The soft sand beaches and pristine Atlantic coastline of Cape Cod National Seashore attract throngs of visitors each summer. With miles upon miles of beaches and quaint New England towns, this Massachusetts destination is perfect for families to spend sun-soaked days building sandcastles and splashing in the gentle waves.
It’s easy to find activities that the whole family can enjoy on a visit to Cape Cod. Swimming, kayaking, boogie boarding, whale watching, and fishing are all favorite beach activities that you can enjoy with your loved ones. If this sounds like the kind of summer fun you’re looking for, pack your bags and check out our list of the best beaches in Cape Cod for Families!
Craigville Beach
It’s one of the most popular beaches on the Cape, but still, Craigville never feels crowded due to its expansive size. There’s always a place to stretch out a big beach blanket and enjoy building sandcastles with the kids.
The water in this part of Cape Cod is nice and warm making it perfect for swimmers. Lifeguards are on duty throughout the summer to give you peace of mind and amenities include bathrooms, showers, and a tasty snack bar. There is a public parking lot near the beach with a fee of $15 for the day on weekdays. The price increases to $20 on Saturday and Sunday.
Mayflower Beach
If your kiddo loves to explore tidal pools, then Mayflower Beach will offer hours upon hours of entertainment for your family. At low tide, you can walk for miles through the tidal flats and spot sea creatures who make the tidal pools their home. This is also a great place to examine seashells!
There is plenty of room to spread out, so older family members can enjoy lounging in the sun or catching up on a great beach read. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months, so that you can enjoy the beach stress-free.
Mayflower Beach also has a small boardwalk, a picnic area, and a snack bar. Other amenities include bathrooms and showers. Public parking is available for $20 on weekdays and $25 on Saturdays and Sundays.
Nauset Beach
Nauset Beach is the place to go for kids who love to boogie board or want to try out surfing. The waves are slightly bigger here, but it is still great for swimming and lifeguards are on duty throughout the summer. It’s a 10 mile stretch of coastline, so it offers plenty of space to find a spot of your own.
This is a great place to catch an early morning sunrise, and occasionally you can catch live music on the beach on summer evenings. Amenities include bathrooms, showers, and a snack bar. Parking costs $20 daily.
Corporation Beach
Located within Cape Cod Bay, Corporation Beach is perfect for small kids because of the calm and friendly water. The water is warmer here making it perfect for swimming. There is also a small playground near the beach if kids happen to get tired of playing in the surf and sand.
As an added bonus, Corporation beach has an interesting rock break wall that kids can explore. They might even see some interesting sea life! There are lifeguards on duty as well as restrooms. Parking is $15 per day.
Cold Storage
Cold Storage is located near the east side of the popular beach town, Dennis. The waters are gentle and calm, making them the perfect place to splash and play with small children. The lifeguards on duty during the summer months will add peace of mind to a beach day at Cold Storage.
Amenities include bathrooms and lifeguards, but you might want to pack your own snacks and beverages or pick some up within some of the adorable shops and restaurants in the nearby town. You can find parking around the area but might need to walk a little way to the beach.
Head of the Meadow
Head of the Meadow is another great beach destination for tidal pool exploration. The calm waters offer great places to try skimboarding or just splash around with the kids. Lifeguards are on duty and there are plenty of restrooms and outdoor showers to rinse off the sand after your fun day at the beach. Parking cost $15 for the day.
Cockle Cove Beach
Cockle Cove is located near the adorable beach town Chatham on the Nantucket Sound. The water is calm enough for small children and lifeguards are on duty to give parents the peace of mind to sit back and relax on the soft sand.
On-site restrooms and ice-cream truck visits help make Cockle Cove the perfect spot for a relaxing day by the water.
Coast Guard
Families will love the Coast Guard beach because of the expansive sandy areas to play games like beach volleyball or build sandcastles. The waves are bigger than some other parts of the Cape, making it a great place to try body surfing, or swimming with older kids.
If you’re lucky, you might even spot a seal during your beach day at Coast Guard. There are shuttles that run from the parking lot to the beach every 10 minutes during the summer months.
Race Point
Race Point is one of the best beaches to hit in the late afternoon after a day of exploring the quaint New England beach towns scattered across the Cape.
The sunset from this location is absolutely breathtaking, so take a picnic dinner and watch the gorgeous colors in the changing sky. It’s also a popular place for bird watching and exploring the sandy dunes. There is a parking lot for $20 a day as well as bathrooms, changing facilities, and showers.
First Encounter
First Encounter is a beautiful Cape Cod Bay beach that has the added benefit of being a historically relevant site with fun teaching opportunities for little ones. It was the location of the first interaction between Native Americans and early Pilgrims!
There are lifeguards on duty, as well as public bathrooms during the summer months.
