Provincetown Causeway
Provincetown Causeway
4.5

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  • CATTSAR
    Provincetown, Massachusetts22,294 contributions
    A great hike with views of Provincetown
    Three of the greatest reasons to hike the breakwater are the views of Provincetown and to get to Long Point or Wood End Lighthouses. The breakwater crosses the moors and at sunset at higher tides reflects the colors of the sunset. The total length out and back is about 2.5 miles ( 4 km) and in spots can require a jump or crawl. At high tide the rocks can be submerged or slippery so it is necessary to be cautious and aware of the tides. Once across it is just a short walk to the bay side beach, a great spot to relax and have a little lunch. This is a perfect way to spend part of the day. 
    Visited May 2021
    Written July 6, 2021
  • Littlefield19
    Provincetown, Massachusetts47 contributions
    Everyone Does It
    It's called "the jetty" by townies. It's long (over a mile), can be hazardous in spots, can be underwater in two spots - but hey, if 80 year-old grandmothers can do this, so can you. The view is spectacular. Unless it's real hot, the constant wind can chill you out. You can swim off the rocks, depending on the tides which can approach a 13-foot swing. On the other side, the Long Point area of Cape Cod (and the geographical terminus of our sandy peninsular), you can bring beach stuff and food and spend the day having a beach almost all to yourselves. Oh, yeah, best of all, it's free. Just be mindful of the tides because you can get trapped. Don't worry, you can always walk the beach back. I live here and never fail to "do the jetty" with my company.
    Visited March 2020
    Written April 30, 2020
  • Steven O
    Walpole, Massachusetts12 contributions
    The Point of Cape Cod
    Nice walk across the causeway and to Long Point which is the tip of Cape Cod. It’s a 1.25 mile walk over the jetty and then another 30-45 minute walk along the beach to Long Point. Very nice spot to have a small picnic on the beach. Small light house and great view of Provincetown. The walk on the jetty is fairly easy but there are a few spots where the rocks have been moved so you may have to work your way over some gaps, we’re in our 60’s and still fairly agile so it wasn’t a problem. You do need to check the tides as there are a few spots that will be under water at high tide. We got a late start and weren’t sure we’d make it back but we met someone at the point that told us there was a small shuttle from Flyers that goes to the point every hour. We called them and they came out to gets us. Fee was $20 each.
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 1, 2023
  • Jim T
    Bushnell, Florida224 contributions
    Breakwater Walk Adventure
    A breakwater was constructed in 1911 to protect the town’s harbor from the dune’s shifting sands. The unintended consequences of this project were a bonus that allows you to follow its path across the harbor to the outermost finger of the jutting Cape and the sentry of Wood End Lighthouse. Along the way, if the tide has taken its ritual leave, the harbor floor can be explored, which holds abandoned rowboats, horseshoe crabs, seaweed and other ocean oddities. Upon reaching the other side, amblers can continue on to Long Point lighthouse at land’s end or cross over to the quiet beaches that lie on the Cape Cod Bay side of the spit. Depending on speed, a walk across the breakwater can take anywhere between one to two hours. The rocks are not evenly laid so only those with sure footing should plan on the amble. It is also important to check the tide’s schedule before crossing the breakwater because from time to time the harbor’s water rises above the rock passage. We arrive as the high tide mark has passed and the waters are receding. Yes, this was an intimidating walk. You literally are out in the middle of a bay walking on huge boulders that are irregularly spaced and in at least four instances require a “scramble” near the waterline. The “Danger Sinkhole” sign did not help inspire confidence either! The view of Provincetown and the Pilgrim Monument from the far side of the Breakwater was fantastic. We got closer to, but did not journey all the way to both the Wood End Lighthouse and the Long Point Lighthouse. We climbed the first set of dunes to take in the view of the Boston skyline in the far distant horizon. It was hazy, but discernible. We were told that this viewpoint was where the whale watching vessels went and that we might see whales. Then it started to rain. The thought of returning across now wet and slippery rocks outweighed our desire to reveal in the glory of the journey and explore. We hurried back to the car arriving a bit... moist.
    Visited September 2013
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 27, 2013
  • Travel_Dude1
    Los Angeles, California186 contributions
    I love this walk
    You have to watch your step on the granite blocks that form the causeway out to Wood End and Long Point (the iconic "hook" at the tip of Cape Cod). You will pass fishermen and women, parents with children, artists and people who just want the feeling of getting out in nature. Bring your hat, sunscreen, water and comfortable walking shoes for this trip.
    Visited September 2017
    Traveled on business
    Written October 1, 2017
  • CraftBeers
    Plano, Texas26,771 contributions
    Single best thing to see in P-Town. It's wonderful.
