BeachMapThe Best Beaches in Cape Cod & the Islands
From the Outer Cape’s National Seashore to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, these are the beaches worth the trip — and the ones whose lots sell out by mid-morning on a summer Saturday. Check live parking before you load the car.
9 beaches mapped · Summer 2026 · updated June 14, 2026
Featured
-
Sponsored
Outer Cape Bike & Beach Rentals
Skip the lot that’s already full — rent a bike in Eastham and ride the Cape Cod Rail Trail straight to the National Seashore.
Reserve a bike →
Top beaches & swimming spots
-
Coast Guard Beach
Cape Cod National Seashore
A National Seashore classic — wide sand and big Atlantic surf. The lot fills by ~10am, after which it’s shuttle-only from the Little Creek staging area.
Family beachTicketedView on the live map → -
Nauset Beach
Orleans
Miles of dune-backed Atlantic beach with dependable surf and a snack bar — the big town lot still sells out on hot weekends.
Surf spotTicketedView on the live map → -
Marconi Beach
Cape Cod National Seashore
Dramatic 40-foot dune cliffs and powerful surf on the Outer Cape; the clifftop lot is the only parking and goes early.
Public beachTicketedView on the live map → -
Mayflower Beach
Dennis
Warm bay water and huge low-tide flats you can walk out into — a family favorite, which is why the lot fills first thing.
Family beachTicketedView on the live map → -
Craigville Beach
Centerville
A wide, gently-sloping south-side beach with calm water — the quintessential mid-Cape swimming spot.
Family beachTicketedView on the live map → -
South Beach
Martha's Vineyard
Katama’s three-mile Atlantic strand on the Vineyard — real surf and rip currents; come early or bike in.
Surf spotFreeView on the live map → -
Surfside Beach
Nantucket
Nantucket’s most popular south-shore beach, with surf, a snack bar, and a flat bike path from town that beats the tiny lot.
Public beachFreeView on the live map →
Hidden gems & dog beaches
-
Race Point Beach
Cape Cod National Seashore
Where the Cape curls back on itself — seals, the occasional whale offshore, and the best sunset on the peninsula.
Hidden gemTicketedView on the live map → -
Sandy Neck Beach
West Barnstable
Six miles of barrier-beach dunes on Cape Cod Bay — quieter than the Outer Cape if you arrive before the lot caps.
Hidden gemTicketedView on the live map →
Cape Cod & the Islands beaches — FAQ
- How do I avoid the Cape Cod beach parking nightmare?
- Open the live map — every beach shows a real-time parking status (open, filling, full, or queue) reported by other beachgoers. National Seashore lots (Coast Guard, Marconi, Race Point) typically fill by 10–11am on summer weekends; the town lots not far behind. Arrive before 9:30am, or bike in where there’s a rail trail or path.
- Which Cape Cod beaches are best for young kids?
- Bay-side beaches like Mayflower (Dennis) and Craigville (Centerville) have warm, calm water and gentle slopes. The Outer Cape’s Atlantic beaches have stronger surf and currents.
- Can I drive to the Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket beaches?
- You can, but island parking is scarce and the ferry car fee is steep — most visitors bike or take a shuttle. South Beach (MV) and Surfside (Nantucket) both have bike paths from town.
- Can I add a beach or report parking?
- Yes — open the live map, drop a pin or tap a parking status. Your report updates the map for everyone in real time.