Yarmouth Beaches

No matter where you are in the town of Yarmouth, you're only minutes away from both the Bay and the Sound. Check out beaches on both bodies of water. You'll be amazed to see how different they are!

Amenities: Lifeguards, restrooms, shower facilities, and food concessions (on-site or mobile) are available at some beaches in Yarmouth, but not at others.

Where services or amenities are provided, they are available in-season only (generally from late-May to mid-September), and only during normal beach operating hours (generally from 9 a.m. to about 4 p.m.).

Parking Fees: In season, non-resident parking at most Yarmouth beaches is by daily ($15) or weekly ($70) pass. A few public beaches in Yarmouth offer free parking.

Non-resident parking passes may be purchased from the attendant in the booth at the beach parking lot. Call (508) 398-2231 for more info.

Gray's Beach (a/k/a Bass Hole Beach)

This is the Cape Cod Bay beach I mentioned above.

Families with young children love Gray's Beach. It's virtually wave-free, the beach slopes gently into the water, and tidal pools form as the tide goes out - leaving lots of places for kids to see hermit crabs and other small sea critters in their natural setting.

(FYI: When the tide is out at Gray's Beach, there's a lot of sand and not a lot of water.)

Evening is a great time to walk out on the boardwalk at Gray's Beach. The sunset over the Bay is not to be missed!

• Body of Water: Cape Cod Bay
• Crowd Factor: Sometimes busy, but limited parking keeps this beach from overcrowding.
• Amenities: Lifeguard in season, picnic area, very small boat ramp, boardwalk.
• Location: At the end of Center Street (off Rt. 6A) in Yarmouthport.
• Parking: This is one of several "free parking" Yarmouth beaches. There are limited spaces, but normally enough.

Seagull Beach

Seagull Beach is one of the prettiest Nantucket Sound beaches in the Mid-Cape region (IMHO).

It's huge, the sand is light and soft, the waves are gentle, and the views of the Sound are panoramic.

Seagull Beach is a favorite with teens and young adults.

• Body of Water: Nantucket Sound
• Crowd Factor: Lots of visitors, but it's easy to find your own space.
• Amenities: Lifeguards in season, restroom and shower facilities, snack bar, handicap access surf chairs available.
• Location: Rt. 28 to South Sea Avenue to Seagull Road in West Yarmouth.
• Parking: Very large lot. Does fill up at times on peak summer days. Parking fee ($15/day, $70/week).

Bass River Beach (a/k/a Smuggler's Beach)

This is one of those Yarmouth beaches that really does have something for everyone ...

Calm waters for timid swimmers, soft sand and great views for sunbathers, and great fishing spots for anyone who wants to join family or friends for a day of sun and fun - and have a chance to reel in dinner, too.

Smugglers Beach also has a spacious viewing platform just off the parking lot for folks who'd rather not get sand in their shorts.

• Body of Water: Nantucket Sound
• Crowd Factor: Moderately to very busy on prime beach days.
• Amenities: Lifeguards in season, restroom and shower facilliteis, snack bar, boat ramp, boat trailer parking, fishing pier, viewing platform, rock jetty.
• Location: South Shore Drive (off Rt. 28) in South Yarmouth.
• Parking: Large lot. Parking fee ($15/day, $70/week).

Seaview Beach

Seaview is a nice choice of Yarmouth beaches for anyone who just wants a comfy spot to plunk a chair and relax for a few hours.

This beach is small, with soft, nearly white sand, calm surf and a nice view of Nantucket Sound. However, the "jellyfish alert" signs make me think twice about going in the water.

• Body of Water: Nantucket Sound
• Crowd Factor: Not too crowded.
• Amenities: Lifeguard in season, ice cream truck comes by, restroom facility.
• Location: South Shore Drive (off Rt. 28) in South Yarmouth.
• Parking: Medium sized lot. Parking fee ($15/day, $70/week).

Parkers River Beach

Parkers River is one of the more popular Yarmouth beaches on the Nantucket Sound side of town. It's in a very scenic location, and has lots of extras - including a gazebo, bike racks, rock jetties for fishing, and a playground for the kids.

In July and August, Parkers River Beach tends to be a bit more busy than I prefer. But many visitors love it and keep coming back year after year.

• Body of Water: Nantucket Sound
• Crowd Factor: Moderately to very crowded during prime summer days.
• Amenities: Lifeguard in season, restroom facilities, and all the "extras" described above.
• Location: South Shore Drive (off Rt. 28) in South Yarmouth.
• Parking: The lot is large, but it does fill up on occasion. Parking fee ($15/day, $70/week).

Englewood Beach

Englewood is one of the smaller Yarmouth beaches, set on a protected cove on Lewis Bay.

This is a very family friendly beach with warm, shallow water and virtually no wave action. There's a small play area for the kids, and an ice cream truck stops by every afternoon during the summer months.

• Body of Water: Nantucket Sound (Lewis Bay)
• Crowd Factor: Not crowded.
• Amenities: Porta-potty, small play area, ice cream vendor, public boat ramp (but virtually nowhere to park your vehicle and trailer).
• Location: Bear right at the end of Berry Avenue (off Rt. 28) in West Yarmouth.
• Parking: This is one of the "free parking" Yarmouth beaches I mentioned above. But there are very few spaces in the lot.

Bay View Beach

Bay View is a medium-sized neighborhood beach on the Hyannis/Yarmouth town line.

This is a great place to sit and watch the ferries, fishing boats and pleasure yachts cruising in and out of Hyannis Harbor. Children enjoy splashing in the water, playing on the swings, and climbing the small jungle-gym at this beach.

The water is generally quite warm at Bay View, and there aren't any waves to speak of - except when one of the big boats goes by and throws its wake onshore.

Note: If you'll be here during 4th of July week, Bay View is an excellent viewing spot for the fireworks display over Lewis Bay. It's also a perfect vantage point to watch the Holiday Boat Parade in early December.

• Body of Water: Nantucket Sound
• Crowd Factor: Rarely crowded.
• Amenities: None.
• Location: Bayview Street (off Rt. 28) in West Yarmouth.
• Parking: Free, but few spaces.