    The causeway is a must see place to add to your trip even though P-town is my least favorite town on the Cape. It's commercial, touristy and crammed with people. The causeway is the exact opposite of that. You can find it a mile out of town at the end of Commercial Street. It's a 20 minute walk or 10 minute bike ride. The causeway is fantastic. It's so simple, so elegant, so beautiful. A mile and a half breaker has been installed from Pilgrim's Landing to Long Beach Point. The construction material consists of huge boulders that have been carefully placed to create a walkway along it. You are stepping from one boulder to the next, so it is not a smooth cement path for bikes and unstable walkers. They have taken the time to make sure flat boulder edges were used so the walk is very very easy for everyone that uses just a little bit of common sense. Because this is a breaker, there are two different water types on each side. The bay side has low moving waves and other movements common with open water. The closed-off side is crystal smooth unless it's windy. The glassy surface reflects the environment creating picture perfect views. Marsh grass has grown on the calm water side while boats can be seen in the distance on the open water side. The Long Beach Lighthouse is visible at one end of the causeway. This place is beautiful. Plan and hour or two to walk all the way across and back. It's three miles round trip, but the beauty and peace are awesome. Parking is a bit of a problem. There are very few spots available.
    Visited July 2017
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 16, 2017
  • jrousseau10
    Andover, Massachusetts30 contributions
    Watch Your Step
    The kids loved the walk and the parents found it stressful. Could never enjoy the view because we were looking down at the uneven, sometimes sloped rocks. Some gaps between the rocks took a leap of faith. I’m sure young experienced hikers will laugh at this review, but you will be mentally tired after this trek. And don’t forget...you have to come back.
    Visited April 2021
    Traveled with family
    Written April 22, 2021
  • Brian M
    Hartford, Connecticut563 contributions
    Caution: Slippery and Yet...
    Let me begin with a warning: do not be fooled by the first one hundred or so yards of this stone-spined walkway. That part was constructed so that the young and the not-so-young could revel in the adventure that entails leaving the pavement behind for a jolly jaunt with nature. This break-ankle breakwater was designed by someone with a sadistic sense of site-seeing. As you continue along this 1.2 mile long causeway, you will notice that what started out orderly enough descends into a path navigated by the brave and foolish. It didn't help that I attempted this with post-Tropical Storm Hermine blowing this way and that. By the time I'd made it a little less than halfway across, the sea splash had pretty much soaked the left side of my body. This forced my to switch my phone to my right pocket...with the mounting dread that I was going to get soaked on my right side coming back again. A little further ahead, I noticed that the waves were actually completely washing across the rocks. Of course, with my shoes already soaked what difference did that make? Further up ahead, about a hundred yards from the end of the walk, the rocks were even more submerged, though not completely. My friend didn't even dare; he was nice enough to wait to see if he could identify my body should I be swept out to sea. But when you're that close... Then we had to walk it all the way back to the car. Well, walk and run. And as much as I would have like to have run all the way back to solid ground: one, did I mention this whole thing is made up of rocks at all angles; and two, the rocks were extremely wet? Fun times were had by all (sarcasm fully intended). In the time that we were out there, no one had ventured further than the first quarter of a mile, except perhaps for a man and his dog. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Would I do it in what felt like gale-force winds? I'm not getting any younger; I'll leave that to the young bucks. I will advise this, though: you owe it to yourself to at least try it.
    Visited September 2016
    Traveled with friends
    Written September 6, 2016
  • AllyL
    50 contributions
    Great place to have a stroll .
    Come down here in the evening as there are little arts and crafts huts where you can purchase little gifts, see the fishing boats and the whale watching boats. During the day you can visit the museum. Great views of Provincetown.
    Visited July 2015
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 24, 2015
  • mc.iles
    Sherrill, New York234 contributions
    Nice walk to the lighthouse
    Three mile walk to the lighthouse, long but easy. Great views once you get to the very tip of the Cape. Pack a lunch and have a picnic, great spot to catch some rays and relax.
    Visited August 2020
    Written September 7, 2020
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Jim T
Bushnell, FL224 contributions
Sep 2013 • Couples
A breakwater was constructed in 1911 to protect the town’s harbor from the dune’s shifting sands. The unintended consequences of this project were a bonus that allows you to follow its path across the harbor to the outermost finger of the jutting Cape and the sentry of Wood End Lighthouse. Along the way, if the tide has taken its ritual leave, the harbor floor can be explored, which holds abandoned rowboats, horseshoe crabs, seaweed and other ocean oddities. Upon reaching the other side, amblers can continue on to Long Point lighthouse at land’s end or cross over to the quiet beaches that lie on the Cape Cod Bay side of the spit.

