Rock Harbor is the town's harbour on Cape Cod Bay at the Orleans-Eastham line. The town maintains 43 slips for recreational vessels and 12 for commercial vessels here.
What to expect
Parking
Free lot Free, no sticker required, by 1959 deed restriction
Hours
Beach/park area closed to the public 1/2 hr after sunset - 1/2 hr before sunrise (town-wide rule); no beach-specific gate
Season
General town rule: closed to the public 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise; the charter fleet and working harbor operate through the day, seasonally busiest May-October
In effect nowLifeguard
No lifeguard on duty
Dogs
Prohibited from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day; allowed off-season
Allowed now · ban starts Memorial DayFishing (Charter)
Allowed May-October
Kayak/Paddleboard
Allowed tide-dependent (harbor navigable roughly 2.5 hrs before to 2.5 hrs after high tide)
Tide-Pooling/Flat-Walking
Allowed low tide
Birdwatching
Allowed year-round
Managed by
Town of Orleans Harbormaster/Shellfish Department (harbor & dockage); DPW & Natural Resources (beach & parking)
508-240-3755 (Harbormaster); 508-240-3790 (DPW & Natural Resources) · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Free lot
CostFree, no sticker required, by 1959 deed restriction
Rock Harbor lot (Rock Harbor Road)
Details unconfirmed
Rock Harbor lot (Rock Harbor Road)
CostFree, no sticker required, by 1959 deed restrictionSpaces~94
Access points along this beach
Rock Harbor boat ramp
Town ramp used by the charter fleet, adjoins the small public beach at the harbor mouth
Rock Harbor docks
recreational and commercial slips; separate mooring/dockage waitlist
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
Portable toilet near the harbor lot
Dock
town docks/slips, roughly 43 recreational and 12 commercial
Fuel
fuel dock at the harbor; specific hours not confirmed
Benches
bench area near the water
Not here
No drinking water
no fountain reported at the harbor lot
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Show the full year
Average water temperature at Rock Harbor 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 Rock Harbor in Orleans 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 parking at Rock Harbor, and what does it cost?
Free lot (Free, no sticker required, by 1959 deed restriction). Rock Harbor lot (Rock Harbor Road)
Are there restrooms at Rock Harbor?
Public restrooms are listed near the beach. Seasonal hours are common, so they may be closed off-season.
What's the water temperature at Rock Harbor?
Water at Rock Harbor 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 Rock Harbor?
Tidal range exceeds 10 feet in Cape Cod Bay; low tide exposes tidal flats extending hundreds of yards, nearly a mile at dead low - check tide times before walking out. No alcohol, no littering, no open fires; no dogs Friday before Memorial Day-Labor Day; no overnight camping/tents/trailers; 15 mph…
Can you swim at Rock Harbor?
No. Rock Harbor's own access rules say swimming is not permitted here.
Are dogs allowed at Rock Harbor?
Prohibited from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day; allowed off-season
Is there an entry fee at Rock Harbor?
No, entry is free.
Do you need a beach sticker to park at Rock Harbor?
A beach sticker applies to parking here. Free, no sticker required, by 1959 deed restriction.