Wellfleet Beaches

The Ocean side beaches in Wellfleet feature towering dunes, golden sand and active surf.

On the Bay side, miles of woodlands, marshlands and inlets lead to calm, warm-water beaches that are perfect for shell hunters, nature lovers and families with small children.

Amenities: There's only one National Seashore beach in Wellfleet - Marconi Beach. It has paved parking, rest rooms, changing rooms and showering facilities, drinking water, and lifeguards (from late June through Labor Day).

See beach descriptions below for the in-season amenities at town-owned Wellfleet beaches.

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

Daily vehicle fee, $15. National Seashore Season Pass, $45. Interagency Senior Pass, $10. Interagency Access Pass for permanently disabled persons, FREE.

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

Marconi Beach

History was made on the Wellfleet dunes in 1903, when Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi completed the first trans-Atlantic wireless transmission between the United States and England.

Today, the high dunes and the long stretch of sand known as "Marconi Beach" is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore.

When you've had your fill of swimming, surfing or fishing at Marconi Beach, be sure to visit the nearby Marconi site. From the observation platform, you can see the entire width of the Outer Cape - all the way from the Atlantic Ocean to Cape Cod Bay. It's amazing!

• Body of Water: Atlantic Ocean
• Crowd Factor: Not usually crowded.
• Amenities: Lifeguards in season, restroom and bathhouse facilities, boardwalk leading to steep stairway to the beach.
• Location: At the end of Marconi Beach Road (off Rt. 6) in South Wellfleet
• Parking: Large lot, rarely fills in June and July. Occasionally fills in August. Parking by daily fee ($15) or pass (see above).

At White Crest Beach and Cahoon Hollow Beach, parking is also allowed by paying a daily fee ($15) at the gate.

Stickers for parking at town-owned Wellfleet beaches can be purchased at the Beach Sticker booth at the Town Pier. Some Wellfleet motels, cottage colonies and real estate/rental agencies also have beach stickers available. Ask when you make your reservation, or call the Town offices at (508) 349-9818 for more info.

Town of Wellfleet beach stickers are not valid for parking in the National Seashore parking lots.

Cahoon Hollow

Cahoon Hollow is a big, breezy, active beach that's very popular with young adults - thanks in large measure to "The Beachcomber", the rockin' bar and restaurant that sits atop the huge dune overlooking Cahoon Hollow.

The view from the parking area is breathtaking ... as is the climb down (and back up) the steep incline of shifting sand that serves as the pathway to and from the beach. It's a pretty physical climb and might be a bit too much for very young children.

• Body of Water: Atlantic Ocean
• Crowd Factor: Very busy at times, especially on summer weekends.
• Amenities: Lifeguard in season, restaurant/bar, restroom facilities.
• Location: At the end of Cahoon Hollow Road, off Rt. 6 in Wellfleet, MA

• Parking: There are two lots for Cahoon Hollow. One is owned by the town and requires a town sticker or daily fee ($15). The other is owned by The Beachcomber. If you park in the Beachcomber lot, you'll have to pay a $15 fee - but you'll get a $15 voucher to use in the restaurant/bar/gift shop.

  Get there early, particularly on weekends. The lots often fill by mid-morning.

White Crest

Like Cahoon Hollow and a number of other Wellfleet beaches, White Crest also sits at the base of enormous dunes, and there's no staircase. So be prepared to lug yourself and your belongings up and down the rather steep sandy path.

White Crest is one of the premier surfing venues in Wellfleet, and it's the only town-owned beach where hang gliding is allowed.

Important - Hang gliding hours are strictly regulated and enforced. Regulations can be obtained at the beach sticker booth at Town Pier.

• Body of Water: Atlantic Ocean
• Crowd Factor: Not quite as busy as some other Wellfleet beaches. Popular with teens.
• Amenities: Lifeguards in season, restroom facilities, food concession.
• Location: Off Ocean View Drive (Rt. 6 to LeCount Hollow Road, then left on Ocean View Drive; or Rt. 6 to Cahoon Hollow Road, then right on Ocean View Drive).

