Chapin Memorial Beach
Dennis, MA
Chapin Memorial Beach sits at the northwest corner of Dennis off Chapin Beach Road, where Cape Cod Bay draws far out at low tide. The flats run for a long stretch, and the tide comes back in fast. Four wheel drive vehicles have long been part of the scene here, and the dune shoreline stays quiet on weekdays.
Wide flats and dune scenery make it a favorite, but the soft sand access and fast returning tide need attention.
How we score beachesWatch the tide. The flats are wide and the tide returns quickly, so keep an eye on the water when you wander far out.
Dennis beach stickers and daily or weekly passes are sold in season. Check the town's fee page for the current rate.
The approach is over sand and dune access, with soft sand the whole way. It is not an easy trip for wheelchairs.
Summer is warmest, with water in the upper 60s by August. Cooler days in fall are good for long walks on the flats.
More Atlantic Coast beaches

Coast Guard Beach
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Surfside Beach
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Open Atlantic swell and a wide sandy shoreline about three miles from Nantucket town, popular with locals for its bodysurfing waves and quieter, less commercial feel.

Jones Beach State Park
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A classic Long Island beach with six and a half miles of shoreline, a landmark water tower, boardwalk, and a large outdoor amphitheater that hosts concerts through the summer.
