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The Best Beaches
It is difficult to identify the best beaches without specifying for whom: fearless surfers or timid toddlers, party types or incurable recluses? At the bayside and sound beaches, for instance, the water tends to be much more placid than it is on the ocean, and thus better for little ones who plan only to splash and muck about.
Sandy Neck Beach: This relatively unpopulated, 6-mile barrier beach, extending from the eastern edge of Sandwich to shelter Barnstable Harbor, features pretty little dunes seldom seen on the bayside. Hike in far enough (but avoid the nests of piping plovers), and you're sure to find a secluded spot. Adventurous types can even camp overnight with permission (tel. 508/362-8300).
Falmouth Heights Beach: On a clear day, you can see Martha's Vineyard from this hip beach in Falmouth's most picturesque neighborhood. The newer motels take in the same view as do grand turn-of-the-20th-century homes, and the beach fills up with families throughout the day. Off season, this beach is virtually deserted, perfect for romantic arm-in-arm strolling.
Nauset Beach: Located along the outer "elbow" of the Cape, this barrier beach descends all the way from East Orleans to a point opposite Chatham -- about 9 miles in all, each mile increasingly deserted. The entry point, however, is a body squeeze: It's here that the young crowd convenes to strut their stuff. Administered by the town of Orleans, but still considered part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, Nauset Beach has paid parking, restrooms, and a snack bar.
Cahoon Hollow Beach: Spectacular Cahoon Hollow Beach on the rough, frigid Atlantic Ocean is your reward at the end of a winding trek down a 75-foot dune.
Race Point Beach: Unlike many of the beaches closer to Provincetown, which are tacitly reserved for gays or lesbians, Race Point -- another Cape Cod National Seashore beach at the northernmost tip of the Cape -- is strictly nondenominational. Even whales are welcome -- they can often be spotted with the bare eye, surging toward Stellwagen Bank. The Province Lands Visitor Center at Race Point (tel. 508/487-1256) has particularly good views.
Jetties Beach: Among the region's beaches, Nantucket's have, as a rule, the best amenities; most have restrooms, showers, lifeguards, and food. For families and active types, Jetties Beach (just a half-mile from the center of town) can't be beat. Offering boat and windsurfing rentals, tennis courts, volleyball nets, a playground, and great fishing (off the eponymous jetties), it's also scenic (those jetties again) with calm, warm water.
Aquinnah Beach (formerly Gay Head; Martha's Vineyard): These landmark bluffs on the western extremity of Martha's Vineyard (call the Chamber of Commerce at tel. 508/693-0085 for directions) are threatened with erosion, so it's no longer politically correct to engage in multicolored mud baths, as hippies once did. Still, it's an incredibly scenic place to swim -- come early to beat the crowds.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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