself, so plan to take the free shuttle from Little Creek. It’s worth every bit of the effort.
2. Nauset Light Beach in Eastham is a stunning Atlantic-facing stretch backed by massive sand dunes, with the iconic red-and-white Nauset Lighthouse standing just inland. The lighthouse, originally built in Chatham in 1877 and moved to Eastham in 1923, is open for tours in summer. The parking lot fills by mid-morning, so arrive early.
3. Marconi Beach in Wellfleet is named for Guglielmo Marconi, who transmitted the first transatlantic wireless signal from this stretch of coast in 1903. The bluffs at Marconi Beach are so tall that by late afternoon, they block the sun and cast the beach in shade, so it’s best visited in the morning.
4. Head of the Meadow Beach in Truro is one of the more remote Cape Cod National Seashore beaches, with excellent surf and a wilder, less-crowded feel. It’s one of the easier beaches to access, as there are no steep dunes to navigate.
5. Race Point Beach in Provincetown is located at the very tip of the Cape, with big waves, strong sun nearly all day thanks to its northern exposure, and sweeping views of the dunes and the historic Race Point Coast Guard station. Whales and dolphins are occasionally spotted offshore.
6. Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown is the most accessible of the six, with calmer surf, easy parking, a seasonal snack bar, and some of the best sunset views on the Cape. It’s connected to the Province Lands Bike Trail, so you can ride in directly from the Cape Cod National Seashore dunes.

The Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham is genuinely worth your time before you head to the beach. Open daily year-round, it has a small but substantive museum covering Cape Cod’s maritime and natural history, along with ranger-led programs, films, guided canoe trips, interpretive walks, and more throughout the season. The rangers know the park inside and out and can point you toward less-crowded spots depending on what time of year you’re visiting.

The national seashore on Cape Cod fills up fast on summer mornings, and popular lots like Nauset Light are often full by mid-morning. Arriving early or timing your visit for a weekday in shoulder season makes a real difference. Spring and fall are especially good for things to do on Cape Cod within the seashore, as the crowds thin considerably and the trails, marshes, and dunes take on a quieter, more intimate character that’s harder to find in July.