Nauset Beach is an ocean beach in Orleans, Massachusetts.
What to expect
Parking
Resident sticker $35/day + $1.50 service fee (non-resident); $25 resident season sticker; also valid at Skaket Beach same day
Swimming
Water not monitored off-season
Hours
Beach open dawn to dusk; parking-gate enforcement 7:30am-4:30pm in season, free after 4:30pm
Season
Open year-round; paid-parking enforcement 7:30am-4:30pm, weekends-only late May-mid June then daily mid-June-Labor Day; free after 4:30pm and off-season
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on the main swimming beach April 1 through October 15 for nesting-bird protection; allowed leashed (max 30 ft) on the oversand-vehicle trail south of Trail #1 toward Chatham except Friday before Memorial Day through Labor…
Oversand Driving
Allowed permit required, subject to shorebird closures
Managed by
Orleans Parks & Beaches Department
(508) 240-3780 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Resident sticker
Cost$35/day + $1.50 service fee (non-resident); $25 resident season sticker; also valid at Skaket Beach same dayStickerOrleans resident sticker, or daily/weekly/non-resident season pass
Nauset Beach main lot (Beach Rd)
Nauset Beach main lot (Beach Rd)
Cost$35/day + $1.50 service fee (non-resident); $25 resident season sticker; also valid at Skaket Beach same daySpaces~400
Access points along this beach
Nauset Beach main entrance (Administration Building)
Oversand-vehicle trail gate (Trail #1)
permit corridor south toward Chatham Inlet
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
Nauset Beach Administration Building / bathhouse area
Worth knowing
- Nauset Beach shares one parking-pass system with Skaket Beach on the bay side - a hangtag bought at either gate is valid at both the same day.
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Show the full year
Average water temperature at Nauset 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 Beach in Orleans open today?
Nauset 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.
Is there parking at Nauset Beach, and what does it cost?
Resident sticker ($35/day + $1.50 service fee (non-resident); $25 resident season sticker; also valid at Skaket Beach same day). Nauset Beach main lot (Beach Rd)
Are there restrooms at Nauset 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 Beach?
Water at Nauset 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 Beach?
Erosion-prone barrier beach; rip currents and surf conditions possible - swim near lifeguards. Dogs banned on the main beach April 1-October 15; leash max 30 ft on the OSV trail where allowed.
Can you swim at Nauset Beach?
There is no MA DPH swim status for Nauset 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.
Are dogs allowed at Nauset Beach?
Dogs prohibited on the main swimming beach April 1 through October 15 for nesting-bird protection; allowed leashed (max 30 ft) on the oversand-vehicle trail south of Trail #1 toward Chatham except Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, when they are barred there too; off-leash allowed…
Is there an entry fee at Nauset Beach?
No, entry is free.
Do you need a beach sticker to park at Nauset Beach?
Yes, parking here uses a resident sticker. $35/day + $1.50 service fee (non-resident); $25 resident season sticker; also valid at Skaket Beach same day.