• Parking: Medium sized lot, does fill on busy summer days. Parking with a Town of Wellfleet sticker or by paying a daily fee ($15) at the gate.

LeCount Hollow

LeCount Hollow (also known as Maguire's landing) gets my vote for the most beautiful of all Wellfleet beaches.

My favorite time to visit LeCount Hollow is during the fall, after the boogie-boarders and beach volleyballers have migrated south to warmer locales. As lovely as this beach is in summer, it's even better in the off-season, when the only ones you'll share it with might be a few seals here and there on the long, wide, deserted swath of sand. Heaven!

• Body of Water: Atlantic Ocean
• Crowd Factor: Not overly crowded in the summer. Blissfully quiet the rest of the year.
• Amenities: Lifeguard in season, restroom facilities, food concessions.
• Location: At the end of LeCount Hollow Road (off Rt. 6).
• Parking: Small lot. Town of Wellfleet sticker required.

Newcomb Hollow

Newcomb Hollow is the northernmost of all Wellfleet beaches. It's a large expanse of soft, white sand backed by a very steep dune.

The surf at Newcomb Hollow is suprisingly gentle, compared with other Atlantic Ocean beaches. That's a big plus for more tentative or inexperienced swimmers.

During the day, Newcomb Hollow is popular with families. At night, it's a hotspot for surf fishermen. Just be prepared to haul your beach stuff or fishing gear down - and back up - the side of the dune. That's the access to the beach, and there aren't any stairs.

• Body of Water: Atlantic Ocean
• Crowd Factor: Large enough that it rarely feels overcrowded.
• Amenities: Lifeguards in season, restroom facilities, food concession.
• Location: At the end of Gross Hill Road (off Rt. 6).
• Parking: Small lot. Town of Wellfleet sticker required.

Duck Harbor

Most Wellfleet beaches on the Bay side of town are within the sheltered confines of Wellfleet Harbor. Not Duck Harbor. Duck Harbor faces right out onto Cape Cod Bay. Ahhhh, the view!

This remote Wellfleet beach is a nice place to spend the day with family or friends, or bring your sweetheart for a romantic sunset getaway.

• Body of Water: Cape Cod Bay
• Crowd Factor: Even on the hottest summer day, it's usually pretty easy to find a spot all to yourself at Duck Harbor Beach.
• Amenities: None, other than restroom facilities.
• Location: Main Street (off Rt. 6) to Chequessett Neck Road, to Duck Harbor Road
Parking: Moderate amount of parking, by Town of Wellfleet sticker only.

Indian Neck Beach / M. Burton Baker Beach

These scenic bayside beaches have warm, relatively shallow water and pretty views of the Harbor.

They're also the only town-owned Wellfleet beaches where windsurfing/sailboarding is allowed.

• Body of Water: Cape Cod Bay/Wellfleet Harbor
• Crowd Factor: A good amount of room, especially at low tide.
• Amenities: None except restroom facilities.
• Location: Pilgrim Spring Road (off Rt. 6) to Indian Neck Road
• Parking: Limited. Town of Wellfleet sticker required.

Mayo Beach

Lots of folks love Mayo Beach for its location, adjacent to the Harbor and just a short walk from the shops, galleries and restaurants of "downtown" Wellfleet.

Mayo is on the Bay, so the water is warmer and much more calm than at the oceanside Wellfleet beaches.

When it's not a perfect beach day, or if the kids are looking for more activity than Mayo provides, there's Baker's Field just across the street. That's where you'll find a nice playground with slides, tunnels and lots of stuff for the young ones to climb on, plus a newly renovated skateboard park, recreation fields and public tennis courts.

• Body of Water: Cape Cod Bay/Wellfleet Harbor
• Crowd Factor: Sandy space can be in short supply on summer days, espacially at high tide.
• Amenities: None. Restrooms are available at Baker's Field, and one of the Cape's best seafood joints (Mac's) is within easy walking distance at the town pier.
• Location: Main Street (off Rt. 6) to Commercial Street to Kendrick Avenue.
• Parking: There's a small lot with free parking, but you'll need to get there early to get a spot during the summer months. If no spots are available, there's more public parking within walking distance to the beach at the town pier.