Depending on speed, a walk across the breakwater can take anywhere between one to two hours. The rocks are not evenly laid so only those with sure footing should plan on the amble. It is also important to check the tide’s schedule before crossing the breakwater because from time to time the harbor’s water rises above the rock passage. We arrive as the high tide mark has passed and the waters are receding.

Yes, this was an intimidating walk. You literally are out in the middle of a bay walking on huge boulders that are irregularly spaced and in at least four instances require a “scramble” near the waterline. The “Danger Sinkhole” sign did not help inspire confidence either!

The view of Provincetown and the Pilgrim Monument from the far side of the Breakwater was fantastic.

We got closer to, but did not journey all the way to both the Wood End Lighthouse and the Long Point Lighthouse.

We climbed the first set of dunes to take in the view of the Boston skyline in the far distant horizon. It was hazy, but discernible. We were told that this viewpoint was where the whale watching vessels went and that we might see whales. Then it started to rain. The thought of returning across now wet and slippery rocks outweighed our desire to reveal in the glory of the journey and explore. We hurried back to the car arriving a bit... moist.
Written September 27, 2013
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.

Travel_Dude1
Los Angeles, CA186 contributions
Sep 2017 • Business
You have to watch your step on the granite blocks that form the causeway out to Wood End and Long Point (the iconic "hook" at the tip of Cape Cod). You will pass fishermen and women, parents with children, artists and people who just want the feeling of getting out in nature. Bring your hat, sunscreen, water and comfortable walking shoes for this trip.
Written October 1, 2017
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.

CraftBeers
Plano, TX26,771 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
The causeway is a must see place to add to your trip even though P-town is my least favorite town on the Cape. It's commercial, touristy and crammed with people. The causeway is the exact opposite of that. You can find it a mile out of town at the end of Commercial Street. It's a 20 minute walk or 10 minute bike ride.

The causeway is fantastic. It's so simple, so elegant, so beautiful. A mile and a half breaker has been installed from Pilgrim's Landing to Long Beach Point. The construction material consists of huge boulders that have been carefully placed to create a walkway along it. You are stepping from one boulder to the next, so it is not a smooth cement path for bikes and unstable walkers. They have taken the time to make sure flat boulder edges were used so the walk is very very easy for everyone that uses just a little bit of common sense.

Because this is a breaker, there are two different water types on each side. The bay side has low moving waves and other movements common with open water. The closed-off side is crystal smooth unless it's windy. The glassy surface reflects the environment creating picture perfect views. Marsh grass has grown on the calm water side while boats can be seen in the distance on the open water side. The Long Beach Lighthouse is visible at one end of the causeway.

