Chatham Light Beach
Chatham Light Beach is a beautiful, large beach close to the center of this picturesque town. It is located across the street from a small Coast Guard Station and the Chatham Light lighthouse. This area was not much of a beach until about 10 years ago, when the Great Barrier Beach broke due to pounding storm swells and hurricanes. The Chatham Break, as it is called, is a growing ocean channel between Nauset Beach and Monomoy Island. This new channel has shifted a significant amount of sand from the north to the south and created this magnificent beach. Nauset Beach protects it from heavy swells, but you can watch the waves crest about 200 yards away at the break. Beach grass, small dunes, and million-dollar homes surround the vast sand beach.
Cockle Cove Beach
Public Beach, parking fees, lifeguards and portable bathrooms. Available for special events. Download and fill out Permission To Use and mail or bring into the Park & Recreation Dept.
Forest Beach
Public Beach, limited parking, no restrooms, no fees.
Hardings Beach
Public Beach, parking fees, lifeguards, restrooms and snack mobile.
Jackknife Harbor Beach
Public beach, no fees, no restrooms.
Monomoy Island Beach
Monomoy Island is a paradise for lovers of nature and secluded beaches. It was established as a National Wildlife Refuge, and is operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 2,750 acre Refuge is accessible only by boat. It is comprised of barrier beach islands, sand dunes, freshwater ponds and marshes, and saltwater marshes. Seasonally the area harbors dozens of species of migratory birds, including large numbers of nesting shorebirds during the summer (including terns and the federally listed piping plover). A large colony of harbor seals uses the shallows and beaches of the Refuge seasonally as a sanctuary.
North Beach
For those seeking solitude, this is the place. Located at the southern end of OrleansÂ’ Nauset Beach, this beautiful stretch of beach is accessible only by boat.
Take your own from Pleasant Bay, or jump on a local area water taxi for a small fee.
Oyster Pond Beach
Public beach, no fees, no restrooms.
Ridgevale Beach
Public Beach, parking fees, lifeguards and portable bathrooms. Available for special events. Download and fill out Permission To Use and mail or bring in to the Park & Recreation Dept.
Schoolhouse Pond Beach
Resident only beach.
South Beach
Public beach, limited half hour parking, no restrooms. Shuttle bus available at Eldredge Service Station, Main Street.
White Pond Beach
Public beach, no fees, limited parking.