The best beaches in the world
Cape Cod is part of Massachusetts, jutting into the Atlantic and laden with seaside cottages, sunset sailboats, and sandcastle builders. In New England, if you want a day at the beach, Cape Cod is number one. More than 400 miles of perfect coastline hug the beautiful peninsula, creating a setting with miles of picture-perfect beaches. Nearby, there’s always a trail to hike, a path to cycle, or a fishing village to explore. And the seafood? Some of the freshest available. Lively and colorful, Cape Cod pulls you in ferociously and just won’t let go.
There are fifteen towns on Cape Cod, each featuring numerous beaches and areas for outdoor recreation along with shops, restaurants, entertainment, and more. Provincetown tops Cape Cod like a cherry on a sundae, and still thrives since the old days when artists and writers claimed it as a summer retreat. Herring Cove Beach, Harbor Beach, and Long Point Beach are here, but most important is Cape Cod National Seashore, officially beginning in Provincetown and ending in southern-based Chatham. Created in 1961, this national treasure comprises more than 43,000 acres with beaches, coastal pine forests, and ponds.
The north and west beaches of Cape Cod look out to Cape Cod Bay where the gentlest surf is, making it ideal for smaller children. Beaches along the southern edge look to Nantucket Sound and though conditions can be wavy, little ones are still safe. Undertows and large surf are regular conditions along the beaches facing east to the Atlantic. Not as advisable for kids but adults enjoy it immensely.
Rolling dunes, scenic lighthouses, and gleaming white sands are found at Cape Cod’s best beaches. On the North Atlantic side in Orleans is Rock Harbor, a pine-lined harbor with a white-sand beach and amazing sunsets. A short drive to Barnstable is Sandy Neck Point, part of the Great Salt Marsh, a 4,000-acre wildlife sanctuary. The beach is an eye-popper, with dunes lining much of it and the marsh just beyond. Eastham’s Nauset Beach, Lighthouse Beach in Chatham, and Race Point Beach in Provincetown are three more of the best beaches on Cape Cod you won’t want to miss.
Cape Cod beaches fill the need for a quintessential beach holiday. Think lazy, sunny days, a wide variety of beaches, great summer rentals, and a scenic setting for relaxing days and entertaining evenings. With major attractions like Cape Cod National Seashore, the waterfront really is the star and a true thing of beauty. The cape [...]