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Nauset Light Beach, Cape Cod

Eastham, MA

41.858918° N, -69.951882° W

Where: Cable Rd, Eastham View Map

Water Type: Salt water

Type: Surf

  • local_parking
  • wc

Good for: Skimboarding, Surfing, Swimming

About

Nauset Light Beach is a popular National Seashore beach perfect for adventurous families looking for great swimming, surfing, and bodyboarding. The temperature of the water is on the cool side, as it's the ocean. It is a wide, clean, sandy beach with ample parking. The parking lot, perched high above on the dunes, provides gorgeous views. Across the street sits iconic Nauset Lighthouse (which graces Cape Cod Potato Chip bags!)

Note: Pedestrians and bicyclists also have daily fee. There is no entrance fee for active duty military and their dependents with proper ID, nor for any children under the age of 16. Fees for all visitors start on July 2.

Lifeguards will be at this beach from July 2 thru Labor Day.

Bathroom facilities will be sanitized on a regular basis, but there will be no public showers.

Reviews

32 rated reviews | 65 total reviews


United States
4 reviews
Member since: Jul 2015

8/10/2024

I love this beach with all my heart. It's fascinating and beautiful. The changing rooms are brand new, as are the bathrooms, A long path to the beach replaces the old wooden staircase.


USA
3 reviews
Member since: Feb 2021

6/15/2024

Uncrowded - you can stay in the lifeguarded area or walk down miles toward Marconi or Coast Guard. Classic Atlantic side Cape beach w/ real waves and cold water. If you haven't been for a while, a graded path from the parking lot has replaced the long wooden stairs that kept getting washed away by winter storms. For those with mobility issues, there's a slightly steeper part at the top, with no rail, which could be tricky going down, and it's over a hundred yards of gravel over packed dirt down to the beautiful beach.


1 review
Member since: Feb 2023

6/15/2024

Easy parking with a shuttle that dropped us off right at the beach entrance. Very helpful park rangers that answered any questions. Stunning beauty. Lots of seals to watch.


USA
2 reviews
Member since: Feb 2023

7/1/2023

Nauset. We loved that there was very little drinking. There were many families there which we loved. The Lighthouse was so lovely. The walk to the beach from the parking lot was very easy. I am 82 and I was grateful for that.


Rutland, VT
2 reviews
Member since: Jun 2023

6/20/2023

Saw a pod of seals close up a lot of fun watching them


Glastonbury, CT
3 reviews
Member since: Oct 2020

10/10/2022

The beaches are beautiful and seem endless.


W Hartford, CT
2 reviews
Member since: Feb 2009

9/11/2022

We loved it cause it was close to the house. But we love all the ocean-side beaches, especially those run by the National Seashore.


3 reviews
Member since: Jan 2017

9/10/2022

It was always been my favorite!


New Milford, CT
2 reviews
Member since: Dec 2021

9/3/2022

The surf was very rough the day we were here, which was very exciting, and we saw loads of seals. Beautiful wild beach for enjoying the power of the Atlantic but a little too scary for swimming


Cambridge, MA
2 reviews
Member since: Mar 2022

8/13/2022

Lovely beach. There was a line of cars to get in but it moved quickly.


Holyoke, MA
2 reviews
Member since: Jul 2019

8/5/2022

Beautiful wide clean beach with fantastic views of the cliffs and ocean. Nice and flat by the shore made for easy beach walks. Smaller parking area and no shuttle service means arrive early or you'll wait in line for somebody to leave before you can get in. A huge plus is this means the beach never gets overcrowded!


Rochester, NY
2 reviews
Member since: Sep 2020

7/30/2022

Amazing beach—not crowded and beautiful at low tide.


USA
2 reviews
Member since: Mar 2022

7/30/2022

Love that this beach is not terribly crowded. It is well maintained. However, it only has port-a-potties and no bathrooms.


Pittsford, NY
8 reviews
Member since: Aug 2020

5/29/2022

Excellent surfing and kite flying!


United States
4 reviews
Member since: Jun 2017

8/28/2021

Beautiful for the sunrise!


Leicester, MA
5 reviews
Member since: Mar 2007

7/17/2021

Went for a walk on the beach every night after supper. It was cooler and quieter in the evening and we got to enjoy the seals watching us watching them.


