10 Best Beaches in Harwich, Massachusetts on Cape Cod

Harwich, Massachusetts is a beloved Cape Cod town that offers some of the finest beaches in the area. Many of the Harwich beaches are located on the Nantucket Sound which is known for offering great water during the summer months that is often calm, clear, and warm. The town of Harwich also features a public beach on Pleasant Bay at the town’s easternmost point. Additionally, if you are not big into ocean swimming, there are some landlocked beaches at Harwich’s freshwater ponds. These beaches definitely all have strong followings so be sure to arrive at them earlier on nice summer days to guarantee a parking spot. For the most popular beaches like Red River and Bank Street, try to arrive before 9 am on sunny summer days. 

With that, here are the 10 best beaches in Harwich:

 

1. Red River Beach

When it comes to beaches in Harwich, Red River Beach is often considered one of the best. This beach has many benefits that have led to its popularity. It is located on the Nantucket Sound which allows it to benefit from calm, clear, and warm water during the summer months. The beach also has several jetties which help keep the coastline in good shape and make for fun fishing spots. 

Another big benefit of Red River Beach is the size of its parking lot. Many beaches in Harwich have smaller lots compared to other Cape Cod towns. Red River Beach can accommodate a whopping 200 cars. Along with a big parking lot, the beach also stretches out for half a mile which makes it one of the largest public stretches of beach in Harwich. This is a great sandy spot for people of all ages whether you looking to relax, swim, or walk.

Amenities: Seasonal bathrooms and lifeguards

Parking: During the summer months, the parking lot typically fills up early in the morning on nice summer days. It is best to arrive around 9 am to guarantee a parking space. Beach stickers are required during the summer to park at Red River Beach. Residents can purchase annual beach stickers for $30. Non-residents can purchase daily passes for $20 or season passes for $150.

 

2. Bank Street Beach

Bank Street Beach is another favorite Harwich beach located along the Nantucket Sound. This beach can be found just off Main Street and can be reached by walking from downtown. The beach itself offers plenty of gorgeous white sand for beachgoers to set up on. During the summer, there are lifeguards, bathrooms, and also a food truck that operates 7 days a week. Head to the beach early to secure a parking spot and then enjoy a day full of tanning, swimming, building sandcastles, and boogie boarding. 

Amenities: Seasonal bathrooms, lifeguards, and food truck

Parking: There are about 60 parking spots at Bank Street Beach. Beach stickers are required to park at Bank Street during the summer. Residents can purchase annual beach stickers for $30. Non-residents can purchase daily passes for $20 or season passes for $150.

 

3. Cahoon Landing Beach  - Long Pond

Harwich offers many great saltwater beaches along the Nantucket Sound, but what about freshwater beaches? Cape Cod has 365 ponds and a few can be found in Harwich, including the largest pond - Long Pond. Long Pond has several swimming beaches and one of the best is Cahoon Landing Beach, also known as Wixon Memorial Beach. This beach can be found at the eastern end of the pond along Cahoon Road. Visitors can park in the 30-car lot right at this sandy stretch of shoreline.

Cahoon Landing Beach is a good-sized beach with a roped-off swimming area and water that is calm, clear, and warm during the summer. Seasonally, there is a floating raft within the swimming area which is always fun for children and those young at heart. Also, during the summer, there are lifeguards and portable restrooms. Along with swimming, some beachgoers opt to launch boats at the beach’s small boat launch. Boats with less than 10 hp engines are welcome along with any paddle watercraft and sailboats. Long Pond is a wonderful place for boating due to its size.

Amenities: Seasonal roped-off swimming area, floating raft, boat launch, lifeguards, and restrooms

Parking: There are about 30 parking spots at Cahoon Landing Beach. Beach stickers are required to park at Cahoon Landing during the summer. Residents can purchase annual beach stickers for $30. Non-residents can purchase daily passes for $20 or season passes for $150.

 

4. Long Pond Beach

Long Pond Beach is another great beach option for Harwich visitors looking to swim at a freshwater beach. Long Pond Beach is just 1.8 miles down the road from Cahoon Landing Beach and it is also located on Long Pond, hence its name. Long Pond Beach features a good-sized sandy beach and it has a sectioned-off swim area which is excellent to ensure safety. There are lifeguards on duty seasonally along with restrooms and changing rooms. 

The beach has a great boat ramp which is perfect for launching motor boats (with less than 10 horsepower engines), paddle boats, and sailboats. Long Pond is the largest pond on Cape Cod and it offers great fishing, wind for sailing, and unique shorelines to admire.

Amenities: Seasonal roped-off swimming area, boat launch, lifeguards, and restrooms

Parking: There are about 40 parking spots at Long Pond Beach. Beach stickers are required to park during the summer. Residents can purchase annual beach stickers for $30. Non-residents can purchase daily passes for $20 or season passes for $150.

 

5. Pleasant Road Beach

Pleasant Road Beach is another beloved beach in town. This beach offers a sandy stretch along the Nantucket Sound that serves as the perfect spot to stay during a nice summer day. Beachgoers can enjoy swimming, tanning, walking, and watching the boats go all around the sound.

