South Cape Beach - Mashpee, MA

And it's a beauty!

During the summer months, South Cape Beach is a mecca for swimmers and sunbathers, thanks to its long expanse of soft, light sand and the warm, normally calm waters of Vineyard Sound.

May through October finds fishermen (fisherwomen and fisherkids, too!), with surf rods in hand - testing their skills against the big Striped bass and feisty Bluefish that regularly cruise just offshore in search of their next meal.

And all year long, nature lovers find South Cape the perfect place for an invigorating beach walk, or more peaceful endeavors like birdwatching and exploring the nature trails in the adjoining Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.

What You Need To Know

Body of Water: Vineyard Sound

Crowd Factor: South Cape Beach gets busy on warm summer days. But if you walk a little ways up or down the beach, it's usually easy to find a spot to yourself.

Amenities: Lifeguards in season, restroom and shower facilities. Beach wheelchair available - call (508) 457-0495 to reserve.

Location: From the Mashpee rotary (traffic circle), take Great Oak Road south toward New Seabury, and follow the signs to South Cape Beach.

Parking: There are two parking lots for South Cape Beach. One is managed by the town of Mashpee MA. The other is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation as part of the South Cape Beach State Park.

• At the town parking lot - Non-resident parking in season is by weekly pass only ($40/week). You'll need to show proof of temporary residence in Mashpee (rental agreement, hotel receipt, etc.) to purchase a pass. Passes are available at the Town Hall, 16 Great Neck Road, Mashpee MA. Call (508) 539-1400 for more info.
• At the South Cape Beach State Park lot - Parking is available to the public by payment of a daily fee ($7) at the gate.