Craigville Beach
Barnstable, MA
Craigville Beach in Centerville is one of the most popular beaches on Cape Cod, a long stretch of sand on Nantucket Sound with a very large parking lot and lifeguards in season. On summer weekends it turns into a scene, with volleyball, coolers, and a steady stream of surf and sun seekers.
Big, sandy, and easy to reach for visitors, though weekend crowds are hard to avoid.
How we score beachesArrive early on summer weekends, because even the big lot fills. Covell's and Long Beach, close by, are quieter alternatives if you are a resident.
Non-residents can pay about $25 a day in season. Check current rates with Barnstable.
A large lot sits close to the sand; expect a short walk over the beach itself.
Nantucket Sound water is mild by August. The crowd peaks on July and August weekends.
More Atlantic Coast beaches

Coast Guard Beach
Eastham, MA · Atlantic Coast
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.

Surfside Beach
Nantucket, MA · Atlantic Coast
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
Wantagh, NY · Atlantic Coast
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.