The beach boasts the second largest beach parking lot in the town as it has room for 92 cars. That said, the lot does fill up quickly on hot summer days. During the summer months, there are lifeguards and portable restrooms. 

Amenities: Seasonal lifeguards and restrooms

Parking: There are 92 parking spots at Pleasant Road Beach. Beach stickers are required to park in the beach lot during the summer. Residents can purchase annual beach stickers for $30. Non-residents can purchase daily passes for $20 or season passes for $150.

 

6. Pleasant Bay Beach / Jackknife Cove

Harwich has a pretty unique town line and one of the oddities is that a tiny sliver of the town stretches all the way to Pleasant Bay. Fortunately, there is a public beach on this tiny section of land. Pleasant Bay Beach, also known as Jacknife Cove, can be found right along Route 28. The beach is actually split between Harwich and Chatham. Visitors on the Harwich side can pull over along the road and walk right on the beach. 

Pleasant Bay Beach is one of the few public beaches on Pleasant Bay and it has a whole lot to offer. Beachgoers can enjoy swimming around in the super calm and clear water that is often pretty warm. Building sandcastles, relaxing on the shore, and shellfishing (with a permit) are other popular activities. This is also an excellent beach to launch a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. Paddlers can go around the bay and also under the Route 28 bridge to Muddy Creek! 

Amenities: None

Parking: 10 parking spaces can be found for Pleasant Bay Beach right along Route 28. Parking is free. 

 

7. Seymour Pond Beach

Seymour Pond, also known as Bangs Pond, is a beautiful 181-acre natural kettlehole pond in Brewster, Massachusetts. A public beach can be found at the eastern edge of the pond. This sandy beach stretches for about 300 feet. It is a wonderful beach to visit to beat the summertime heat on the Cape. The water of Seymour Pond is clean, clear, and usually pretty warm. Many beachgoers bring floats to the pond. Ultimately, this is a wonderful freshwater swimming option for people of all ages. 

If swimming isn’t your thing, just admire the views, bag some rays, and relax on the sand. There is a parking area where beach passes are required during the summer months. The Seymour Pond Beach is also easily accessible via the Cape Cod Rail Trail which runs just feet from it. The pond is extremely peaceful due to only a little of the shoreline being developed 

Amenities: Benches and picnic tables

Parking: There is a sandy parking area found right at Seymour Pond Beach located just off the side of Route 124. Beach stickers are required to park during the summer. Daily parking stickers are not sold or valid for Seymour Pond. Weekly and seasonal passes are only accepted for parking during the summer.

 

8. Earle Road Beach

Earle Road Beach is another great beach located on the Nantucket Sound. This beach can be found in West Harwich, just about a mile south of Route 28. The beach features a large parking lot with about 90 spaces. This beach is pretty small considering how many parent spaces are available. That said, it is still a wonderful place to visit, especially on hot summer days when trying to beat the heat. There are lifeguards on duty during the summer months along with seasonal bathrooms. 

Amenities: Seasonal lifeguards, seasonal bathrooms, and benches

Parking: The lot can be found at the end of Earle Road. There are 90 parking spaces and fees are collected during the summer months. Residents can purchase annual beach stickers for $30. Non-residents can purchase daily passes for $20 or season passes for $150.

 

9. Grey Neck Beach

Grey Neck Beach is located just a stone's throw away from Earle Road Beach. Grey Neck Beach is a very lowkey and small beach. Its parking area can hold just 9 cars and that is just about how many parties can comfortably share this beach. Luckily, the beach is only usually busy on hot summer days. Grey Neck is located on the Nantucket Sound, so beachgoers can expect great swimming conditions, soft sand, and endless views.

Amenities: None

Parking: Small lot along Grey Neck Road that can hold 9 cars. Beach stickers are required to park during the summer. Daily parking stickers are not sold or valid for Grey Neck Beach. Weekly and seasonal passes are only accepted for parking during the summer.

 

10. Sand Pond Beach

Sand Pond Beach is another awesome freshwater beach in Harwich, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. Salt Pond is a beautiful 27-acre pond surrounded by lush forests and a few homes. The beach at Salt Pond is sandy and offers easy access to the clear and warm water. During the summer, this is a great place to cool down. There are also some large trees in the beach area which provide natural shade. Paddling with a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard is always a fun activity here.

There is a large parking lot right at Sand Pond Beach that can accommodate about 80 cars. Seasonal or weekly beach stickers are required to park at the beach during the summer and no daily passes are sold or accepted. The beach area is also just a few hundred feet off the Cape Cod Rail Trail and there are bike racks at the beach. 

Amenities: Roped off swimming area

Parking: 80 parking spaces and weekly/seasonal parking passes are required during the summer. No daily passes are sold or accepted.

 

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post covering the 10 best beaches in Harwich, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. I have spent countless days at the beaches of Harwich and love them all so very much. While it is always fun visiting these beaches during the summer to swim, tan, and relax, I also have fun visiting them during the off-season. During the off-season, these beaches are typically rather quiet and allow dogs which is important for me. They are magical places to walk and enjoy year-round. No matter when you make it to Harwich, be sure to stop by some of these beaches.