The Beaches of Outer Cape Cod

There is no shortage of beautiful beaches on the Outer Cape. Most of the 43,607 acres of federally protected Cape Cod National Seashore beach is located in this area, as are numerous bay beaches and kettle ponds—all offering a different experience. Here’s a sampling of some Outer Cape beaches that should find their way onto your Cape Cod vacation itinerary:

Eastham Beaches

Coast Guard Beach—Rated in Dr. Beaches Top 10 Beaches in the U.S., the pristine sand and waters attract many visitors. Be prepared for a day full of sun and surf at this favorite!

First Encounter Beach—A nice quiet family beach, this beach has calm, warm water. Like most bay beaches, the tidal flats are perfect for walking and tide pools perfect for exploring.

Cooks Brook Beach—The free-flowing mild waves at Cooks Brook are as warm as bathwater during the summertime! This smaller bay beach is perfect for swimming and exploring the flats at low tide.

Wiley Park—This freshwater pond is perfect for the kids! There are platforms in the water for diving and jumping, and there’s off a small playground as well.

Wellfleet Beaches

Cahoon Hollow—A popular beach destination in the summer, this beach is bordered by 75 foot dunes and home to the famous Beachcomber Restaurant!

Lecount Hollow—A surfer’s paradise...During the summertime, this sandy oasis is swarming with individuals who are set on seeking out the surfable waves and basking in the warm sun.

White Crest—The towering dunes that shade this wispy wave beach will have you wanting to stay for hours. Make sure you cool off in the icy ocean water before you leave – the walk back up the dune is quite a workout!

Newcomb Hollow—Children splashing about by the shore, surfers shredding up the waves, beach bums reading books beneath umbrellas, and food trucks serving up the best grilled cheese and fresh lemonade you’ll ever taste. Newcomb Hollow is a favorite of visitors and locals!

Mayo Beach—Next to the Wellfleet Town Pier, Mayo Beach is a great beach for families, especially young children, as the water is calm and warmer than other beach waters. There are several restaurants located nearby and a playground across the street.

Indian Neck Beach—Indian Neck is a beautiful bay beach with plenty of activities for visitors of all ages! (If you have the proper licensing), head to the flats or wade into the water for Wellfleet’s most prized possessions...oysters and clams! If you’re getting antsy sitting beneath the sun, go for a walk on the jetty to watch the boats drive by.

Duck Harbor Beach—Unlike many of the other beaches on the Cape that are overflowing with shell fragments that seagulls have left behind with lunch, Duck Harbor is a bay beach covered in rocks of all shapes and sizes. Take a walk down the beach and see if you can find a geode that will unleash a sea of sparkles when shattered!

Gull Pond—One of the largest ponds in Wellfleet, Gull Pond has a nice, shady beach and warm water. There is an onsite boat rental as well. This is a great spot if you are looking to explore some of the non-ocean waters.

Long Pond—The perfect combination of beach and pond, Long Pond offers a sandy section on the grass where you can bask in the sun before diving into the refreshing water. There’s even a dock you can swim out to and jump off of!

Truro Beaches

Ballston Beach — Ballston Beach is a picturesque spot to enjoy the day. Lining the beach are the hills that Edward Hopper painted in much of his artwork. The good surf makes this a popular beach for surfers.

Longnook Beach—With rolling waves, soft sand warmed by the sun, and groups of individuals running about playing beach volleyball, Longnook is bound to be a fun time for everyone in your group.

Corn Hill Beach — Corn Hill Beach is a long, narrow beach. The water tends to be warm and the surf is very calm. It’s a great spot to watch boats going in and out of the harbor.

Provincetown Beaches

Race Point — Beautiful sand dunes line this beach. Being north facing, it gets sun all day long. It has surf and a strong undertow at times. Race Point Lighthouse is just a short walk away.

Harbor Beach — Harbor Beach is a small beach located next to MacMillan Wharf, close to downtown Provincetown. The waters are warm and calm and the many docked boats in the area create a beautiful backdrop.

No visit to the Cape is complete without time spent at its many lovely beaches. We hope you get the opportunity to visit them all!