Coast Guard Beach
Eastham, MA
A National Seashore beach backed by grassy dunes and a tidal marsh, with clean Atlantic surf and one of the Cape's most scenic approaches on foot from the parking area.
One of the Cape's best approaches on foot, with clean surf and dunes, the only catch is a lot that closes once full most summer days.
How we score beachesParking is limited in summer and the lot closes once full. A shuttle runs from Doane Rock in July and August.
Leashed dogs are allowed only on the section of beach north of the access point, with a seasonal closure April 1 through October 15 to protect nesting shorebirds and no dogs on lifeguard-protected sand in summer.
Cape Cod's beach season runs a tight window, essentially Memorial Day to Labor Day, with the water not really warming up until July. August is when it's most swimmable, reaching the upper 60s before cooling fast again after September.
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