Sandy Neck Beach
Barnstable, MA
Sandy Neck is a long barrier beach curling along the Cape Cod Bay shore of Barnstable, with high dunes on one side and salt marsh on the other. The gatehouse beach has lifeguards and facilities, and the rest of the spit stretches for miles toward Sandy Neck Light, with off road driving by permit.
Miles of dunes and marsh make it a genuine local institution, though shorebird closures and a dog ban in summer take some getting used to.
How we score beachesWalk a few minutes past the crowded gatehouse stretch and the beach thins out fast. Check the town's shorebird closures before you plan a long walk, since nesting areas are fenced off spring and summer.
A large town lot sits at the gatehouse, with a daily fee for non residents in season. Off road driving on the beach requires a separate permit and specific gear.
The lot to the beach is a short walk, with seasonal restrooms and a snack shack nearby. Beyond that, the sand is soft and the dune trails are unpaved.
Dogs are prohibited on the bathing beaches from May 15 to September 15, and leashed dogs are allowed on the back dune trails.
Summer is the busiest, with the gatehouse beach at its warmest in July and August. Fall and winter are quiet, with dramatic dune light and cold wind.
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