This place is beautiful. Plan and hour or two to walk all the way across and back. It's three miles round trip, but the beauty and peace are awesome. Parking is a bit of a problem. There are very few spots available.
Written August 16, 2017
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.

jrousseau10
Andover, MA30 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
The kids loved the walk and the parents found it stressful. Could never enjoy the view because we were looking down at the uneven, sometimes sloped rocks. Some gaps between the rocks took a leap of faith. I’m sure young experienced hikers will laugh at this review, but you will be mentally tired after this trek. And don’t forget...you have to come back.
Written April 22, 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.

Brian M
Hartford, CT563 contributions
Sep 2016 • Friends
Let me begin with a warning: do not be fooled by the first one hundred or so yards of this stone-spined walkway. That part was constructed so that the young and the not-so-young could revel in the adventure that entails leaving the pavement behind for a jolly jaunt with nature.
This break-ankle breakwater was designed by someone with a sadistic sense of site-seeing. As you continue along this 1.2 mile long causeway, you will notice that what started out orderly enough descends into a path navigated by the brave and foolish. It didn't help that I attempted this with post-Tropical Storm Hermine blowing this way and that.
By the time I'd made it a little less than halfway across, the sea splash had pretty much soaked the left side of my body. This forced my to switch my phone to my right pocket...with the mounting dread that I was going to get soaked on my right side coming back again. A little further ahead, I noticed that the waves were actually completely washing across the rocks. Of course, with my shoes already soaked what difference did that make?
Further up ahead, about a hundred yards from the end of the walk, the rocks were even more submerged, though not completely. My friend didn't even dare; he was nice enough to wait to see if he could identify my body should I be swept out to sea. But when you're that close...
Then we had to walk it all the way back to the car. Well, walk and run. And as much as I would have like to have run all the way back to solid ground: one, did I mention this whole thing is made up of rocks at all angles; and two, the rocks were extremely wet? Fun times were had by all (sarcasm fully intended). In the time that we were out there, no one had ventured further than the first quarter of a mile, except perhaps for a man and his dog.
Would I do it again? Absolutely. Would I do it in what felt like gale-force winds? I'm not getting any younger; I'll leave that to the young bucks.
I will advise this, though: you owe it to yourself to at least try it.
Written September 6, 2016
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.

AllyL
Newport on Tay Scotland50 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
Come down here in the evening as there are little arts and crafts huts where you can purchase little gifts, see the fishing boats and the whale watching boats. During the day you can visit the museum. Great views of Provincetown.
Written July 24, 2015
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.

mc.iles
Sherrill, NY234 contributions
Aug 2020
Three mile walk to the lighthouse, long but easy. Great views once you get to the very tip of the Cape. Pack a lunch and have a picnic, great spot to catch some rays and relax.
Written September 7, 2020
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.

JoeytravelerNJ
NJ, USA70 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
It's a good half hour walk across the large uneven rocks placed in the water to form a bridge. Wear sneakers, bring water, and mind the tides. At high tide parts of the bridge wash out and you'd have to walk through some water to get across.
Written June 1, 2019
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.

hmdpa
Pennsylvania220 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
This is a great way to "get away from it all" and enjoy some wonderful views as well. The Causeway is a brisk, 25 minute walk from the center of town. Walking across takes 30-45 minutes depending on how much one wants to look around. When the tide is changing, the sound of water running through the rocks is truly delightful. I would recommend sturdy shoes or boots.
Written May 23, 2018
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.

jindalee13
Balnarring, Australia146 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
Very busy seaside town at the end of Cape Cod.
Quaint buildings with virtually predestination only access down Main Street.
Plenty of variety shops and restaurants.
Parking a bit of a night mare. Suggest taking last exit off highway 6 to enter town. Closer to parking area and avoids driving through tight squeeze streets.
Written September 13, 2017
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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