Best Cape Cod Beaches

I have lived on Cape Cod for most of my life, and, like many Cape Codders born and raised here, I believe that salt water flows in my veins! Not a day goes by that I don’t feel the need to get to the beach, deeply inhale the fresh salt air, and sink my toes into the sand.

I haven’t made it to EVERY beach on Cape Cod, but I’m working on it! Here are some of my favorites . . .

Little Pleasant Bay in South Orleans.

As a toddler, my first underwater experience occurred at Little Pleasant Bay in South Orleans. While I’m pretty sure my intention was not to go all the way under, I never looked back! My mother called me her “little fish,” and there’s little wonder why. I still love going to Pleasant Bay, where the waters are warm and very calm, and, while it does get a little “mucky” when the tide goes out, I’m still game for a dip, as long as I have a raft to float around on!

Corporation Beach, looking toward Howes Street Beach, in Dennis.

It’s hard to narrow down my favorite bayside beach. Two that are very special to me, because I frequented them a lot when I was younger, are Corporation Beach and Howes Street Beach, both in Dennis, lying side-by-side on Cape Cod Bay. The gorgeous, pristine, white sand at both of these beaches are perfect for building sandcastles, and the tidepools provided endless hours of fun by hunting for hermit crabs and snails! Plenty of swimming, floating on rafts, and splashing with my friends happened in these calm waters!

Driving in the the dunes of Nauset Outer Beach in Orleans.

On the oceanside, my heart belongs to Nauset Outer Beach. Throughout my life, my summers have been peppered with bouncy drives over the sands of the outer beach, and to this day, I am at my happiest when I’m cruising out past the green beach grass and over the dunes. And while the area now sees an uninvited guest or two (yes, I’m referring to the sharks) I still will find a safe spot close to shore (under the watchful eyes of others) to sneak in a dip — because the rush one gets from swimming in the refreshing surf is unparalleled!

Ballston Beach in Truro.

I very much enjoy spending time in the Outer Cape. One of my favorite beaches out that way is Ballston Beach in Truro. This is truly a breathtaking beach! The miles of beach with its pounding surf set against the dramatic cliffs are mesmerizing! Overlooking the beach is a short (though steep!) trail, Bearberry Hill. The views from the top of the hill are incredible and worth the climb!

Gorgeous views from Bearberry Trail, overlooking Ballston Beach in Truro.

If you only go to one ocean beach on Cape Cod, make it the ever-popular Coast Guard Beach in Eastham. Dr. Beach has ranked it in his Top 10 beaches in the country — and standing there, you’ll understand why immediately. Stunning National Seashore scenery, excellent swimming, and a sense of wild, open beauty that’s hard to find anywhere else. My advice: go in June, before peak season hits and parking becomes a serious commitment. In early summer, it’s still relatively manageable — and the beach is as beautiful as it ever gets.

Coast Guard in Eastham, from above.

Nauset Light Beach sits just up the road from Coast Guard Beach and is equally stunning — named for the iconic red-and-white Nauset Light that stands above the bluff. The views of the lighthouse from the beach are spectacular, the surf is beautiful, and it tends to be slightly less crowded than its famous neighbor. A wonderful alternative when Coast Guard is at its peak-season busiest.

Cahoon Hollow Beach in Wellfleet is one of those beaches that has everything — dramatic dune bluffs, beautiful surf, and the legendary Beachcomber right at the top of the stairs. The Beachcomber is one of the most beloved seasonal bars and restaurants on the Cape, and there’s nothing better than a cold drink on their deck after a swim, watching the sun dip toward the horizon. A perfect Cape Cod afternoon, start to finish.

There are so many other beaches I adore, it would take me days to write about them all. One thing is certain: whatever beach you choose on Cape Cod, you simply cannot go wrong. Every one of them is special in its own way.

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