Outer Cape Cod Beaches
A summertime visit to Cape Cod just wouldn't be complete without some time at the ocean, and these beaches are some of the most picturesque in the area. Below is Nauset Rental's guide to the Best Outer Cape Beaches, by town.
ORLEANS
The town of Orleans sits in the elbow of the arm of Cape Cod. As a repeat destination for most families, Orleans beaches keeps visitors coming back every year. It bustles with beachgoers in the summertime, attracting young and old swimmers, boogie boarders, surfers and those who prefer calm waters. Both Nauset Beach and Skaket Beach offer enough variance to cater to whatever your beach desires may be. Family friendly low-tide flats on the bayside and roaring Atlantic surf on the oceanside bookend freshwater kettle ponds, miles of salt marsh, and endless possibilities for water adventures.
Nauset Beach
Named one of the "Top Things to Do in Cape Cod", a day relaxing on Nauset Beach's miles and miles of white sand is one of the best ways to spend your time in the Orleans area. Learn More>
Skaket Beach
Skaket Beach is the ultimate kid-friendly destination, with warm, calm and clear bay waters and soft sands perfect for sculpting sandcastles. Learn More>
EASTHAM
Eastham may be a small town, but what it lacks in development it makes up in preserved natural beauty. In the early 1960’s, the U.S. Government deemed much of the outer Cape a National Park, resulting in nearly 40 miles of protected lands named Cape Cod National Seashore. The town holds the main National Park Service visitor facility, the Salt Pond Visitor Center, and several notable beaches. Be sure to take a right and a left once in a while to explore a bit of history, nature and beach in between.
Eastham Favorites:
First Encounter
Coast Guard Beach
WELLFLEET
Wellfleet is known for tall dunes, surf culture, oysters and a laid-back beach town energy. If tall dunes and surf aren't in your vacation repertoire, the bayside beaches in Wellfleet have their own unique landscape. Mellow and easily accessible, these beaches are perfect for families with small children or those who require more assistance getting to and from the car. Depending on the tides and the beach, you can enjoy a relaxing float or paddle, have front row seats to a sunset or witness the town's prodigious aquaculture industry: oyster farming.
Wellfleet Favorites:
Mayo Beach
Lecount Hollow
TRURO
Truro is a hidden gem of the Outer Cape. On the way to Provincetown, visitors often breeze through this small town without a second glance. For those who know and are looking for a quieter beach experience, quaint shopping, and a cultural center, Truro is the place to be. Handicap accessible beaches, views of Provincetown on the bayside, surfing on the oceanside, with sandwiches, chocolate and artisanal coffee in between.