Eastham's widest bay beach and the traditional site of the Pilgrims' first encounter with the Nauset people in 1620. A staffed gate, bathhouse, and Mobi-Mat make it the town's most amenity-rich bay beach.
What to expect
Parking
Paid lot $30/day cash or check only; also accepts Town of Eastham beach sticker
Swimming
Allowed water tested by the state
Hours
Beach itself open access dawn-dusk; gate attendant sells daily passes roughly mid-June through Labor Day
Accessible
Wheelchair access noted
Lifeguard
No lifeguards at any Town of Eastham beach
Dogs
No animals or pets on any Town of Eastham beach, in beach parking areas, or in vehicles in those areas June 15-Labor Day; leashed or under voice control the rest of the year
Managed by
Eastham Recreation & Beach Department
(508) 240-5974 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Paid lot
Cost$30/day cash or check only; also accepts Town of Eastham beach stickerStickerTown of Eastham Beach Sticker or Visitor Sticker ($75 3-day / $120 1-wk / $175 2-wk / $300 season, 2024 rates, confirm current-year price)
Samoset Rd lot (First Encounter)
Access points along this beach
Mobi-Mat beach access path
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
Bathhouse at the main lot
Common questions
Is First Encounter in Eastham open today?
Open, no advisory on record in the latest MA DPH posting (updated 2026-07-16). MA DPH is the authority. Check the status the morning you go.
No - dogs and other pets are banned from every Town of Eastham beach, including First Encounter, from June 15 through Labor Day; the rest of the year they're allowed on a leash or under voice control.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Yes - a Mobi-Mat path and a loaner beach wheelchair (first-come, first-served) are set out in season, plus a handicap-accessible portable toilet; the bathhouse is also open and accessible June 22-Labor Day.
Where do I park if the lot is full?
First Encounter is one of only four Eastham beaches selling $30 cash/check daily passes (the others are Campground, Cook's Brook, and Wiley Park); if this lot fills, those are the same-day alternatives. Eastham's town passes and stickers are not valid at the Cape Cod National Seashore's ocean beaches.
Are there restrooms at First Encounter?
Public restrooms are listed near the beach. Seasonal hours are common, so they may be closed off-season.
What rules should I know at First Encounter?
No lifeguard on duty; swim at your own risk. No animals/pets on the beach or in the parking area June 15-Labor Day. No alcohol, open fires, or glass containers (general Eastham beach rule observed at comparable town beaches; not independently confirmed on First Encounter's own page).
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