Bourne Beaches Guide

But when you're in Bourne and ready to cool off with a dip in saltwater, you'll find some lovely public beaches that are well worth a visit.

Parking Fees: From May to September, parking at most beaches in Bourne is limited to those with resident or temporary resident parking stickers only. Others may walk or bike in.

Temporary resident parking stickers are available at the Natural Resources Office at Town Hall, 24 Perry Avenue in Buzzards Bay. Proof of temporary residency in Bourne (a copy of your lease, rental agreement, or hotel receipt showing your dates of temporary residency) is required to get a sticker. Call (508) 759-0621, ext. 3, for more info.

Monument Beach

Situated near the western entrance to the Canal, Monument Beach is a great place to swim, relax in the sun, and watch boats coming and going from the adjacent Monument Beach Marina. It's also one of the more popular Bourne beaches for windsurfing.

The beach is large, has plenty of room and rarely feels too crowded. Monument Beach is a little pebbly/shelly. If your feet are especially sensitive, be sure to bring your flip-flops or beach shoes.

• Body of Water: Buzzards Bay
• Crowd Factor: Generally not overly crowded
• Amenities: Lifeguards, snack bar, restroom and shower facilities, volleyball net, swim dock. Beach wheelchairs available in season. Call (508)759-0613 to reserve.

• Location: Off Shore Road and Emmons Road in Bourne, MA
• Parking: Large parking lot. Occasionally fills. Parking requires a resident or temporary resident beach parking sticker

Scusset Beach

This is a state-run beach that's part of the Scusset Beach State Reservation. It's on the "mainland" side of the Cape Cod Canal.

Scusset Beach is a pretty, very long beach near the eastern entrance to the Canal. The sand is soft, the water is calm, and this is a wonderful place for walking the beach and fishing. (In the summer, look for bluefish breaking the surface just off shore.)

• Body of Water: Cape Cod Bay
• Crowd Factor: Plenty of room, so rarely feels crowded
• Amenities: Lifeguards, restrooms and shower area, snack bar. Beach wheelchairs available in season. Call (508)866-2580 to reserve.

• Location: Exit 1 off Rt. 3 in the village of Sagamore
• Parking: Large parking lot. Daily parking fee ($10). Or if you prefer, you can park for free at one of the lots near the Bourne Bridge and bike along the Canal to Scusset Beach.

Electric Avenue Beach

This is a small beach in the "downtown" area of Bourne. Electric Avenue Beach has nice sand and amazingly clear blue water. It has a playground for the kids, bike racks, and views of the nearby electric windmill, too.

• Body of Water: Buzzards Bay
• Crowd Factor: Not crowded
• Amenities: Lifeguard
• Parking: Parking for residents only. As with other parking-restricted Bourne beaches, non-residents may walk or bikeride to Electric Avenue Beach