Nauset Beach, Orleans: Address, Phone Number, Nauset Beach Reviews: 4.5/5
Nauset Beach
Nauset Beach
4.5
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
43 within 3 miles
The Barley Neck Inn
437
1.4 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Seafood
Whisk Breakfast & Lunch Cafe
28
1.5 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Nauset Farms
113
1.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Specialty Food Market • American • Deli
Ardath's Restaurant
12
1.8 mi
the knack
383
2.4 mi$ • Quick Bites • American • Grill
Starbucks
3
2.1 miAmerican • Cafe
Ice Cream Cafe
217
2.6 mi$ • Dessert
Cottage Street Bakery
285
2.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Bakeries • American • Cafe
Sir Cricket's Fish & Chips
356
2.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Seafood
Orleans Inn
221
2.4 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Seafood
Attractions
47 within 6 miles
Fort Hill Rural Historic District
165
2.5 miHistoric Walking Areas
Cape Cod National Seashore
636
National Parks • Beaches
Salt Pond Visitor Center
391
Visitor Centers • History Museums
Coast Guard Beach
629
Beaches
First Encounter Beach
252
Historic Sites • Beaches
Skaket Beach
445
Beaches
Nauset Light Beach
298
Beaches
Nauset Light
426
Lighthouses
Crosby Landing Beach
117
Beaches
Eastham Windmill
110
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
750 reviews
Excellent
522
Very good
182
Average
31
Poor
10
Terrible
5
46oceangirl
Westford, MA1,655 contributions
Jul 2020
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.
They have porto potty' and changing bays for men and woman.
Written July 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
MWK51
Hudson, OH1,185 contributions
Sep 2020
We 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.
Written September 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
KCLizard
State College, PA598 contributions
Jul 2021
This 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.
Written August 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sunapee17
Newport, NH410 contributions
Apr 2022
Great beach to walk - you can go on for what seems like forever without running into many people - especially at this time of year. We saw an orca whale the other day. Spotted it by it blow hole water - what an amazing event. We have always seen seals here, but not a whale!!! Surf at high tide is forceful and yet beautiful.
Written April 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
spren2016
Andover, CT106 contributions
Jun 2021
I heard about Nauset Beach Inn on Howie Carr's radio show and bought three gift certificates. We're so glad we did. We really loved the place with its more than 180 degree ocean view from our room. My wife saw seals swimming in the ocean from our room. The room was simple but very clean and efficient. Bring your own hair drier if that is important to you as none are provided.
They have three fire circles that go all day until 10pm. The beach is a very short walk away. We came home yesterday and already are greatly missing the ability to just sit and look out the large picture windows and see the ocean, and to keep the windows open so we can hear the pounding of the surf. We will definitely return.
They have three fire circles that go all day until 10pm. The beach is a very short walk away. We came home yesterday and already are greatly missing the ability to just sit and look out the large picture windows and see the ocean, and to keep the windows open so we can hear the pounding of the surf. We will definitely return.
Written June 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
FK
8 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
Wonderful beach, a lot of space to spread out, we saw more than five seals swimming around. Because of the cold water even in July and the occasional shark sightings, this beach is not necessarily the first choice for swimming, but rather for watching the waves, sea life and for enjoying a beautiful beach. Sometimes the parking lot reaches capacity early in the day, if it’s nice weather early arrival is a good idea. We forgot bug spray which was a mistake. The one food truck had decent food (some Mexican choices and sandwiches), bathrooms and changing rooms are available. Parking during the day $30.
Written July 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Traveler2585
Mansfield, MA98 contributions
Jul 2021
This is a great beach - spacious, clean, restrooms and lifeguards. Great surfing and body boarding with the big waves. Lots of seals which can mean sharks but we aren't too concerned - lifeguards put up flags for shark warnings and we don't go too far out. The only reason I ranked it as 4 instead of 5 is the rocks. My kids and I all had bloody, scraped feet from the amount of rocks at the shore line. Every time a wave comes in and then goes out, your feet sink and get battered with rocks. My kids didn't want to go back even though they loved the waves.
Written August 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Rbb599
Camp Verde, AZ231 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
Beach is clean and easy access. Fortunately we were here in the first half of June and avoided the $25 parking sticker. Most of the day you can watch the numerous seals swimming right in front of you. Being early June water was colder than I wanted. Anyway a good day at the beach, it is really beautiful.
Written June 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
first-tymer
Allendale, NJ240 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Nice beach but a little rocky at low tide. Bottom drops off a bit after you walk through the rocks. Restrooms and portajohns plus food truck area. Parking is a bit overpriced at $30 for the day. Would expect valet for that! Need to watch for rip tides too.
Written August 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
C-Pat21
Rochester, NY143 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
My family, 2 adults and 3 kids, were hoping for a better beach than we got. It had great sand and lifeguards which was nice. However this beach is popular and you end up on top of each other. Also, we were there as high tide was nearing and then going out some.
We wanted to boogie board but beach slant is steep and thus the waves broke right on the shore so there was no way to ride waves. Lots of cool rocks for my son to collect but had to brave the breakers to grab them and little to no shells.
Water was significantly colder on Atlantic side of Cape vs the bay side, which is to be expected but something to keep in mind when visiting.
This beach was our last one for the week and we had hoped for much more given the high ratings.
There is a bathroom and changing room which is nice.
Cost to park was $30. This seems fairly standard on the Cape during peak season.
We wanted to boogie board but beach slant is steep and thus the waves broke right on the shore so there was no way to ride waves. Lots of cool rocks for my son to collect but had to brave the breakers to grab them and little to no shells.
Water was significantly colder on Atlantic side of Cape vs the bay side, which is to be expected but something to keep in mind when visiting.
This beach was our last one for the week and we had hoped for much more given the high ratings.
There is a bathroom and changing room which is nice.
Cost to park was $30. This seems fairly standard on the Cape during peak season.
Written August 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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, FL5 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, NY16 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
Tolland36 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.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nauset Beach
- Hotels near Nauset Beach:
- (0.07 mi) Nauset Beach Inn
- (0.35 mi) Ship's Knees Inn
- (0.58 mi) Nauset House Inn
- (0.24 mi) Stunning Carriage House
- (1.63 mi) The Parsonage Inn
- 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
- (2.49 mi) Fort Hill Rural Historic District
- (3.97 mi) Cape Cod National Seashore