A mile of white sand backed by low dunes, salt marsh, and pitch pine woodland at the mouth of Waquoit Bay, part of the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. It is unguarded and relatively undeveloped compared with Cape Cod's busier town beaches, with warm, calm water off Nantucket Sound.
What to expect
Parking
Paid lot $14 daily for Massachusetts residents, $40 for non-residents, June 13 to September 7
Free until June 13Swimming
Allowed water tested by the state
Hours
Sunrise to sunset year-round
Season
Open year-round, sunrise to sunset; staffed fee season runs Father's Day weekend through Labor Day
Accessibility
Unconfirmed whether a beach wheelchair or Mobi-Mat is available; the lot is unpaved dirt near the sand
Lifeguard
Unguarded beachfront; no lifeguard service
Dogs
Not allowed in the designated swimming area from May 1 through September 15 unless posted otherwise. Outside that window and that area a dog on DCR land must be caged, bridled, or restrained on a leash or tether no longer than ten feet,…
Banned now · back September 15Fishing
Allowed year-round
Birdwatching
Allowed year-round
Managed by
Massachusetts DCR, co-managed with Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
508-457-0495 x100 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Paid lot
Cost$14 daily for Massachusetts residents, $40 for non-residents, June 13 to September 7StickerDCR daily parking pass, sold on the MA DCR Yodel Portal
DCR main lot, Great Oak Road
Details unconfirmed
DCR main lot, Great Oak Road
Cost$14 daily for Massachusetts residents, $40 for non-residents, June 13 to September 7
Mashpee Town Beach lot, in-park
CostMashpee recreation (beach) sticker, $30, valid June 2026 to September 7, 2026
a municipal lot inside the state park, run by the town in summer
Access points along this beach
Great Oak Road DCR entrance
Mashpee Town Beach entrance
separate resident-sticker lot within the park boundary
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Show the full year
Average water temperature at South Cape Beach State Park by month, in °F| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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| 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 Cape Beach State Park in Mashpee 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.
Is there a lifeguard at South Cape Beach?
No. The beachfront is unguarded.
Why are there two parking fees here?
Two operators. The DCR lot on Great Oak Road charges $14 a day for Massachusetts residents and $40 for non-residents from June 13 to September 7. The in-park town lot runs on a Mashpee recreation sticker, $30 for the 2026 season.
What's the water temperature at South Cape Beach State Park?
Water at South Cape Beach State Park 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 Cape Beach State Park?
No lifeguard is posted at any time; swim at your own risk. Ticks are common on reserve trails inland of the beach.
Can you swim at South Cape Beach State Park?
Yes. South Cape Beach State Park has no swimming advisory in the latest MA DPH posting (updated 2026-09-13). Check again the morning you go.
Are dogs allowed at South Cape Beach State Park?
Not allowed in the designated swimming area from May 1 through September 15 unless posted otherwise. Outside that window and that area a dog on DCR land must be caged, bridled, or restrained on a leash or tether no longer than ten feet, never unattended or at large, and its waste carried out.…