Longmeadow, MA
3 reviews
Member since: Feb 2015

7/10/2021

Nauset Light Beach is our family's favorite beach but bah house construction in the parking lot this summer reduced the normally small parking lot to only 20 non-resident spaces, usually taken by 8:00 in the morning. Occasionally you may arrive when a space opens up, and it's worth taking the chance as the beach is gorgeous and generally not overly crowded. If NLB isn't an option, Marconi just up the road in Wellfleet with a huge parking lot is the next best option. Marconi also has a big sand bar great for boogey boarding and surfing when the tide is right.
The NLB parking lot and new bathhouses should be completed for the 2022 season and hopefully they will be able to add a few more non-resident spaces.


Westborough, MA
2 reviews
Member since: Apr 2021

7/3/2021

Beach is clean, plenty of waves during high tide, lots of seals to each :) We enjoyed walking up and down the beach, as its part of the National Sea Shore, it can look like an endless stretch of beautiful sandy beach & waves.


Bronxville, NY
2 reviews
Member since: Jul 2021

6/26/2021

Very few people on the beach. If you have a National Parks pass, entry is free. Note that in 2021, you need to get there very early, or at the end of the day, as construction is going on, and parking is very restricted.


Ashland, VA
2 reviews
Member since: Jun 2021

5/22/2021

Nauset Beach was a highlight - we were able to drive on the beach and have a nice lunch with wine and watch the seals play in the water - incredible afternoon.


Cheshire, CT
4 reviews
Member since: Oct 2016

8/2/2020

Small parking area + big beach = privacy and space. Get there early, or you might wait in line at the gait.


Williston, VT
2 reviews
Member since: Feb 2019

8/1/2020

Nauset Light Beach is beautiful all day long. Sharks were not an issue for the two weeks we were there.


USA
2 reviews
Member since: Jun 2020

7/18/2020

Must arrive early as parking lot is small but lighthouse views if you walk to the right are well worth the early efforts! Coastguard beach is just 400 yards down as well and equally beautiful at low tide. Amazing for viewing seals and natural dunes.


Schenectady, NY
3 reviews
Member since: Aug 2017

6/28/2020

Nice beach - great sand bars at low tide ...
Parking spaces limited - have to get there early ...
People respectful of covid 19 restrictions ....
There is a long walk down to beach , but well worth it !
Nice to go early or later in day to see surfers ...


2 reviews
Member since: Aug 2019

9/8/2019

My favorite for thé view and the wilderness. Can take long walks.


2 reviews
Member since: May 2018

9/7/2019

Lots of parking available. The access to the beach is the easiest in the area for an ocean beach. The light is a quaint historic structure and it is still functional. You can climb to the top on occasion. My wife saw her first whale there.


Rensselaer, NY
3 reviews
Member since: Jan 2018

8/3/2019

Great for surfing, plenty of space , but get there early parking fills fast.


Avon, CT
2 reviews
Member since: Jun 2014

7/13/2019

Great place and not overcrowded at all. Water was warm and the location was perfect for us.


2 reviews
Member since: Jan 2019

7/13/2019

Nauset Light Beach has easy access and never too crowded. Get there early if you need to park your car.


Eastham, MA
2 reviews
Member since: Jun 2020

6/8/2019

This visit we frequented Coast Guard and Nauset beach the most. It was hard to pick a favorite. We like the light house, so we are going to star this one this visit.


Fort Myers, FL
2 reviews
Member since: Aug 2019

5/31/2019

The beach is super clean and lots of room to spread out and enjoy. The parking can be a challenge but otherwise, it's my go-to beach. The view from the top of the walkway is breathtaking.


Torrington, CT
2 reviews
Member since: Jan 2012

4/15/2019

Beautiful beach with lighthouse. Catch a sunrise here and you won’t be disappointed.


Jamaica Plain, MA
2 reviews
Member since: Mar 2013

7/28/2018

We actually couldn't find a place to anchor behind Nauset Light beach, the currents around the break were scary for our little boat. So we'd beach across the break and it was beautiful and deserted. Mostly shore break on a steep beach, there were a few spots where at low tide it was flatter with a good break for body surfing. Those cute seals are now in Nauset harbor so we were a little scared of sharks and had little luck with the blues and stripers.


