Yarmouth Beaches

Yarmouth’s shoreline offers the quintessential Cape Cod beach experience. From the calm, historic waters of Cape Cod Bay to the expansive, sandy stretches along Nantucket Sound—plus our hidden freshwater ponds—you will find the perfect spot to relax, explore, or play.

Beach Management Notice: Gated beach parking lots are locked at 10 PM and opened at 8 AM. Daily parking passes and seasonal stickers are managed directly through the Town of Yarmouth.

Saltwater Beaches

Bass Hole (Gray’s Beach)

Located off Center Street, Bass Hole is famous for its iconic wooden boardwalk stretching far out over the salt marsh. It is a premier destination for viewing spectacular Cape Cod sunsets, exploring coastal wildlife, and letting young children splash safely in the calm tide pools left behind at low tide.

  • Location: End of Center Street, Yarmouth Port
  • Vibe: Scenic, nature-focused, perfect for sunsets and young families
  • Amenities: Boardwalk, pavilion, picnic area (reservations required for groups), restrooms, playground, nature trail access. Unlocked.

Smuggler’s Beach (Bass River)

A vibrant, spacious beach on Nantucket Sound that truly has it all. Excellent for a full day by the ocean, watching boats navigate the river mouth, or enjoying a family night out.

  • Location: South Shore Drive, South Yarmouth
  • Vibe: Active, amenity-rich, classic soft-sand beach
  • Amenities: Lifeguards, snack bar/mobile food concessions, fishing deck, boat ramp, large parking area, restrooms, showers, handicap accessible. Locked at night.

Seagull Beach

Yarmouth's largest and most popular stretch of sand on Nantucket Sound. This expansive beach offers clean, rolling dunes and plenty of space for windsurfing, swimming, and classic beach games.

  • Location: Off Seagull Road, West Yarmouth
  • Vibe: High-energy, vast, classic deep-sand shoreline
  • Amenities: Lifeguards, bathhouse, indoor showers, food concession, expansive parking lot, handicap accessible. Locked at night.

Parker’s River Beach

A long, narrow beach situated along South Shore Drive that is a favorite for families. Its bustling atmosphere, excellent amenities, and concrete seawall walkway make it a premier spot for a classic beach day.

  • Location: Off South Shore Drive, South Yarmouth
  • Vibe: Lively, family-centric, and popular
  • Amenities: Lifeguards, playground, bathhouse, food concession, showers, concrete walk on the seawall, pavilion, handicap accessible. Hosts Yarmouth Summer Concert Series. Locked at night.

Bay View Beach

A charming, mid-sized beach with light foot traffic, making it a peaceful alternative for beachgoers. Visitors can sit back and watch boats pass by on their way in and out of the nearby harbor.

  • Location: End of Bay View Street, West Yarmouth
  • Vibe: Quiet, relaxed, and great for boat-watching
  • Amenities: Calm waters, beach area, seasonal portable restroom, handicap accessible. No lifeguards on duty. Unlocked.

Colonial Acres Beach

A popular spot for families with young children due to its exceptionally calm waters. Visitors can cross the scenic wooden bridge onto a shoreline full of small rocky treasures and enjoy views of incoming vessels.

  • Location: End of Standish Way, West Yarmouth
  • Vibe: Quaint, family-friendly, and scenic
  • Amenities: Small beach area, marina views, wooden bridge, small parking lot, seasonal portable restroom. Unlocked.

Englewood Beach

A peaceful, low-profile spot that is highly enjoyed by shell collectors and those looking for a quieter day by the water. It also serves as an easy access point for boaters.

  • Location: End of Berry Avenue, West Yarmouth
  • Vibe: Quiet, local, and calm
  • Amenities: Small beach area, boat ramp, jetty, small parking lot, handicap accessible. Unlocked.

Thatcher’s Beach

Overlooking the calm waters and small waves of Nantucket Sound, Thatcher’s Beach is a wonderful place to sit back, unwind, and take in the open ocean views away from the larger crowds.

  • Location: South Shore Drive, South Yarmouth
  • Vibe: Relaxed and low-key
  • Amenities: Sandy beach, limited parking, beach sticker or daily fee required. No lifeguards on duty. Unlocked.

Sea View Beach

Offering clean sand and beautiful open vistas of Nantucket Sound, Sea View Beach provides a mid-sized alternative that rarely gets overly crowded. Parking is conveniently located right next to the sand.

  • Location: Off South Shore Drive, South Yarmouth
  • Vibe: Uncrowded, clean, and convenient
  • Amenities: Concrete walk on the seawall, picnic area, parking lot, seasonal portable restroom. No lifeguards on duty. Locked at night.

South Middle Beach

A dedicated, resident-only beach that offers a deep sandy shoreline away from the water's edge. The waters are relatively warm and calm, making it a peaceful retreat for local sticker holders.

  • Location: South Shore Drive, South Yarmouth
  • Vibe: Residents-only, peaceful, and spacious
  • Amenities: Restroom facilities, handicap accessible, large parking lot with 253 spots located across the street (requires a moderate walk with stairs to access the beach). Locked at night.

Wilbur Park Beach

Primarily known and loved as a convenient boat launch on the river, this spot features a very small section of sand that appears during low tide, making it a great quick stop for boaters and kayakers.

  • Location: Highbank Road, South Yarmouth
  • Vibe: Maritime, active boat launch
  • Amenities: Picnic area, boat ramp, parking lot, seasonal portable restroom. No lifeguards on duty. Locked at night.

Windmill Beach

Named after the historic Judah Baker Windmill standing nearby, this small beach area is rich in seashells and history. The sand is muddy and the beach area is practically non-existent during high tide, making it best for quick, historic strolls.

  • Location: Off River Street, South Yarmouth
  • Vibe: Historic, scenic, and small
  • Amenities: Historic landmark views, limited parking. No facilities or lifeguards on duty. Unlocked.

Freshwater Beaches & Recreation

Flax Pond Recreation Area

A favorite destination for families seeking a break from the ocean waves. Flax Pond offers a shaded, wooded setting with a calm freshwater shoreline and an array of recreational activities.

  • Location: Dupont Lane, South Yarmouth
  • Vibe: Active, family-friendly, and shaded
  • Amenities: Lifeguards (seasonal), bathhouse/restrooms, playground, picnic areas, volleyball and basketball courts. Locked at night.

Sandy Pond Recreation Area

This expansive recreation spot features a clear freshwater beach alongside excellent community sports facilities, making it perfect for an entire afternoon of active play and relaxation for the whole family—including pets.

  • Location: Buck Island Road, West Yarmouth
  • Vibe: Recreational, community-focused, and active
  • Amenities: Freshwater beach, splash pad, town dog park, playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, softball field, picnic area, and restroom facilities. No lifeguards on duty. Locked at night.

Long Pond (Wing’s Grove)

Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood setting, Wings Grove provides a shaded grove right on the edge of Long Pond. It is a peaceful spot to sit under the trees or let the kids play on the shore.

  • Location: Indian Memorial Drive, South Yarmouth
  • Vibe: Quiet, shaded, and relaxed
  • Amenities: Small freshwater beach, playground, basketball hoop, picnic tables, and a seasonal portable restroom. Unlocked.

Dennis Pond

A serene, traditional Cape Cod kettle pond that offers a quiet escape for swimming, relaxing on the small sandy shore, or launching a kayak.

  • Location: Summer Street, Yarmouth Port
  • Vibe: Peaceful, natural, and low-key
  • Amenities: Small beach area, shoreline kayak/canoe launch, and limited parking (Yarmouth Resident Beach Sticker required to park). No lifeguards or permanent facilities on duty. Unlocked.