A barrier sandbar beach below the working Chatham Light, reachable only on foot or by boat. The calm north end draws swimmers and seals haul out on the exposed bars at low tide, while the south tip stays permanently closed to swimming near the inlet.
What to expect
Parking
Resident sticker Free with resident sticker; no non-resident passes accepted
Swimming
Allowed water tested by the state
Hours
Chatham beaches and their lots are closed 10pm until one hour before sunrise; lifeguards run 9am to 4:30pm daily, June 20 through August 31. That's the town default unless posted otherwise.
From June 20Season
Open access year-round; the Bridge Street overlook lot has a sticker requirement and 30-minute limit only July 1-Labor Day, 9am-5pm.
Lifeguard
No stationed lifeguards; beach and boat patrols only, roughly 9:30am-5:30pm in season.
Dogs
Prohibited May 1-Sep 15, like all Chatham public beaches except Jacknife Harbor.
Banned now · back Sep 15Wildlife/Seal Watching
Allowed year-round, best at low tide
Managed by
Chatham Recreation & Beaches Division
508-945-5175 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Resident sticker
CostFree with resident sticker; no non-resident passes acceptedStickerChatham resident/taxpayer beach/combination sticker, required Jul 1-Labor Day 9am-5pm
Bridge Street overlook lot
Details unconfirmed
Bridge Street overlook lot
CostFree with resident sticker; no non-resident passes accepted
Access points along this beach
Bridge Street overlook lot
30-minute limit; viewpoint plus foot path toward the sandbar
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Show the full year
Average water temperature at Lighthouse Beach by month, in °F| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|
| 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 Lighthouse Beach 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.
Why is part of Lighthouse Beach closed to swimming?
The south tip sits right at the Chatham inlet/break where the Atlantic meets Nantucket Sound; currents there are dangerous, so the town permanently signs and closes that section to swimming even though the rest of the beach is open.
Where do I park to see the lighthouse and beach?
The small Bridge Street overlook lot is a 30-minute stop only (sticker required in summer); there's no other vehicle parking at the beach itself since it's on a sandbar reached by boat or a long walk.
What's the water temperature at Lighthouse Beach?
Water at Lighthouse Beach 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 Lighthouse Beach?
South tip of the beach is permanently closed to swimming (signed) due to strong currents near the inlet/break; no lifeguard on the sand.
Are dogs allowed at Lighthouse Beach?
Prohibited May 1-Sep 15, like all Chatham public beaches except Jacknife Harbor.
Is there an entry fee at Lighthouse Beach?
No, entry is free.
Do you need a beach sticker to park at Lighthouse Beach?
Yes, parking here uses a resident sticker. Free with resident sticker; no non-resident passes accepted.