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, mid-June to Labor Day
Free until mid-JuneSwimming
Water not monitored off-season
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,…
Allowed now · ban starts May 1Fishing
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, mid-June to Labor DayStickerDCR 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, mid-June to Labor Day
Mashpee Town Beach lot, in-park
CostMashpee recreation (beach) sticker, $30, valid June 2026 to Labor Day
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?
South Cape Beach State Park 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.
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.
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?
There is no MA DPH swim status for South Cape Beach State Park 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.
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.…