Skaket Beach faces west across Cape Cod Bay from the corner of Skaket Beach Road and West Road, which gives it warmer, calmer water than the ocean side and some of the best sunsets in town. At low tide the bay pulls back more than a mile, leaving flats to walk and poke around in; at high tide the water comes right up for swimming and floating.
What to expect
Parking
Resident sticker $32.50/day hangtag; $165/week; $420/season (non-resident, 2026); $25 resident/taxpayer season sticker
Swimming
Allowed water tested by the state
Hours
Enforcement roughly 7:30am-4:30pm (weekends May 24-Jun 13, then daily mid-June through Labor Day); parking free after 4:30pm; beach itself closed to the public 10pm-7am
Season
Beach closed to the public 10:00pm-7:00am (town-wide rule, Skacket is one of the beaches with a specific posted hour range); parking-sticker enforcement runs roughly Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day
Accessibility
Flat, ramp-accessible lot leads directly onto the sand with no boardwalk required; a beach wheelchair is available in season on a first-come, first-served basis, shared with Nauset Beach
Lifeguard
Seasonal lifeguards on duty during the enforcement period
Dogs
Prohibited within 300 feet of the beach at all times; banned entirely Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day; permitted leashed (max 30 ft) off-season outside the 300-ft zone; ADA service animals exempt from the ban but must remain…
Allowed now · ban starts Memorial DayKayak/Paddleboard
Allowed year-round, best at high tide
Tide-Pooling/Flat-Walking
Allowed low tide
Managed by
Town of Orleans DPW & Natural Resources / Sticker Office
508-240-3790 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Resident sticker
Cost$32.50/day hangtag; $165/week; $420/season (non-resident, 2026); $25 resident/taxpayer season stickerStickerOrleans resident sticker (shared system with Nauset Beach)
Skaket Beach Road lot
Skaket Beach Road lot
Cost$32.50/day hangtag; $165/week; $420/season (non-resident, 2026); $25 resident/taxpayer season sticker
Access points along this beach
Main lot beach entrance
flat, ramp-accessible path from the parking lot directly onto the sand, no boardwalk
Wildflower Lane access (70 Willie Atwood Rd)
Separate leashed-dog access area adjacent to Skaket; dogs on a leash no longer than 30 ft allowed outside 9am-5pm, June 15-Labor Day, and off-leash once 300 ft seaward of the high-tide line
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
Restroom building at the main beach lot
Showers
outdoor rinse-off stations at the lot · seasonal
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Show the full year
Average water temperature at Skaket Beach by month, in °F| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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| 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 Skaket Beach 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.
Not to Skaket Beach itself between the Friday before Memorial Day and Labor Day. At 70 Willie Atwood / Wildflower Lane, from June 15 through Labor Day, dogs are barred 9am to 5pm, are never allowed within 300 feet of Skaket Public Beach, and must be on a leash no longer than 30 feet unless at least 300 feet seaward of the high-tide line.
Is there parking at Skaket Beach, and what does it cost?
Resident sticker ($32.50/day hangtag; $165/week; $420/season (non-resident, 2026); $25 resident/taxpayer season sticker). Skaket Beach Road lot
Are there restrooms at Skaket 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 Skaket Beach?
Water at Skaket 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 Skaket Beach?
Tide comes in fast across the flats (roughly 10-12 ft tidal range, full cycle about 6h12m); keep landmarks visible when walking out at low tide. No alcohol, no littering, no open fires; no kites/drones/frisbees except in a lifeguard-designated area; no bicycles Memorial Day-Labor Day;…
Can you swim at Skaket Beach?
Yes. Skaket Beach has no swimming advisory in the latest MA DPH posting (updated 2026-09-13). Check again the morning you go.
Is there an entry fee at Skaket Beach?
No, entry is free.
Do you need a beach sticker to park at Skaket Beach?
Yes, parking here uses a resident sticker. $32.50/day hangtag; $165/week; $420/season (non-resident, 2026); $25 resident/taxpayer season sticker.