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
From mid-JuneSeason
Beach open access year-round; gate staffed for daily-pass sales roughly mid-June through Labor Day; bathhouse open June 22-Labor Day
Entry fee
None to enter; parking is $30/day cash or check, or a Town of Eastham beach sticker
Accessibility
Mobi-Mat path and a loaner beach wheelchair (first-come, first-served) set out in season; handicap-accessible portable toilet; low dunes and shallow water
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
Allowed now · ban starts June 15Managed 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)
Samoset Rd lot (First Encounter)
Cost$30/day cash or check only; also accepts Town of Eastham beach sticker
Access points along this beach
Mobi-Mat beach access path
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
Bathhouse at the main lot
Changing rooms
bathhouse with changing rooms · seasonal
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Show the full year
Average water temperature at First Encounter 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 First Encounter 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.
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 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 First Encounter Beach?
Water at First Encounter 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 First Encounter Beach?
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 confirmed on First Encounter's own page).
Can you swim at First Encounter Beach?
Yes. First Encounter 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 First Encounter Beach?
None to enter; parking is $30/day cash or check, or a Town of Eastham beach sticker
Do you need a beach sticker to park at First Encounter Beach?
A beach sticker applies to parking here. $30/day cash or check only; also accepts Town of Eastham beach sticker.