Surf Drive Beach
Falmouth, MA
Surf Drive Beach is Falmouth's main town beach on Vineyard Sound, with views across to Martha's Vineyard and a bath house that doubles as the place to buy parking passes for the town's lots. It runs along a long stretch of Surf Drive, so there is room to find your own patch of sand even on a busy day.
Easy access, the bath house, and a long beach make it a local staple, though the lot fills on hot weekends.
How we score beachesSurf Drive Beach Extension, a quieter stretch nearby, is the workaround when the main lot is busy. The bath house sells passes for other Falmouth beaches too.
Daily parking runs about $15 in season, with season passes available at the bath house. Check current rates.
Facilities are close to the lot; expect a short walk over sand to the water.
Sound water is mild by August. The beach faces south, so afternoon sun lasts late.
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.
