A National Park Service beach reached by boardwalk and a steep stairway down a high bluff, named for Guglielmo Marconi's 1903 transatlantic wireless station on the cliff above. One of only six beaches directly managed by Cape Cod National Seashore rather than the Town of Wellfleet.
What to expect
Swimming
Water not monitored off-season
Hours
The fee booth and lifeguards operate late June through Labor Day, roughly 9am-5pm.
From late JuneSeason
Open access year-round; entrance fee collected and lifeguards on duty late June through Labor Day, roughly 9am-5pm.
Entry fee
NPS entrance fee (not the Wellfleet town beach sticker): $25/vehicle/day, $20/motorcycle, $15/person on foot or bike; $60 Cape Cod National Seashore annual pass; America the Beautiful interagency annual pass ($80) also accepted. Sold only… checked Aug 4, 2026
Accessibility
Not on the NPS beach-wheelchair/Mobi-Mat list (that program covers Coast Guard, Race Point and Herring Cove beaches only). Access to the sand is via boardwalk, then a steep stairway down the bluff.
Lifeguard
NPS lifeguards on duty late June through Labor Day.
Off duty · back late JuneDogs
Leashed dogs (max 6 ft) allowed year-round on Marconi Beach to the south of the stairs; passing leashed through the guarded area to reach that section is permitted during the lifeguarded season. Seasonal shorebird-nesting closures…
Managed by
Cape Cod National Seashore (Salt Pond Visitor Center)
508-255-3421 · WebsiteGetting in
Access points along this beach
Marconi Site Road parking lot
Main and only public vehicle entrance.
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
NPS bathhouse at the parking lot
Changing Rooms
Part of the bathhouse at the lot.
Worth knowing
- Marconi is one of only six beaches NPS itself lists as directly National-Park-Service-managed at Cape Cod National Seashore (the others are Coast Guard, Nauset Light, Head of the Meadow, Race Point, and Herring Cove); White Crest, Cahoon Hollow, Newcomb Hollow, and Maguires Landing/LeCount Hollow are not on that list even though they sit inside the Seashore boundary.
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Show the full year
Average water temperature at Marconi 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 Marconi Beach in Wellfleet open today?
Marconi 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.
Does my Wellfleet town beach sticker work at Marconi?
No. Marconi is federal land inside Cape Cod National Seashore and uses its own NPS entrance fee or annual pass, not the Town of Wellfleet's beach-sticker system.
Are there restrooms at Marconi 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 Marconi Beach?
Water at Marconi 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 Marconi Beach?
Strong rip currents, cold water, and periodic great white shark activity (June-October); swim near a lifeguard in season and never alone.
Can you swim at Marconi Beach?
There is no MA DPH swim status for Marconi 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 Marconi Beach?
Leashed dogs (max 6 ft) allowed year-round on Marconi Beach to the south of the stairs; passing leashed through the guarded area to reach that section is permitted during the lifeguarded season. Seasonal shorebird-nesting closures (roughly Apr 1-Oct 15) can add temporary posted restrictions near…
Is there an entry fee at Marconi Beach?
Yes, NPS entrance fee (not the Wellfleet town beach sticker): $25/vehicle/day, $20/motorcycle, $15/person on foot or bike; $60 Cape Cod National Seashore annual pass; America the Beautiful interagency annual pass ($80) also accepted. Sold only at the beach entrance booth, credit/debit only, collected…