USA
1 review
Member since: Feb 2017

Nauset Light Beach Revisited
7/28/2018

Beautiful NE beach, I returned here again since family visits in the 1970’s. Same uncrowned ocean front, restricted parking keeps the number of people controlled, clean, well supervised with attentive lifeguards, beautiful at low tide with large sandbars. Sad to see the extensive and ever-growing erosion which is depleting the beach/dunes. Great waves for kids and adults; and low tide also great for babies and kids of all ages.


Brighton, MA
3 reviews
Member since: Aug 2018

7/22/2018

The beach is very clean and is monitored by lifeguards, which makes it very family friendly. There is a nice, gradual ramp leading down to the beach, which eases the load of coolers and heavier items.


Evans, GA
2 reviews
Member since: Oct 2023

7/14/2018

Stunning beach! Get up early to make sure you get in because they control the admissions. The temp bathrooms are actually really nice. Sad to see the storm damage and erosion from 2018 storms but the path down is actually easier to navigate than the old stairs. Great beach.


United States
2 reviews
Member since: Jan 2018

6/30/2018

The beach was great and very close by! Get there before 10am for optimal space!


Sandy, TX
2 reviews
Member since: Jul 2018

6/27/2018

We visited on cold and rainy day, but the weather just enhanced this beach's wild, natural beauty and the proximity of the picture perfect lighthouse was icing on the cake.


2 reviews
Member since: Jul 2018

6/23/2018

This was our favorite beach since it had limited parking. With limited parking it means you have to wait for a spot some days ( we waited 15 at the most one day) but less people on the beach. Life guards were always on watch, great waves and clean. If you are going to go to the national seashore beaches frequently look into a season pass for $60. Our pass paid for itself in three days and saved us a lot of money for the week.


Dekalb, IL
6 reviews
Member since: May 2017

6/2/2018

Atlantic side bigger waves sand dunes colder water just a beautiful beach.


Pepperell, MA
2 reviews
Member since: Apr 2018

4/15/2018

Nauset Light Beach is where you will find the Nauset lighthouse, a magnificent sandy beach, beautiful sunrises, and impressive post-storm waves. Tip: go during lower tides if you are a beachcomber.


Manchester Center, VT
4 reviews
Member since: Jul 2009

7/29/2017

Go to the Salt Pond Visitor center to get a beach fire permit. Permits are available first thing in the morning on a first come first serve basis and must be reserved 3 days in advance.


Westwood, MA
2 reviews
Member since: Aug 2017

7/22/2017

Lots of space since the parking lot is not huge. Ride your bikes in order to cruise right in any time of day. This beach has great waves, plenty of beach to walk and is not crowded!


Dekalb, IL
6 reviews
Member since: May 2017

7/8/2017

Just a stunning beach Atlantic side able to bike to. Just a gorgeous beach . Sunking meadow another good beach . Great pond was another . All with in a short sweet bike ride ! [Eastham Vacation Rental ID 20054]


Easthampton, MA
4 reviews
Member since: Jul 2014

8/27/2016

The setting by the lighthouse is very nostalgic to us. The parking area is limited, but we like to go to the beach early in the morning, so that is not a problem.


Longmeadow, MA
3 reviews
Member since: Feb 2015

7/23/2016

This is a beautiful beach with a rapidly eroding dune.
Limited parking keeps the beach from being overcrowded. The lot usually fills up by 9:30-10:00 but if you come a little later you can wait in line for a space to become available. The beach walk down to Coast Guard Beach and back during low tide is beautiful.
Make sure you take the lighthouse tour on Tues. or Wed. in the late/afternoon/evening.


Buffalo, NY
3 reviews
Member since: Sep 2014

10/17/2015

My dad started my love affair with Cape Cod when I was 10 years old, over 60 years ago. We stayed in N. Truro and made a visit to Nauset Light Beach. The waves were large and stole my heart. Every time I've been on the Cape since, I've made a visit to this beach. The amount of erosion that has occurred is amazing, even requiring moving the light house back from the shore. This year we walked a mile or more down the beach, being enthralled with the waves, the birds, the shells as well as the beautiful white sand. We've been there in storms as well, including the day after Hurricane Sandy in 2013. The power of the ocean in that time was enough to impress anyone. I love Nauset no matter the weather or season. I still need to see it in winter and hope to do that before long.


