Nauset Beach
Nauset Beach
4.5
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42 within 3 miles
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50 within 6 miles
See what other travelers are saying
- 46oceangirlWestford, Massachusetts1,688 contributionsOne of my all time favorite beaches!We were there on a Tuesday and they are only letting in 50% in the parking lot and its $20 CASH only to park. The lot is huge, we went way down, less crowded. There i a food truck there with tables that are socially distanced etc. There are new stairs up and down, to social distance and there is a matt that helps going on the sand to the beach. They have lifeguards. Lots of seals, no sharks at the time we went. The sand is soft and powdery. Its just a beautiful beach, long and plenty of shells and rocks when you walk but not the water. The ocean is clean, sandy bottom no big rocks etc. Just a fantastic family beach. Warning, go early or you won't get in especially on a weekend!! They have porto potty' and changing bays for men and woman.Visited July 2020Written July 22, 2020
- MWK51Hudson, Ohio1,185 contributionsLovely Fall Sunday afternoonWe arrived at this beach with a friend who lives in Orleans and has a beach sticker, so there was no fee. The weekend after Labour Day, it was not crowded, finding a parking spot at mid day was not a problem. There would food trucks for those who wished to purchase food. Changing rooms and rest rooms in the Administration building (which is close to be covered in sand). This was the first weekend dogs were allowed back on the beach, so many of the groups had their animal with them. I am not a big fan of dogs, but they all were leashed and the owners seemed to be cleaning up after them. (Dog waste bags are available as you walk towards the beach from the parking lot). The sand was fine and soft, a joy to walk on. The waves were rolling and it was a lovely sight.Visited September 2020Written September 29, 2020
- KCLizardState College, Pennsylvania629 contributionsNice beach with facilitiesThis is a big beach with soft sand, and a nice dune behind it. There are lifeguards here during the day (at least on weekends), and there are restrooms, changing rooms, and food trucks. The parking is a bit expensive ($30), and the nearby lot fills early so we ended up in the secondary lot that requires a bit of a hike down to the beach. Overall, it is a nice beach for families.Visited July 2021Written August 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
755 reviews
Excellent
527
Very good
181
Average
31
Poor
10
Terrible
6
Nicole
4 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
We visited in the early evening in July. Parking was free when we arrived at 5:30pm. The walk down the dunes to the beach was not too far or steep going down or back up. It was not overcrowded at this time, but people were still enjoying the beach. Despite the horizon being misty and the sky overcast, we found this beach to be majestic and naturally stunning. The sand was clean and soft with a thin layer of rocks and shells near the tide line. The water was very clean, but a chilling 59 degrees when we visited, we didn’t swim but soaked our feet. Perfect beach for walking and spotting seals!
Written July 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jbthomsen
Seattle, WA267 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
Sunny day beach walk with the kids. Parking lot was fairly empty and free in the off months. Hunted for shark teeth (found one) and shells. Plenty of access to the beach and access points are flat (no stairs). Beach is wide and sand is soft.
Written January 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stacy D
91 contributions
Oct 2022
Lovely beach area, but quite a walk down to the beach if you are disabled. Open and wide, you can see for miles. Plenty of parking.
Written October 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PowerTrippers
Cocoa Beach, FL1,251 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Nauset Beach is an absolutely beautiful place to spend a day. We’ve gone several times and have always seen many seals pretty close to shore. They’re fun to watch and don’t seem too bothered by humans.
The beach is also a great place to beachcomb for interesting and colorful rocks if you’re into that. You won’t find shells here, but you will find a lot of nice stones, pebbles and rocks. The water is a little chilly for swimming and there are a fair amount of sharks around, but it’s great for wading. We certainly see people swimming, too.
Nauset Beach is very large with plenty of room for long walks, or just relaxing away from the crowds. We always make it a point to spend some time on Nauset Beach when we’re on the Cape, and we recommend you do too!
-The PowerTrippers
The beach is also a great place to beachcomb for interesting and colorful rocks if you’re into that. You won’t find shells here, but you will find a lot of nice stones, pebbles and rocks. The water is a little chilly for swimming and there are a fair amount of sharks around, but it’s great for wading. We certainly see people swimming, too.
Nauset Beach is very large with plenty of room for long walks, or just relaxing away from the crowds. We always make it a point to spend some time on Nauset Beach when we’re on the Cape, and we recommend you do too!
-The PowerTrippers
Written September 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vicki S
2 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
My absolute favorite part was the seals! They just poke their head up and look around. Clean beach, food trucks, changing stations & restrooms
Written September 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelinTime999
15 contributions
Jul 2022
I'm giving this one star this season July 2022/ I have been coming to this beach for over 40 years. Raised my family over the many summers here. This year I drove in on a Sunday got in a bit late and thought I would go sit by the water at the end of the day and just destress from the drive . I arrived about 6 pm and was surprised to see the gatekeeper still standing at the booth with his hand out. He asked for $30. as he was closing the booth. We were in disbelief as the man appeared to be so arrogant and with a better than thou personality wearing a hot pink country club polo shirt. He was so unwelcoming as if the beach had turned into a members only private club. The notices stated that the park was free after 4:30 pm and here this guy was pocketing whatever he could get. I wonder how much he made in those 2 hours. It's cash only. Soooo, I just made a U turn and went to Rock Harbor to catch the sunset.
Written August 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
giugiberto
Brescia, Italy95 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Lovely beach located in the National seashore cape code, Wide parking in the area (cost 30$ per day only cash), Restroom and bar available, refill water, really good and clean sea, big Waves and windy, soft and beautiful sand.
I suggest to organize and buy a tent or umbrella because there is no shadow. Pay attention for shark if you enter the water.
I suggest to organize and buy a tent or umbrella because there is no shadow. Pay attention for shark if you enter the water.
