Public beaches in Cape Cod - any good ones?

[Anonymous]

We have rented houses with friends in Dennis and Wellfleet that - shocking! - didn't have private beaches. We weren't crazy about the public beaches around there (Corporation & Mayflower were the main two). They were very crowded and the water and beach had a lot of seaweed/muck. Are there better public beaches? Or do we need to find a house rental that has its own private beach? FWIW - our friends from Boston have stayed in Dennis since they were kids and are perfectly fine with the public beaches there. I guess that's just what they know.

And no need to chime in with snotty insults about how our friends don't have family homes there with their own private beaches.

We enjoy spending time with them and would just like to have a better beach experience next time.

[Anonymous]

The national seashore beaches are wonderful. They run from eastham (Coast Guard) to Ptown. I love Nauset Beach in Orleans but it does get crowded. Those are all ocean beaches, sounds like you were on the bay side?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The national seashore beaches are wonderful. They run from eastham (Coast Guard) to Ptown. I love Nauset Beach in Orleans but it does get crowded. Those are all ocean beaches, sounds like you were on the bay side?

Yes, my friend was freaked out by shark sightings (and maybe an attack a few years ago?) so we didn't swim on the ocean side. We can ditch them for a day for clear water. Did we need a special car tag to drive there though?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The national seashore beaches are wonderful. They run from eastham (Coast Guard) to Ptown. I love Nauset Beach in Orleans but it does get crowded. Those are all ocean beaches, sounds like you were on the bay side?

Yes, my friend was freaked out by shark sightings (and maybe an attack a few years ago?) so we didn't swim on the ocean side. We can ditch them for a day for clear water. Did we need a special car tag to drive there though?

It's public land. You just need to pay for parking. And go early. There have been sharks in the bay this year too but the chance of a shark attack is super low.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The national seashore beaches are wonderful. They run from eastham (Coast Guard) to Ptown. I love Nauset Beach in Orleans but it does get crowded. Those are all ocean beaches, sounds like you were on the bay side?

Yes, my friend was freaked out by shark sightings (and maybe an attack a few years ago?) so we didn't swim on the ocean side. We can ditch them for a day for clear water. Did we need a special car tag to drive there though?

It's public land. You just need to pay for parking. And go early. There have been sharks in the bay this year too but the chance of a shark attack is super low.

Most beaches at the Cape are private, they just don't say so. There are certain parameters. Most people don't know what they are. I have never once seen a "mucky" beach there.

As for sharks, they are only where there are seals, and that is only one or two places.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The national seashore beaches are wonderful. They run from eastham (Coast Guard) to Ptown. I love Nauset Beach in Orleans but it does get crowded. Those are all ocean beaches, sounds like you were on the bay side?

Yes, my friend was freaked out by shark sightings (and maybe an attack a few years ago?) so we didn't swim on the ocean side. We can ditch them for a day for clear water. Did we need a special car tag to drive there though?

It's public land. You just need to pay for parking. And go early. There have been sharks in the bay this year too but the chance of a shark attack is super low.

What is public land? You think "National Seashore" means public land? LOL!

[Anonymous]

Uh. It does mean that. It's a national park, therefore public land.

[Anonymous]

Most places in the U.S.and I believe the scale too there is no such thing as a private beach.

[Anonymous]

Lacounts and Marconi are beautiful. If you have little kids or just want a break from the ocean check out Gull pond. Marconi is a national park so you can pay daily. Other two are town beaches but you can get a sticker through your rental.

And you have to try nauset ice cream.... and moby dicks.... and oysters at the bookstore... and fresh bread at the French bakery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most places in the U.S.and I believe the scale too there is no such thing as a private beach.

There are still private homes that lease their land from the federal government, but no private ocean front property on the outer cape in welfleet.

That being said, if you want to walk a quarter of a mile from a parking lot you can find yourself on a beach with no one else in sight. Lots of people who like to bath naked do the walk to enjoy some freedom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Uh. It does mean that. It's a national park, therefore public land.

Nope. I don't think OP wants your false information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most places in the U.S.and I believe the scale too there is no such thing as a private beach.

LOL.

[Anonymous]

Coast Guard beach is awesome. Also Cahoon's Hollow, which has great waves and the Beachcomber.

If you like Nauset, explore Orleans - there are tons of little inlets and coves between Nauset and Rock Harbor. Some have spaces for a few cars. I don't know if there's a map to any of this but regulars tend to figure it out.

On the bay side is Skaket - great for little kids or taking a walk in the tidal pools. If you hit it at high tide, it's a good relatively safe surf (and much warmer than Nauset.)

Also there are tons of lakes and ponds around mid-Cape. My kids actually enjoy these more than the ocean. Don't ask me why but it may be water temperature.

BTW I've spent most summers of my life at the Cape and I don't know anyone who has a "private beach." I'm sure they exist but it's not a MA thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lacounts and Marconi are beautiful. If you have little kids or just want a break from the ocean check out Gull pond. Marconi is a national park so you can pay daily. Other two are town beaches but you can get a sticker through your rental.

And you have to try nauset ice cream.... and moby dicks.... and oysters at the bookstore... and fresh bread at the French bakery.

Thanks! I've heard of the French bakery. Haven't quite made it up there though. Next time!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Coast Guard beach is awesome. Also Cahoon's Hollow, which has great waves and the Beachcomber.

If you like Nauset, explore Orleans - there are tons of little inlets and coves between Nauset and Rock Harbor. Some have spaces for a few cars. I don't know if there's a map to any of this but regulars tend to figure it out.

On the bay side is Skaket - great for little kids or taking a walk in the tidal pools. If you hit it at high tide, it's a good relatively safe surf (and much warmer than Nauset.)

Also there are tons of lakes and ponds around mid-Cape. My kids actually enjoy these more than the ocean. Don't ask me why but it may be water temperature.

BTW I've spent most summers of my life at the Cape and I don't know anyone who has a "private beach." I'm sure they exist but it's not a MA thing.

Thank you!!