Chatham Light Beach

Chatham Light Beach is a beautiful, large beach close to the center of this picturesque town. It is located across the street from a small Coast Guard Station and the Chatham Light lighthouse. This area was not much of a beach until about 10 years ago, when the Great Barrier Beach broke due to pounding storm swells and hurricanes. The Chatham Break, as it is called, is a growing ocean channel between Nauset Beach and Monomoy Island. This new channel has shifted a significant amount of sand from the north to the south and created this magnificent beach. Nauset Beach protects it from heavy swells, but you can watch the waves crest about 200 yards away at the break. Beach grass, small dunes, and million-dollar homes surround the vast sand beach.

Hang a right at the bottom of the stairs leading to the beach and continue around the point for about a half-mile. Stay along the high-tide line near the water (a legal passage across the privately owned beaches). As you reach the end you often see a colony of dozens, or even hundreds, of seals basking in the sun on the beach or swimming close to shore. It's very cool! Be careful not to disturb them. For this sort of a journey we recommend our Great Island Backpack Beach Chair...

Facilities are limited, as the area was not originally developed as a beach. A small parking lot equipped with telescopes for sightseers offers limited parking. The beach is a quick walk, bike, or shuttle ride from Main Street.

How to get there: Take Main Street East from the town center until it ends; go right onto Shore Road

Beach Guide Sponsored by the Cape Cod Beach Chair Company

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