A bluff-top ocean beach below the relocated Nauset Light, reached by a fairly steep gravel path down from the parking lot rather than a boardwalk. The lot is one of the first on the Outer Cape to fill on a summer morning, and the lighthouse view back up the bluff is a big part of the draw.
What to expect
Parking
Resident sticker $25/day/vehicle or $15/person on foot/bike (card only, NPS side is cashless); $60 CCNS season pass
Swimming
Water not monitored off-season
Season
Open year-round; entrance fee/gate collection daily late June-early Sept, weekends/holidays Memorial Day-late Sept
Entry fee
$25/day/vehicle or $15/person on foot/bike (NPS gate, card only); $60 CCNS season pass; free for Eastham residents with a town sticker in the reserved ~1/3 of the lot checked Jul 14, 2026
Lifeguard
NPS lifeguards on a designated stretch, late June through Labor Day weekend
Off duty · back late JuneDogs
Dogs on a 6-foot leash allowed away from the lifeguard-protected area and posted shorebird-nesting closures; not allowed on the lifeguard-protected stretch in summer (may pass through when uncongested)
Managed by
Cape Cod National Seashore
508-255-3421 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Resident sticker
Cost$25/day/vehicle or $15/person on foot/bike (card only, NPS side is cashless); $60 CCNS season passStickerEastham Ocean Beach resident sticker (free to taxpayers) reserves ~1/3 of the lot
NPS bluff-top lot (Ocean View Dr)
NPS bluff-top lot (Ocean View Dr)
Cost$25/day/vehicle or $15/person on foot/bike (card only, NPS side is cashless); $60 CCNS season pass
Access points along this beach
Bluff-top gravel path
steep gravel path down from the lot to the sand; not step-free
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
Changing room / restroom building at the lot
Showers
outdoor rinse-off showers at the lot
Changing rooms
changing room at the restroom building
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Show the full year
Average water temperature at Nauset Light 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 Nauset Light Beach in Eastham open today?
Nauset Light Beach is not monitored right now. MA DPH samples beach water Memorial Day to Labor Day and posts no advisories or all-clears off-season, so there is no swim status to report. Swimming off-season is at your own risk.
Dogs are allowed on a 6-foot leash, but only away from the lifeguard-protected section and any posted shorebird-nesting closures. Check National Seashore signage since closures shift seasonally.
Do I need cash for parking?
The NPS side of this lot is cashless, card only, for the $25/day or $15/person gate fee; the separate Eastham resident-sticker section is free but limited to about a third of the lot.
Are there restrooms at Nauset Light 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 Nauset Light Beach?
Water at Nauset Light 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 Nauset Light Beach?
Areas may close seasonally for nesting piping plovers/shorebirds; dogs may not pass through posted closures.
Can you swim at Nauset Light Beach?
There is no MA DPH swim status for Nauset Light Beach off-season: the state samples beach water Memorial Day to Labor Day. Swimming off-season is at your own risk; check conditions posted at the beach.
Is there an entry fee at Nauset Light Beach?
Yes, $25/day/vehicle or $15/person on foot/bike (NPS gate, card only); $60 CCNS season pass; free for Eastham residents with a town sticker in the reserved ~1/3 of the lot
Do you need a beach sticker to park at Nauset Light Beach?
Yes, parking here uses a resident sticker. $25/day/vehicle or $15/person on foot/bike (card only, NPS side is cashless); $60 CCNS season pass.