We went to Cape Cod last August, and the water was so miserably cold, I had to force myself to get in, it felt like my organs were shutting down one by one. This was at the actual cape cod bay, the sound side is a little more tolerable.

If you definitely want to be able to swim, I would choose a resort with a heated pool.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If water is cold in the Cape, can anyone speak to whether it's much better on Long Island?

Or, any other suggestions about July beach vacations on the East Coast (other than NJ/DE/MD/VA). Preferably relatively near an airport or not too far drive.

For example, love NC outer banks, but a 6-8 hour drive seems pretty long.

The Cape is worth the ride. OBX, not so much. Can't speak to LI, but I know that most Jersey beaches are actually quiet nice.

Agree that Cape Cod is worth the drive. I would counter that OBX is worth it too. We love Hatteras Island. Somewhat remote, quiet, and warm water.

Agree with the others.

Bay side is best bet if you want warmer water. The long tide variations means you have hours of splashing at low tide and tidal pools, which are much warmer than the always cold ocean water.

We always stayed up in the Truro part of the Cape. For me that is Cape Cod. We'd go over to the Ocean side maybe once a week, the rest of the time we were on the bay side. P'town or Wellfleet for nice dinners or an evening stroll with ice cream.

Anonymous wrote:If water is cold in the Cape, can anyone speak to whether it's much better on Long Island?

Or, any other suggestions about July beach vacations on the East Coast (other than NJ/DE/MD/VA). Preferably relatively near an airport or not too far drive.

For example, love NC outer banks, but a 6-8 hour drive seems pretty long.

The Cape is worth the ride. OBX, not so much. Can't speak to LI, but I know that most Jersey beaches are actually quiet nice.

Anonymous wrote:The nicest resorts are the Chatham Bars Inn and the Wequasett. Both have pools, boats and water toys, etc. CBI has a beach but both do boat shuttles to North Beach. Good restaurants at both, I prefer the restaurants at Wequasett. CBI walkable to town, both have cars to drive you around.

Mid July is fine for the water. The ocean will be cold, but it's always cold. Wequasett is on pleasant bay which is a little warmer.

+1
I have heard CBI is great. I am looking at Wequasett, and am now considering a stay there - it is stunning!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up on the coast of MA. We swam all summer but it's never warm.

That's not quite true.

The way the tides work in Eastham and north eastham, the sand is exposed at low tide for hours and heats up enough to keep everything warm.

The other nice things is it provides hours of low tide entertainment for smaller kids who can wade through small tidal pools and run around on the flats.

+100

Certain beaches are quite warm.

Anonymous wrote:I grew up on the coast of MA. We swam all summer but it's never warm.

That's not quite true.

The way the tides work in Eastham and north eastham, the sand is exposed at low tide for hours and heats up enough to keep everything warm.

The other nice things is it provides hours of low tide entertainment for smaller kids who can wade through small tidal pools and run around on the flats.

The nicest resorts are the Chatham Bars Inn and the Wequasett. Both have pools, boats and water toys, etc. CBI has a beach but both do boat shuttles to North Beach. Good restaurants at both, I prefer the restaurants at Wequasett. CBI walkable to town, both have cars to drive you around.

Mid July is fine for the water. The ocean will be cold, but it's always cold. Wequasett is on pleasant bay which is a little warmer.

If water is cold in the Cape, can anyone speak to whether it's much better on Long Island?

Or, any other suggestions about July beach vacations on the East Coast (other than NJ/DE/MD/VA). Preferably relatively near an airport or not too far drive.

For example, love NC outer banks, but a 6-8 hour drive seems pretty long.

Wequasset is gorgeous. Not the way I would do the Cape but YMMV. Ocean's Edge is another resort - mostly condo rentals with lots of onsite amenities.

If you have a town in mind, you can google the name of the beach to find the average water temps. We go to Orleans and alternate between ocean side (Nauset), bay side (Skaket), and a bunch of ponds. They're all pretty damn cold!

Anonymous wrote:Considering a Cape Cod vacation with 2 kids -- MS and HS. Wondering if swimming is possible/comfortable or if it is too cold in mid-July. Is it possible to swim in just bathing suit or is some kind of wetsuit top and/or bottom recommended?

Any recommended towns that are good? Both kids prefer ocean side to bay side.

One family member is lobbying for staying in a high-end resort with a pool, meals, amenities, etc. Is there anything like this on the Cape or is it mostly just rental houses?

Also thinking of flying to Boston, renting a car and driving to CC. How is Boston - Ptown Ferry?

There are a few resorts - Red Jacket (teens would enjoy), Cape Codder (younger kids would enjoy).You don't really need a "resort type" place, there is plenty to do on the Cape. Chatham is preppy - tourists seem to enjoy it. Hyannis has Main Street. P'Town is mostly artsy. PP is correct that it really does depend where you are thinking of staying re: water temp and what the beach looks like (high tide vs. low tide, rocks vs. no rocks, private only vs. public access, etc.) Most areas have canoe/kayak/water sports, which the teens would probably enjoy.

Boston to Ptown ferry is a lovely way to avoid traffic and get to the Cape. BUT, I only do this when someone is picking me up. The PITA of getting the car on and off the boat undoes the time savings and convenience. Also, you'd then want to stay outer Cape (which you might want anyway).

The ocean will be cold. You can swim without a wet suit but most days it's between refreshing and freezing. The bay and ponds are much warmer. Orleans is a good town if you want easy access to all three.

I don't know resorts quite like you mention. There are places ... http://www.wequassett.com/ but it's not like being at a resort in Jamaica.

The honest answer is ... it depends. It really depends on where you are (bay side, sound side, ocean side, freshwater ponds) and what the weather is like. If it's cool (high 60s/70s) you won't want to swim at all. If it's HOT (mid-80s), then the sound side beaches will feel nice. The ocean side beaches are NEVER warm. The freshwater or mixed ponds are often just fine for swimming. With young kids, we reserve our real swimming for the pond, and use the beach for sitting, walking, splashing.

I grew up on the coast of MA. We swam all summer but it's never warm.

Considering a Cape Cod vacation with 2 kids -- MS and HS. Wondering if swimming is possible/comfortable or if it is too cold in mid-July. Is it possible to swim in just bathing suit or is some kind of wetsuit top and/or bottom recommended?

Any recommended towns that are good? Both kids prefer ocean side to bay side.

One family member is lobbying for staying in a high-end resort with a pool, meals, amenities, etc. Is there anything like this on the Cape or is it mostly just rental houses?

Also thinking of flying to Boston, renting a car and driving to CC. How is Boston - Ptown Ferry?