Most Cape Cod beaches have no admission fee. You can walk in or bike in at no charge - even in the summer months. You'll only have to pay if you want to park your vehicle in the lot.
If you plan on wading more than waist deep, the answer is likely no. The waters around Cape Cod are not places where you can swim or surf without a fear of sharks. Leslie Reynolds is Chief Ranger for the Cape Cod National Seashore and manages the emergency and lifesaving services for the park.
The first Outer Cape town to limit beach access. WELLFLEET — Summertime is coming but the living is far from easy. The ocean beaches at Lecount Hollow and Newcomb Hollow are open only to residents and taxpayers or three-day, one-week, or two-week sticker holders.
Nauset Beach is an expansive, 10-mile long beach stretching to Chatham Harbor. While it is a large beach, it fills up quickly so plan to arrive early.
The six national seashore beaches where fees are collected are: Coast Guard and Nauset Light in Eastham, Marconi in Wellfleet, Head of the Meadow in Truro, and Race Point and Herring Cove in Provincetown.
Nauset & Skaket are fully staffed and charging admission daily from 7:30am-4:30pm through September 13.
Craigville Beach was open to anyone who could find a parking spot in the two lots. At all three beaches, there were no lifeguards; however, people were allowed to swim on their own. Right now, McGrath's focus is on making the beaches safe for the beachgoers, staff and lifeguards once the summer really gets going.
All dogs go to heaven: The Cape Cod National Seashore is open to leashed dogs year-round. (Stay away from shorebird areas and lifeguard-protected beaches; visit the website or Salt Pond Visitor Center for a guide to pet-friendly spots.)
Cape Cod Pet Friendly Beaches and Dog Parks
- Cape Cod National Seashore.
- Herring Cove Beach.
- Race Point Beach.
- Sandy Neck Beach Park.
- South Cape Beach State Park.
Where to Find the World's Most Extraordinary Beach Sea Glass
- Fort Bragg, California. Beach: MacKerricher State Park Glass Beach.
- Kauai, Hawaii. Beach: Hanapepe Bay Glass Beach.
- Vladivostok, Russia. Beach: Steklyashka Beach.
- Davenport, California. Beach: Davenport Beach.
- Ireland Island, Bermuda.
- Port Townsend, Washington.
- Seaham, England.
- Santa Barbara, California.
Best Beaches to Find Sea Glass
- Fort Bragg Sea Glass Beach, CA.
- Kauai Sea Glass Beach, Hawaii.
- Del Monte Beach, CA.
- Sea Glass Beach, Bermuda.
- Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
- Abaco Islands, Bahamas.
While sea glass might not be as easy to find as shells, following the tips and tricks below is a great place to start:
- Plan to go an hour before or after low tide.
- Look for a “dirty” beach.
- Don't just walk in a straight line.
- Walk with the sun behind your back.
- Look ahead, not down.
- Focus on shell beds.
- Have patience.
Naturally produced sea glass ("genuine sea glass") originates as pieces of glass from broken bottles, broken tableware, or even shipwrecks, which are rolled and tumbled in the ocean for years until all of their edges are rounded off, and the slickness of the glass has been worn to a frosted appearance.
Check Out These 10 Beaches For Beautiful Maine Sea Glass
- Mowry Beach, Lubec. VWBeetle / Flickr.
- Pebble Beach, Monhegan Island. threeseamonsters / Flickr.
- Sand Beach, Acadia National Park. subindie / Flickr.
- Sea Glass Beach, Great Diamond Island.
- Spring Point Beach, South Portland.
- Fortune's Rock Beach, Biddeford.
- Roque Bluffs State Park, Roque Bluffs.
- Fort Popham Beach, Phippsburg.
You'll Want To Visit These 5 Beaches For The Most Beautiful Massachusetts Sea Glass
- Nantasket Beach, Hull. Google/Chris Godfrey.
- Craigville Beach, Centerville. Tripadvisor/Travel5bugeuro.
- Race Point Beach, Provincetown. Google/Tami Thompson.
- Skaket Beach, Orleans. Google/Anthony Barone.
- Spectacle Island, Boston.
Finders Keepers: Hunting for Seaglass along the Connecticut Shoreline
- Sandy Point Beach and Bird Sanctuary – West Haven.
- Harvey's Beach – Old Saybrook.
- McCook Point Beach – East Lyme.
- Cove Island Park – Stamford.
- Silver Sands State Park – Milford.
- duBois Beach – Stonington.
- Hammonasset State Park – Madison.
Beaches in the Downeast and Acadia region of Maine provide abundant sea glass, with some beachcombers finding up to 15 pieces per hour. Acadia National Park has two primary beaches where sea glass is easily found: Sand Beach and Frenchman's Bay. Pale pink sea glass is one of the most sought-after in this area.
