One of the most photographed beaches in New England, backed by dunes and the mouth of Nauset Marsh, with the Fort Hill bluffs visible to the south. Summer visitors reach the sand by shuttle rather than by driving straight to a lot, so plan on a short ride in during the season.
What to expect
Parking
Paid lot $25/day/vehicle (NPS, card only); $60 CCNS season pass
Swimming
Allowed water tested by the state
Hours
Beach open dawn-dusk; shuttle runs 9am-5pm in season
Season
Open year-round; parking restricted to Eastham residents/handicap placards Memorial Day-mid-Sept (shuttle required for general public in that window); no parking restrictions off-season
Entry fee
$25/day/vehicle, $20/motorcycle, $15/pedestrian-cyclist (NPS, card only) at the Little Creek lot; $60 Cape Cod National Seashore season pass; free for Eastham residents with sticker in the small on-beach resident/handicap section
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible ramp to the beach; free beach wheelchairs available (subject to availability); accessible parking at the on-beach lot
Lifeguard
On duty late June-Labor Day
Off duty · back late JuneDogs
Leashed dogs (6 ft max) allowed on the beach north of the main access point, outside the lifeguard-protected area; not permitted on lifeguard-protected beach in summer or through posted shorebird-nesting closures; dogs are not allowed on…
Birdwatching
Allowed year-round
Managed by
Cape Cod National Seashore
508-255-3421 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Little Creek lot (Nauset Rd)
Cost$25/day/vehicle (NPS, card only); $60 CCNS season pass
On-beach lot (small, resident/handicap only in summer)
CostFree for Eastham residents with Ocean Beach sticker; free for handicap placard holders
Access points along this beach
Little Creek shuttle staging lot
main summer access; shuttle to the beach
Nauset Bike Trail beach access
paved bike-trail spur running ~1 mi from the Salt Pond Visitor Center directly to the beach
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
Little Creek staging area / beach access
Drinking water
water bottle-filling station near the beach access
Showers
outdoor rinse stations near the boardwalk; no indoor showers or private changing rooms
Changing rooms
handicap-accessible changing rooms near the beach access
Picnic area
picnic tables at the beach access area
Info kiosk
information kiosk at the access point
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Show the full year
Average water temperature at Coast Guard 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 Coast Guard Beach in Eastham 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.
Where do I park if the lot is full?
In summer there is no direct beach parking for the general public. Park at the Little Creek lot on Nauset Rd ($25/day) and take the free shuttle, which runs about every 10 minutes from 9am to 5pm. The tiny on-beach lot is reserved for Eastham residents with a sticker and handicap-placard holders.
Can I bring my dog, and when?
Leashed dogs on a 6-foot lead are allowed on the stretch north of the main access, outside the lifeguard-protected area. They're barred from the lifeguard-protected swim area in summer, from the shuttle, and from any posted shorebird-nesting closure.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
A gradually sloping ramp leads to the sand, and free beach wheelchairs are available first-come, first-served at the beach access point; a water bottle-filling station and outdoor rinse stations are nearby.
Are there restrooms at Coast Guard Beach?
Public restrooms are listed near the beach. Seasonal hours are common, so they may be closed off-season.
What's the water temperature at Coast Guard Beach?
Water at Coast Guard 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 Coast Guard Beach?
Dogs not on shuttle; posted shorebird-nesting closures bar pets and sometimes pedestrians in specific areas spring-early summer.
Can you swim at Coast Guard Beach?
Yes. Coast Guard Beach has no swimming advisory in the latest MA DPH posting (updated 2026-09-13). Check again the morning you go.
Is there an entry fee at Coast Guard Beach?
Yes, $25/day/vehicle, $20/motorcycle, $15/pedestrian-cyclist (NPS, card only) at the Little Creek lot; $60 Cape Cod National Seashore season pass; free for Eastham residents with sticker in the small on-beach resident/handicap section