South Beach is an ocean beach in Edgartown, Massachusetts.
What to expect
Parking
Left Fork / Katama Road main lot free
Swimming
Water not monitored by DPH
Accessibility
Partially accessible; beach wheelchairs available at paths 5 and 7 near the main lot
Dogs
No dogs are allowed at South Beach at any time. The Park Department posts this as a year-round rule, with no off-season window.
Managed by
Town of Edgartown Parks & Recreation Department
508-627-6145 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Left Fork / Katama Road main lot
CostfreeSpaceslimited, erosion has reduced capacity
Historic main lot; less usable beach area due to erosion
Right Fork / Herring Creek Road lots
CostfreeSpaceslarger than Left Fork
Three dirt lots along Herring Creek Road plus a lot at the Atlantic Drive turn; more usable beach area
Access points along this beach
Right Fork (Herring Creek Road)
Middle stretch (folded seed: south-beach-state-park-middle)
named mid-point access along Atlantic Drive; distinct sourcing not found beyond the fold rationale
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
Portable toilets, Herring Creek Road (Right Fork) end
Changing Area
At Herring Creek Road end
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Show the full year
Average water temperature at South Beach by month, in °F| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|
| Water °F | 39° | 37° | 41° | 48° | 56° | 66° | 73° | 74° | 70° | 62° | 54° | 44° |
|---|
Monthly averages from NOAA, Woods Hole (2022 to 2024). Today's reading is in the conditions above.
Common questions
Is South Beach in Edgartown open today?
open to the public; water quality here is not monitored by MA DPH (updated 2026-09-13). MA DPH is the authority. Check the status the morning you go.
Are dogs allowed at South Beach?
No, dogs are banned at South Beach at all times, unlike some other Edgartown beaches.
Where's the best parking?
The Right Fork (Herring Creek Road) end generally has more parking and more usable beach because of erosion at the Left Fork.
Is South Beach good for young kids?
Not especially on the ocean side; the surf and undertow are strong. Families with young kids often prefer the calmer Katama Bay side.
Are there restrooms at South 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 South Beach?
Water at South Beach averages about 37°F in February and 74°F in August, based on NOAA readings at Woods Hole from 2022 to 2024. For today's temperature, see the conditions above.
What rules should I know at South Beach?
Stay on the fenced paths and off the dunes. Ticks and poison ivy are present in the dune vegetation. Erosion has cut the usable beach and the parking at the left fork on Katama Road; the right fork on Herring Creek Road carries more of both. No alcohol. No open fires. No amplified music. No tents.…
Can you swim at South Beach?
South Beach is town-owned and its water is not monitored by MA DPH, so there is no official swim status. Check conditions posted at the beach.