Cape Cod in Massachusetts is a world-famous spot for summer vacations, known for its beautiful beaches and laid-back atmosphere by the ocean in lovely sunshine. Perfect way to enjoy your summers lounging on the beaches, dining in the restaurants and browsing galleries and shops in historic Falmouth. Let us show you that a Cape Cod summer isn't only Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket.
Falmouth being the 2nd largest community on Cape Cod, with more than 68 miles of coastline of stunning white sand beaches, you can easily imagine there is more than one popular beach here. There are ten public beaches under the supervision of the Falmouth Beach Committee. These public beaches have lifeguards, offer swimming lessons, and parking.
The Best Beaches in Falmouth, Ma.
These gorgeous Falmouth beaches have their own uniqueness to offer visitors and regulars. You'd see a surf drive beach, a small beach, a quiet beach, a beach with tidal pools, a popular beach or more. Kids and youngsters can enjoy collecting shells and other sea treasures from shallow tidal creeks, there are areas with high winds to surf and dive and do kite sailing and windsurfing. There are marshes ideal for kayaking and paddle boarding. Falmouth Heights is popular among photographers for sunrise, Chapoquoit, Old Silver and Stoney Beach for sunset photo ops. These beaches make for spectacular backdrops for family portrait photo ops or events like weddings. For self-exploration in Falmouth, there is the Falmouth Visitor site that can show you where to find your rental needs for your Falmouth vacation
Surf Drive Beach
Surf Drive Beach is a wide stretch of smooth sand giving stunning vistas of Falmouth Heights and Vineyard Sound. Surf Drive is popular as a family-friendly beach because of its kiddie pool and the Doggz & Hoggz Snack Shack with its smoothies, lobster rolls and fare sought after by kids.
Located on the corner of Shore Street and Shore Drive, Surf Drive Beach is not far from Main Street in downtown Falmouth, with an ample sized parking lot on the opposite side for a reasonable daily parking fee. The parking lot has a water tower where visitors can rinse off sand before getting into their cars.
Its calm waters are great for swimming, Surf Drive beach has soft sand, although at the high tide mark, you'd find seaweed. There is a break wall that created an alcove-like area, making it safe for toddlers and young kids. There are also restrooms, snack bar food concessions easily accessible.
Surf Drive Beach also houses the Falmouth Beach Committee, in the Eileen T. Mitchell Bath House, where, among other services, season resident beach stickers are sold.
Old Silver Beach
In West & North Falmouth, there is Old Silver Beach, a huge fan-favorite and another family-friendly beach easily accessible on Quaker Road. Very popular because of its gentle waves and warm blue waters from Buzzards Bay and great soft white sand for sun-worshipping. Old Silver Beach has well trained staff, lifeguards, handicap-accessible restrooms and a rinsing station and a snack bar.
As one of the popular beaches in Falmouth, it's advisable to get there early to get a nice spot for a whole day's outing. Top your day with shots of a picturesque sunset in one of the Falmouth beaches famous for sunset views!
Falmouth Heights Beach
On Falmouth Heights Road opposite the side of Nantucket Sound and in the heart of Falmouth is Falmouth Heights Beach, a long crescent-shaped shore of sand. With its easy access, it's been called the "epicenter" of summer fun and action, not quiet relaxation. This area of Falmouth can claim bragging rights to warm calm waters that even with some rocky areas, there is Familyland, the term for the eastern side that is great for children. There isn't any concession stand but there are nearby establishments for takeout or drinks.
Chapoquoit Beach
On Chapoquoit Road, West Falmouth lies Chapoquoit Beach, nicknamed "Chappy" probably for its wavy seas, making it famous among kiteboarders and windsurfers. Swimming is great for various ages because the tide dips gradually, giving way to other water sports like body surfing and "boogie boarding" under the watchful eyes of the parents.
Chapoquoit Beach has no food concession but there's a regular stop-over by the ice cream truck. Top your day at Chappy with a crafted=to-your-order sandwich at the famous butcher shop of West Falmouth Market on the highway.
Stony Beach
On the coast of Woods Hole is a beach contrary to its name, Stony or Stoney Beach, it's nice and sandy. Summer time ushers in a mix of international visitors, scientists and their families, who come also for seasonal research at local laboratories of the Marine Biological Laboratory and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. These two world-renowned organizations have had 49 Nobel Laureates teach, take courses or done research here in Woods Hole.
The smooth sand and tide makes for safe wading for several yards and the surf is calm enough for water sports like kayaking and paddle boarding. Without any food concession stand, visitors have easy access to Water Street and its many takeout offerings. Not to forget too, is that Stony Beach has one of the best views of the spectacular Falmouth sunset, in any season.
Menauhant Beach
Located on East Falmouth, Menauhant Beach (pronounced "Min-nont") is one memorable spot of picture-pretty sand dunes, warm waters and mild waves divided into two sections by an inlet to Bournes Pond. Popular with locals and tourists, Menauhant Beach is located on Menauhant Road off Central Avenue. No food concession stands here too, just the ice cream truck on occasional runs and Kenyon's Market nearby.
Menauhant Road, being in a quiet neighborhood of the Cape Cod southern shores, makes Menauhant Beach not as busy or crowded as other beaches. It is a very relaxing destination, and safe, with lifeguards during the summer break season. There are restrooms and outdoor showers and - a snack bar, and public parking for a daily parking fee of $10 (unless, as a resident, you obtain a Falmouth beach sticker).
Wood Neck Beach
Wood Neck Beach is a hidden gem off Sippewissett Road running from Palmer Avenue in downtown Falmouth to Woods Hole. A favorite of families and marine enthusiasts young and old, Wood Neck has grassy dunes and lush green marshland, perfect for collecting horseshoe crabs and other sea-living beings. The terrain is quite rocky but by the shore are places to set up your beach chair and picnic tables and enjoy dining with your family or get lost in your book with the low tide tickling your toes.
Megansett Beach
A visit to Megansett Beach is to experience a throwback to summer vacations of your childhood or youth. Dotted with weathered cottages fringed with purple hydrangeas, Megansett is next to the Yacht Club and harbor, with its dock that has seen the jump-off summer ritual for generations. The beach gets busy launching sailboats, small power boats, kayaks and paddle boards. Falmouth families flock here in the summer to swim its warm inviting waters, sit by the shore and watch the sunset, or picnic with friends, or take in the picturesque vista of Megansett Harbor and Buzzards Bay at sunset. Beyond the shore is anchored a raft for the kids to jump to the waters. A sandbar appears during low tide, for wading and exploring and gathering seashells. Beachcombing is another favored activity because of the sandy bottom's bounty of scallops, mussels, boat shells, quahogs, jingle shells, aka "mermaid's toenails" that eventually wash up on the shore.
For the more adventurous, you can have a go at shellfishing. Recreational shellfishing is allowed on weekends, with a Falmouth shellfishing permit, of course.
For a full day at this beach, you can get your supplies from the Wild Harbor General Store nearby because there is no concession stand here.
Bristol Beach
Bristol Beach location is in Falmouth Heights and Teaticket. Quieter than Falmouth Heights Beach, this beach on the eastern side has waters ideal for children and families, the western side has a drop off that would be more to the liking of experienced swimmers.
There is a small creek between Little Pond and Vineyard Sound, where kids can find sea creatures that got caught in the tidal surge. Not quite a small beach, Bristol Beach is a vast stretch of sand and with its calm waves just interesting enough for young kids, is ideal for families, although it doesn't get overcrowded even at the height of summer break season. There is also plenty of parking available.
