Harwich Beaches Guide

Turn to the south off Route 28, make your way toward the water, and you'll quickly discover Harwich's scenic and inviting shoreline.

Parking Fees: In season, parking is generally by town-issued pass/sticker or daily payment only.

Daily passes ($15) are sold at the beach entrance only. Weekly ($65) and seasonal ($140) stickers are sold at Harwich Community Center, 100 Oak Street in Harwich. Call (508) 432-7638 for more info.

Red River Beach

This is one of the best Harwich beaches to visit if you're looking for room to spread your beach blanket out, away from other people.

Red River is a big, wide, long beach with very powdery sand. It's a nice beach for families, with plenty of room for the kids to play and gentle waters to splash around in.

• Body of Water: Nantucket Sound
• Crowd Factor: Not overly crowded
• Amenities: Lifeguard in season. Mobile food vendor, restroom facilities. Handicap access surf chairs available.
• Location: At the end of Uncle Venie's Lane in East Harwich, MA (Uncle Venie's is much easier access than the other roads that lead to this beach.)
• Parking: Good sized parking lot. Parking by daily fee ($15), weekly or seasonal sticker.

Bank Street Beach

Bank Street is a very popular town beach for all ages. It's a little smaller than Red River Beach, but still plenty large enough to comfortably accommodate the many visitors and locals that flock here during the height of summer vacation season.

Like many other Harwich beaches, Bank Street has wonderfully soft sand and panoramic views of Nantucket Sound.

• Body of Water: Nantucket Sound
• Crowd Factor: Moderately to very crowded.
• Amenities: Lifeguards in season, food concessions, restroom facilities. Handicap access surf chairs available.
• Location: Off Bank Street in Harwichport
• Parking: Residents only parking. May bike or walk in at no charge.

Earle Road Beach

Earle Road is a medium-sized beach, with rock jetties and gently breaking waves.

It's a little more quiet than some other Harwich beaches. Perhaps a little too quiet for families with teens who're looking for lots of activity.

Nonetheless, Earle Road is a wonderful little beach for anyone looking for some serenity on a hot summer day.

• Body of Water: Nantucket Sound
• Crowd Factor: Not usually crowded.
• Amenities: Lifeguard in season. Food concession, restroom facilities. Handicap access surf chairs available.
• Location: Earle Road in Harwich
• Parking: Decent sized parking lot. Parking by daily fee ($15), weekly or seasonal sticker.

Pleasant Road Beach

Pleasant Road is a relatively large beach, as far as Harwich beaches go.

It's great for families, because it has most of the amenities you need when you have kids in tow. And it's also a nice place for adults to enjoy a swim or walk along the shoreline taking in the scenery.

• Body of Water: Nantucket Sound
• Crowd Factor: Busy, but not usually overly crowded.
• Amenities: Lifeguard in season, food concession, restroom facilities. Handicap access surf chairs available.
• Location: Off Pleasant Road in East Harwich
• Parking: Residents only parking. May bike or walk in at no charge.

Atlantic Avenue Beach

Atlantic Avenue is like many Nantucket Sound beaches. The water's warm in summer, the waves are gentle, and there's a lovely view out over the Sound.

A couple things are important to know if you're going to Atlantic Avenue Beach. First, it's set between two privately owned Harwich beaches. Be sure to stay within the boundaries of the rock jetties so you don't risk roaming onto private property. Second, there's a steep stairway leading down to the beach. If stairs are an issue for you, you'll want to choose a different beach.

• Body of Water: Nantucket Sound
• Crowd Factor: Normally not too crowded.
• Amenities: None
• Location: Off Ocean Avenue in Harwich
• Parking: Residents only parking. May bike or walk in at no charge.