Written August 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristen W
35 contributions
Jul 2022
Loved it here, although there was a bunch of seaweed in the water. Great for all ages. Bath House nearby, ample parking (I think $30 for the day, so get there early.)
Written August 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie R
Wolcott, CT12 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
Beautiful beach in Orleans. Several access areas, lifeguards, food truck and ice cream truck. Good for body boarding, skim boards etc. Waves can be rough for young kids and look out for the seals!
Written July 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fiamma11
Vienna, VA4,775 contributions
Nov 2021
This is a remarkably beautiful beach. Clean, friendly, not too crowded, sights and sounds of the ocean. You can't go wrong with this beach choice.
Written June 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Juan G
New York City, New York6 contributions
Do visitors need tickets to go to the beach?
Lauren Catherine
Rotterdam, NY25 contributions
Tickets?
It’s $20 a carload
GinaSamarotto
Poughkeepsie, NY292 contributions
Are there facilities there?
patklandry
Bell City, Louisiana38 contributions
Yes
Is parking still free after 4:30 pm thanks
Elie E
Montreal, Canada4 contributions
Yes! It is still free after 4:30 pm.
Samerkin
Port Orange, FL15 contributions
Do you have to pay to park?
KAREN L STRYCHARZ
West Springfield, MA115 contributions
Yes, you absolutely do have to pay to park! Anyone that is a “senior” can buy a pass for a “nominal fee”($20.00) and with that one time fee that is good “forever”, it not only will get “the person whom bought it, into “all state parks in the United States free”, which I s pretty amazing but it also will get whomever is in your party, in free, as well! Pretty amazing really! My husband bought the pass at Nauset last year. We got into NAUSET BEACH FREE(there was four of us) with no parking fee but “AMAZINGLY, WHEN WE WENT TO “THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH PARK, in St Augustine, Florida plus “THE FORT RIGHT ON THE OCEAN ,THAT IS HUGE AND A STATE PARK, with no parking charge or admission fee either! My husband and I couldn’t believe it( 7 of us got into parks with no charge( we thought maybe one guest or just have m and I but no, every single one of us got in free plus no charge for parking! Once again, this is every single state park in the United States! Definitely worth doing if you are a senior.
Now.....as far as charges for parking at Nauset Beach, “YES,” after Memorial Day weekend there is someone taking money on “WEEKENDS ONLY!” After third weekend in June there was someone taking parking fees thereafter seven days a week. After five o’clock pm the parking lot is generally free( but of course you miss a whole day at the beach, too!!) generally the personal working for the park service go home so no charge after five pm. It is well worth every penny. Last yr it was $15.00 per day Mon through Fri. and $20.00 on weekends ( and holidays). They were supposed to go up this yr, I was told last yr( haven’t gone out there this summer yet , was out in February but of course no signs were up). Nauset Beach is beautiful, clean, has nice bathrooms and showers and they keep impeccable care of Nauset Beach and all the National Seashore Beaches( we go to them all)! Another wonderful beach is COAST GUARD BEACH too but Nauset undoubtedly is our favorite! Have fun!
How many parking places at nauset beach?
Robert O
san juan, Puerto Rico6 contributions
There are many parking spaces at Nauset though it fills quickly in the summer - July & August. best to get there before 11:00am.
daleandsue1
Woodbury, CT
Today's water temperature
tripmomRochester_NY
Rochester, NY17 contributions
I don't know the temp but I find all the Cape Cod waters pretty cold. The Ocean side (East) tends to be colder than the bay side. The beaches are fabulous for sitting, watching the waves and the seals but I don't tend to swim much due to the cold temp. Others do, but I'm a wimp in cold water. Would consider a wet suit if you have one.
R restrooms open in October??
boday2016
Boston, MA5 contributions
No, The beach closes on Labor Day.
jesseniax7
Holyoke, MA3 contributions
Are there sharks here? What is the parking fee? Does it get very crowded on the Fourth of July?
chebert
Tolland37 contributions
There are sharks. Since there are seals they are there. Caution and common sense are the key. Life guards keep a pretty good watch if they are in the area and will let swimmers know. The fee was $20 and it also gave you access to Skaket beach on bay side. Both had great facilities for food and bathrooms.
Nancy S
Westborough, MA
looking for stones for a rock garden.... is this beach a good place to visit for this??
SarahCollinsville
Collinsville, CT28 contributions
I'll second the first answer -- please don't remove stones from public or national seashore beaches. But the real answer is no, there's just sand, not rocks of any size.
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Claim your listingNauset Beach (Orleans) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Nauset Beach
- Hotels near Nauset Beach:
- (0.07 mi) Nauset Beach Inn
- (0.07 mi) 5-Bedroom Grand Villa, Overlooks Nauset Beach and the Atlantic: 227-O
- (0.14 mi) Comfy Cape Cod studio, 5-minute walk to beach - great weekend getaway
- (0.35 mi) Ship's Knees Inn
- (0.15 mi) Stunning Ocean Front Luxury Home on Nauset Beach with A/C & WiFi
- Restaurants near Nauset Beach:
- (2.55 mi) Ice Cream Cafe
- (2.39 mi) the knack
- (2.87 mi) Hot Chocolate Sparrow
- (2.53 mi) Cottage Street Bakery
- (7.68 mi) Cuvee at Chatham Inn
- Attractions near Nauset Beach:
- (0.00 mi) Nauset Surf School
- (1.44 mi) Blue Claw Boat Tours
- (2.81 mi) Cape Kayaking
- (3.97 mi) Cape Cod National Seashore
- (2.49 mi) Fort Hill Rural Historic District
Nauset Beach Information
| Excellent Reviews | 527 |
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| Very Good Reviews | 181 |
| Nauset Beach Photos | 252 |














































































