Provincetown Beaches

Amenities: All National Seashore beaches in Eastham have paved parking, rest rooms, changing rooms and showering facilities, drinking water, and lifeguards (from late June through Labor Day).

Parking Fees: Parking fee/sticker requirements vary, depending on whether the beach is managed by the Cape Cod National Seashore or town-owned. See below for details.

Note: If you'd prefer to ride rather than drive to the Provincetown beaches, the Provincetown Shuttle will take you to and from the Provincetown beaches for only a few dollars.

Parking fees/passes are required every day from late June through Labor Day, and on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day to late June and from Labor Day through Columbus Day.

Contact the National Seashore at (508) 487-2100 or visit the Cape Cod National Seashore website for more info.

Race Point Beach

At the northernmost tip of Cape Cod, Race Point Beach is the "wild child" of Provincetown beaches within the Cape Cod National Seashore.

As the roaring Atlantic Ocean surf sweeps around Race Point, its currents churn and boil - creating some very steep drop-offs and dangerously strong undertows. It's a wild sight to see, but probably not the best place to venture into the water if you're not a super-strong swimmer.

But for sun worshippers, Race Point Beach is heaven on earth! Surrounded by dunes as far as the eye can see, Race Point feels like the middle of nowhere. And thanks to its north-facing orientation, the sun shines directly down on the beach all day long! (No shade from the dunes, so bring your sunbrella!)

• Body of Water: Cape Cod Bay
• Crowd Factor: Does get busy in summer. Plenty of room to wander.
• Amenities: Lifeguards in season, restroom and shower facilities.
• Location: Race Point Road (off Route 6) in Provincetown, MA
• Parking: Decent sized lot, but it does fill up during the season. Parking is by daily fee ($15) or CCNS/NPS pass (see above).

Herring Cove Beach

If Race Point is the "wild child" of Provincetown beaches ... Herring Cove is the "mild child". Rarely will you find any wild surf or rip currents at Herring Cove Beach.

The warmer, more calm waters of Cape Cod Bay, and the scenic setting of Herring Cove Beach, make it the most popular beach in Provincetown.

Families with children especially enjoy Herring Cove, not only for its kid-friendly waters, but also because there's easy access from the right-hand side parking lot onto the beach. That's a big plus when you're lugging chairs, coolers and all your other must-have beach stuff.

Later in the day, Herring Cove Beach is also a perfect place to watch the breathtaking sunsets over the Bay. And for a fun evening adventure, pick up a beach campfire permit. It's amazing how much fun you can have on a starlit night with just a few hunks of wood and a bag of marshmallows!

• Body of Water: Cape Cod Bay
• Crowd Factor: Does get busy in the summer, but a short walk north on the beach will take you away from the crowd.
• Amenities: Lifeguards in season, shower and restroom facilities. Herring Cove Beach is also handicapped accessible and has wheelchairs that travel over sand (in season only).
• Location: At the end of Rt. 6 in Provincetown.
• Parking: Ample parking, but the lot does fill on busy summer days. Parking is by daily fee ($15) or CCNS/NPS pass (see above).

Harbor Beach

Harbor Beach is a ribbon of sand along Provincetown Harbor that runs parallel with Commercial Street in downtown Provincetown.

It's not what I'd call a "real beach", like the National Seashore beaches in Provincetown. But for a little respite from the shops, galleries and general busy-ness of the downtown area, it's a nice place to hang out for a bit.

• Body of Water: Provincetown Harbor
• Crowd Factor: Not usually an issue.
• Amenities: Everything you could want is just steps away on Commercial Street.
• Location: Adjacent to Commercial Street in Provincetown
• Parking: Park wherever you can find a spot near Commercial Street, then walk. Charges vary by lot.