the Best Beaches on Cape Cod

9 Best Beaches on Cape Cod

There’s no shortage of beaches on Cape Cod to explore when you stay with us at our boutique Inn. Cape Cod is home to almost 600 miles of shoreline, with beaches that have something for everyone. The Cape’s beaches are celebrated for their natural beauty and are some of the country’s most pristine stretches of shoreline. You’ll undoubtedly find a delightful blend of sun, sea, and sand regardless of the beaches you explore.

As you explore the coastline, you’ll discover that each of these beaches on Cape Cod has its own unique charm. Below, we’ve listed a few of our favorite Cape Cod beaches, including some that are lesser known (which means smaller crowds!). 

1. Harwich, of course, is home to our favorite beaches on Cape Cod. They are all on the ocean side of Cape Cod, affectionally called the warm side of the Cape.  Earl Road Beach is our local spot and is easily accessible from our Cape Cod Bed and Breakfast. It features soft sand, calm waters, and convenient access to nearby amenities, perfect for a relaxing day by the sea.
2. Down the road a bit is Red River Beach.  This is Harwich’s biggest beach, featuring gentle waves, warm waters, and beautiful views of Nantucket Sound.  The parking lot spans the beach, so you don’t have to lug all your beach gear too far.
3. Mayflower Beach in Dennis is on the bay side of the Cape, and is one of the best beaches on Cape Cod for low-tide expiration. Here, low tide creates vast stretches of sandbars perfect for beachcombing and wading. It is one of the most popular beaches on Cape Cod and fills quickly, so arrive early. It offers the most amenities of any Cape Cod beach. It merges right into Corporation Beach, another bay-side favorite.
4. Crowes Pasture Beach is another bay-side favorite that takes you away from the crowds. Once you park in the conservation area, you will have to hike a bit, but you can find a trail map on the Dennis town website. Another unique feature is the oyster farm, which is accessible during low tide—but don’t touch the oyster traps!
5. Grey’s Beach in Yarmouth has the most photographed boardwalk on Cape Cod. The boardwalk reaches out over the picturesque marshes toward the ocean, offering a unique perspective of this maritime landscape, which changes dramatically depending on whether you are there at low or high tide.
6. There are miles of beaches on Cape Cod that are protected as part of the Cape Cod National Sea Shore.  Marconi Beach in Wellfleet on the Outer Cape is our go-to and has a great bathhouse and showers.  At the bottom of the stairs down the dunes, you can bear left for an ‘all human’ experience or veer right if you bring a fur baby (dog) in tow.  Since it is part of the National Park Service, you get in for free if you are a member!  It just might be worth it to become a member if you plan to visit more than once.
7. Cahoon Hollow Beach in Wellfleet is also part of the Cape Cod National Sea Shore.  A nice bonus to a visit to this beach is the Beachcomber Restaurant & Bar.  There are great views and good food, and this is one of the beaches on Cape Cod that typically isn’t too crowded.  One great thing about the National Sea Shore beaches is that if you don’t mind walking a bit, you will find a secluded spot where it is just you, the sun, sand and ocean.
8. Drive a bit further to The Head of the Meadow Beach in Truro to see the big waves and surfers in action. This Cape Cod beach has some of the softest sand and is a good place to catch a glimpse of seals, sharks, whales, and a variety of sea birds!
9. You can’t talk about beaches on Cape Cod without mentioning Race Point. At the tip of Cape Cod, it’s the northernmost beach. Whether you want to spot a whale, see an amazing sunset, or drive your ORV (off-road vehicle) on the sands, it really is a local favorite with its laid-back vibe.