Lighthouse Beach
Edgartown, MA
Lighthouse Beach lies just below the Edgartown Lighthouse at the end of North Water Street, where the harbor mouth opens toward Chappaquiddick. The stretch is narrow, and the light from the water in the morning is the reason many people show up before breakfast. You can watch the Chappy ferry cross the channel from the sand.
The lighthouse view and easy walk from Edgartown village are hard to beat, though currents at the harbor mouth make it better for looking than for swimming.
How we score beachesThis is the spot for sunrise. Walk down from town before the day trippers arrive and you will often have the beach mostly to yourself.
Free parking is available near the end of North Water Street, but street space is tight in summer. Walking in from Edgartown's village center takes only a few minutes.
The approach is flat and short from the street, with soft sand at the beach itself. There are no lifeguards or built facilities.
Leashed dogs are permitted year round.
Tidal currents near the harbor mouth can run strong, so pay attention when swimming. Early mornings from June through September are the most pleasant.
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