The Top Five Best Cape Cod Beaches

Race Point isn't the most convenient beach on the Cape, but it's the most remote, and has an incredible view of Stellwagen Bank, the marine sanctuary in Massachusetts Bay. If you're lucky, you might be able to spot a whale or two off the coast with the naked eye. Race Point is also far away from downtown Provincetown. Race Point also has miles of hiking available on the trails (which are actually bike trails). To get to Race Point, head as far north as you can go on Route 6 (the sign says east, but you're really heading north). Eventually you'll see signage for Race Point. Take that road, and you'll come to a giant parking lot with sand dunes in the background. That's Race Point Beach.

Above, right: Race Point Lighthouse Mousepad

From Route 6, you can take the Orleans rotary to Rock Harbor Road. This leads directly to Rock Harbor, which has some of the most unique scenery for a Cape Cod beach. Pine trees line harbor and head out into the water, facing west. At sunset, you can catch a glimpse of one of the best sunsets on Cape Cod, and one of the few western facing beaches on Cape Cod. Get there early if you plan on seeing the sunset, as it tends to get crowded in the summer.

Right: Rock Harbor Poster

Sandy Neck is located off of Route 6A in Sandwich, at the end of Sandy Neck Road. The end of the peninsula is actually located in West Barnstable, while the entrance is in Sandwich. Sandy Neck is part of the 4,000 acre Great Salt Marsh, which is a haven for local birds and wildlife. At the end of the peninsula, you can find beach parking, as well as the decommissioned Sandy Neck Lighthouse (now private property). Sandy Neck Beach is a one of the Cape's most scenic beaches, with sand dunes making up much of the beach, and the Great Salt Marsh just in the distance.

Even on a hot day, the water at Nauset Beach is frigid (to be expected at almost any beach on Cape Cod). Nauset Beach boasts clean, soft sands with no dirt or clay, beautiful views, and some of the biggest waves on the East Coast. The fee for the beach is expensive, so you'll want to spend the entire day there. Pack a lunch, bring a cooler, and bring enough money to visit Liam's Clam Shack. To get to Nauset Beach, take Route 6 to Orleans, then follow Beach Rd. Further to the north, you can find Nauset Light Beach in Eastham,another very popular sandy beach.

Right: Nauset Beach Postcard

Lighthouse Beach, just like the name implies, is located at Chatham Lighthouse in Chatham. While the water might be a little cooler and rougher on Lighthouse Beach than the south facing Nantucket Sound beaches, it's the experience and scenery that makes this beach great. Across the water, you can see the beginning spits of Monomoy Island, home to some frequent seals that visit the island. The sands of the beach are incredibly white, with Chatham Lighthouse as the backdrop behind you.

Top right: Seals at Monomoy Island Postcard