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Coast Guard
Beautiful Coast Guard Beach in Eastham is a spit attached to
eroding glacial cliffs. A historic old Coast Guard Station
stands watch over the top of the large dune overlooking the
beach. Hiking down the beach spit heading south you can see
Nauset Marsh to your right, which is habitat for fish,
shellfish, shore birds, wading birds, and waterfowl. At the end
of the spit is Nauset Inlet, which leads to Town Cove in
Orleans. This is a great place to bird watch, view harbor seals,
or fish for striped bass or bluefish from the shore. Coast Guard
Beach is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore.
Coast Guard Beach is one of the best surfing beaches on the
Cape, due in part to the sand bars that form off the shoreline
from the current that draws water into Nauset Inlet. It is also
a prime swimming beach. Coast Guard Beach is a favorite for
people of all ages. It is often recognized as one of the top 10
on various lists of America’s best beaches, comparable to the
best of Hawaii and Florida.
Seasonal public restrooms and showers are available at the
beach, and a ramp from the parking lot makes it handicapped
accessible. The beach has lifeguards. From mid-June to Labor
Day, the parking lot at this location is closed, and access is
provided by shuttle bus from the Little Creek parking area
(across from the Doane Area). Although the parking lot at Coast
Guard Beach is open the remainder of the year, parking is
limited.
How to get there: One and one-half miles East on Nauset and
Doane Roads (on road to beach from Salt Pond Visitor Center off
Route 6). Look for brown and white signs.
Beach Guide Sponsored by the Cape Cod Beach Chair Company |