USA
2 reviews
Member since: Jul 2015

8/15/2015

I saw a family of seals swim by. There were not a lot of people there. I could bike to it and did not have to pay for parking


Valley Cottage, NY
2 reviews
Member since: Jul 2015

6/28/2015

Beautiful, clean, and visually magnificent.


UK
2 reviews
Member since: Feb 2007

6/13/2015

Although the steps provide a good workout to get on and off the beach, it's well worth it! You can walk for miles in either direction, spotting the seals and, once away from the lifeguarded area, there is space to sit and stare.


Wallingford, CT
2 reviews
Member since: Apr 2015

8/9/2014

The children enjoyed the delightful waves, the adults enjoyed the cool breezes.


South Hadley, MA
3 reviews
Member since: Sep 2010

7/26/2014

Very quiet and clean and you can bring your dog.


Needham Heights, MA
1 review
Member since: Sep 2014

7/19/2014

The beach is relaxing for adults with plenty of activity for the kids. The change in tide throughout the days makes boogie boarding to skim boarding fun for all. There is always a nice breeze and it is never to hot even on 90+ days. Having the life guards there as well is reassuring.


Yonkers, NY
2 reviews
Member since: Mar 2010

6/21/2014

Part of National Seashore- Dog friendly!


West Springfield, MA
3 reviews
Member since: Aug 2007

6/8/2014

Loved walking along the shore and seeing the seals.


Miami, FL
2 reviews
Member since: Sep 2013

9/3/2013

Could view seals and very nice beach for families.


USA
2 reviews
Member since: Jun 2013

8/24/2013

Seals galore! We had an amazing time swimming with seals everywhere. It is impossible to pick one favorite beach, truly, in this area, but our most memorable experience was at Nauset Light.


Reading, MA
5 reviews
Member since: Jun 2011

8/17/2013

Have loved this dramatic beach for decades. Nature at its most beautiful! The view as spectacular as you walk down the steps from the parking lot to the sand. As a treasured part of our National Seashore, the beach is kept in pristine condition. Have not been to it the past few years as the surf there would be too rough for the little ones now in our family. But when they grow older, it will be my joy to introduce them to Nauset Light Beach.


Saddle River, NJ
2 reviews
Member since: Feb 2014

8/17/2013

It was just great, clean, neat, showers, whales, seals just like on a book.


UK
2 reviews
Member since: Sep 2012

7/28/2013

Wonderful sea, surf and sand but get there early!


2 reviews
Member since: Aug 2013

7/27/2013

Nauset Beach was beautiful with clean water and excellent surf


Danbury, CT
2 reviews
Member since: Apr 2013

7/13/2013

This beach is less crowded than others in the area, probably due to limited parking.


West Brookfield, MA
2 reviews
Member since: Mar 2013

6/29/2013

Easy to escape the usual crowed beach. Clean, nice surf.


Reading, MA
4 reviews
Member since: Mar 2013

6/22/2013

Beautiful with big waves. Clean and so much fun.


Paxton, MA
4 reviews
Member since: Oct 2018

7/27/2002

Beautiful white sands as far as the eye can see from East to West.

Nauset Light Beach Vacation Rentals

Eastham
ID 27430
3 BR
2 baths
Sleeps 6
Nauset Light Cottage - Walk to Nauset Light Beach
Nauset Light Cottage - Walk to Nauset Light Beach
Distance to beach: 2/10th Nauset Light Beach
33 reviews read reviews
Eastham
ID 9597
3 BR
2 ½ baths
Sleeps 10
Charming - Central AC - 2 min walk to Nauset Light Beach!
Charming - Central AC - 2 min walk to Nauset Light Beach!
Distance to beach: 1/10 of a mile Nauset Light Beach
14 reviews read reviews
Nauset Light - 3993
ID 39393
2 BR
2 baths
Sleeps 4
Nauset Light - 3993
Nauset Light - 3993
Distance to beach: 0.0 mi to Nauset Light Beach and Across the street from Nauset Light Beach Lot
Eastham
ID 34494
3 BR
2 baths
Sleeps 9
Walk to Coast Guard Beach
Walk to Coast Guard Beach
Distance to beach: 3/10 mi to Coastguard Beach
6 reviews read reviews

Location