A surf beach on the south shore between the Moshup Trail lot and the cliffs, with bigger waves than the neighboring public beach and clear views back to the bluffs. Access is limited to Aquinnah homeowners, lessees, and their guests, a residency rule the town tightened in 2012.
What to expect
Parking
Permit resident/lessee parking permit required
Swimming
Water not monitored off-season
Dogs
Dogs must be leashed or otherwise restrained whenever off the owner's premises, under Chapter XVI of Aquinnah's General By-laws. Fines are $5 for a first offence, $10 for a second and $25 thereafter.
Managed by
Town of Aquinnah Beach Department
508-645-2300 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Permit
Costresident/lessee parking permit requiredStickerAquinnah resident pass (one per household; $100 for a second, accessory-dwelling pass)
Philbin Beach resident lot
Details unconfirmed
Philbin Beach resident lot
Costresident/lessee parking permit requiredSpacesunconfirmed
renters park at the Cliff Lot instead and walk in
Access points along this beach
Getting to the beach
Off Moshup Trail; renters without a resident parking permit are directed to park at the Cliff Lot and walk in
Worth knowing
- Before a 2012 town vote, some non-resident owners kept beach access rights tied to older, non-buildable lots; that loophole was closed and access is now tied to current Aquinnah residency or lease.
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Show the full year
Average water temperature at Philbin Beach by month, in °F| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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| Water °F | 39° | 37° | 41° | 48° | 56° | 66° | 73° | 74° | 70° | 62° | 54° | 44° |
|---|
Monthly averages from NOAA, Woods Hole (2022 to 2024). Today's reading is in the conditions above.
Common questions
Is Philbin Beach in Aquinnah open today?
Philbin Beach is not monitored right now. MA DPH samples beach water Memorial Day to Labor Day and posts no advisories or all-clears off-season, so there is no swim status to report. Swimming off-season is at your own risk.
Can visitors without an Aquinnah address get onto Philbin Beach?
Only with a purchased walk-on pass; there is no public parking or drop-in access otherwise. Passes are sold through the town beach permit office.
Is there parking at Philbin Beach, and what does it cost?
Permit (resident/lessee parking permit required). Philbin Beach resident lot
What's the water temperature at Philbin Beach?
Water at Philbin Beach averages about 37°F in February and 74°F in August, based on NOAA readings at Woods Hole from 2022 to 2024. For today's temperature, see the conditions above.
Can you swim at Philbin Beach?
There is no MA DPH swim status for Philbin Beach off-season: the state samples beach water Memorial Day to Labor Day. Swimming off-season is at your own risk; check conditions posted at the beach.
Are dogs allowed at Philbin Beach?
Dogs must be leashed or otherwise restrained whenever off the owner's premises, under Chapter XVI of Aquinnah's General By-laws. Fines are $5 for a first offence, $10 for a second and $25 thereafter.