Cockle Cove is a Chatham town beach on Nantucket Sound. Parking needs a resident/taxpayer beach or combination sticker or a beach visitors pass, sold at the gate in cash or by credit card.
What to expect
Parking
Paid lot $30/day, $90/week, $190/season (2026 non-resident visitor rate); free with resident/taxpayer beach sticker
Swimming
Allowed water tested by the state
Hours
Dawn to dusk generally; lots open 1hr before sunrise, close 10pm; lifeguards/gatehouse staffed 9am-5pm in season.
Season
Open year-round; lots open 1hr before sunrise, close 10pm; gatehouse/fee staffed in season.
Dogs
No dogs Memorial Day-Labor Day; leashed permitted off-season.
Allowed now · ban starts Memorial DayManaged by
Chatham Recreation & Beaches Division
(508) 945-5175 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Paid lot
Cost$30/day, $90/week, $190/season (2026 non-resident visitor rate); free with resident/taxpayer beach stickerStickerChatham resident/taxpayer beach sticker or non-resident visitor pass
Cockle Cove Road lot (gatehouse)
Cockle Cove Road lot (gatehouse)
Cost$30/day, $90/week, $190/season (2026 non-resident visitor rate); free with resident/taxpayer beach sticker
Access points along this beach
Gatehouse lot entrance
Staffed in season
Footbridge over the tidal creek
Connects the lot to the sand; kids wade the creek at low tide
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
Portable restrooms at the lot
Showers
Rinse showers at the lot
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Show the full year
Average water temperature at Cockle Cove by month, in °F| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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| Water °F | 40° | 39° | 42° | 49° | 55° | 63° | 69° | 68° | 66° | 60° | 50° | 44° |
|---|
Monthly averages from NOAA, Chatham (2022 to 2024). Today's reading is in the conditions above.
Common questions
Is Cockle Cove in Chatham open today?
Open, no advisory on record in the latest MA DPH posting (updated 2026-09-13). MA DPH is the authority. Check the status the morning you go.
Is there parking at Cockle Cove, and what does it cost?
Paid lot ($30/day, $90/week, $190/season (2026 non-resident visitor rate); free with resident/taxpayer beach sticker). Cockle Cove Road lot (gatehouse)
Are there restrooms at Cockle Cove?
Public restrooms are listed near the beach. Seasonal hours are common, so they may be closed off-season.
What's the water temperature at Cockle Cove?
Water at Cockle Cove averages about 39°F in February and 69°F in July, based on NOAA readings at Chatham from 2022 to 2024. For today's temperature, see the conditions above.
What rules should I know at Cockle Cove?
No dogs Memorial Day-Labor Day.
Can you swim at Cockle Cove?
Yes. Cockle Cove has no swimming advisory in the latest MA DPH posting (updated 2026-09-13). Check again the morning you go.
Are dogs allowed at Cockle Cove?
No dogs Memorial Day-Labor Day; leashed permitted off-season.
Is there an entry fee at Cockle Cove?
No, entry is free.
Do you need a beach sticker to park at Cockle Cove?
A beach sticker applies to parking here. $30/day, $90/week, $190/season (2026 non-resident visitor rate); free with resident/taxpayer beach sticker.