WELLFLEET BEACHES
Ocean Beaches
Wellfleet, beaches stretch for miles along the Atlantic Ocean coast and dot the picturesque shores of Cape Cod Bay. The Ocean-side beaches in Wellfleet feature towering dunes, golden sand and active surf.
It’s about 3 miles to the ocean from the cottage.
Wellfleet Beach Information
Amenities: Lifeguards, restrooms, shower facilities, food concessions (on-site or mobile), and other amenities available in season only, during normal beach hours.
Parking Fees: Parking fee/sticker requirements vary, depending on whether the beach is town-owned or managed by the Cape Cod National Seashore.
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National Seashore—daily parking fees/passes are required every day from late June through Labor Day, and on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day to late June.
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Daily vehicle fee, $20. Pedestrians and bicycles, $3. Motorcycles $10. National Seashore Season Pass, $60. Interagency Senior Pass, $10. Interagency Access Pass for permanently disabled persons, FREE.
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Contact the National Seashore at (508) 487-2100 or visit the Cape Cod National Seashore website for more info about purchasing the passes.
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Town Beaches—At most town-owned beaches, you’ll need a parking sticker to park your car in the lot from mid-June through Labor Day. No entrance fees are charged to those who walk or bike to town-owned Wellfleet beaches.
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Sticker prices are $55/three days, $90/one week, $170/two weeks, $300/season.
There is now a $5 daily fee for all person(s) who walk in or are dropped off by vehicles that do not display a valid Wellfleet Beach Parking Permit at Cahoon Hollow or White Crest Beach between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm during the summer season.
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The only exception is for shuttle busses originating from the Town owned parking lots at the ocean beaches, Cahoon Hollow and White Crest
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To qualify for purchase of a non-resident sticker, you’ll have to show proof of temporary residence in Wellfleet. A temporary proof of residence is in your cottage
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Stickers can be purchased in season at the Beach Sticker Booth at the Town Pier. Call the Town offices at (508) 349-9818 for more information.
The Beach Office Opens at 9am on Monday, June 12th
Hours: Daily from 9 to 4 through Labor Day
255 Commercial Street, Wellfleet, MA 02667
Important Note: Town of Wellfleet stickers are not valid for parking in National Seashore beach lots. If you choose to purchase a town beach sticker fill out a Proof of Stay form and bring to the Beach Office. Your sticker is good for all bay beaches and kettle ponds too. Parking is free after 5pm.
Bay Beaches
Chipman’s Cove is less than .25 miles from the cottage. Walk to the bottom of the street and cross Cove Road. Public access to the cove is at the end of Old Pier Road. Walk the bay to Indian Neck Beach or to town via Uncle Tim’s Bridge (low tide only). There are many attractive rest stops along the way so you can stop and enjoy the view. Spend some time at the Bench Book and record your thoughts.
Indian Neck beach is the closest beach on the bay and under a mile from the cottage.
Kettle Ponds
Kettle ponds were formed when glacier ice melted, resulting in huge holes that then filled up with fresh water. This happened more than 15,000 years ago, and the “kettles” are still there. The kettle ponds are a great way to end a beach day. The water is fresh with sandy bottoms.
One of the most popular kettle ponds with families is called Long Pond in Wellfleet. As far as kettle ponds go, it’s actually fairly easy to get to this pond, off Route 6, and it does have some parking to speak of. It also includes a small beach and a shade-covered picnic area.
Great Pond has ample parking and a boat launch for kayaks and paddle boarding. A great dock for kids to jump off of. Paddle over to the sluice way and into Higgins Pond
Town of Wellfleet
Wellfleet is uniquely characterized by its geography, culture and people. Wellfleet (pop. 2,750), the name of which is thought to have come from “Whale Fleet”, was incorporated on June 16, 1763. Until that time it was a part of Eastham referred to as Billingsgate. Today it is known as the “Art Gallery Town”, as well as the source of world-famous Wellfleet oysters.
Wellfleet Harbor is an actively changing panorama of fishing boats, yachts, trawlers, and, at low tide, flats of shellfish.
Wellfleet boasts some of the best nature trails in the Cape Cod National Seashore. Don’t miss the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp and Great Island trails among others. The Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary offers nature trips, cruises, walks, workshops and classes for adults and children.
Biking enthusiasts and walkers will love the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Maintained by the state’s Dept. of Conservation and Recreation, the Cape Cod Rail Trail, a 22-mile former railroad, runs from Dennis to Wellfleet. For the golf enthusiasts, Wellfleet is home to the Chequessett Yacht & Country Club which features a 9-hole course with two sets of tees for 18 holes of play.
Those who like history and the arts will find themselves instantly at home in Wellfleet. For history buffs, the Wellfleet Historical Society operates a museum on Main Street and offers summer walking tours, lectures and other special events throughout the year.
Known as the “art gallery town,” Wellfleet’s main and side streets are bursting with art galleries featuring the work of local artists. If you are into entertainment, check out WHAT—the Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre—which features live plays and performances, screenings and MET Opera. The Wellfleet Preservation Hall is the town’s newly-renovated cultural center—host to great events year-round.
Live bands do not disappoint at The Beachcomber on Cahoon Hollow Beach. And during the summer, the town sponsors free concerts and plays at Baker’s Field and square dancing on the town pier.
Catch a movie at Wellfleet Cinema or spend the evening at one of America’s last drive-ins, the Wellfleet Drive-In Theatre.
During the day on the weekends and many holidays, the Wellfleet Flea Market is held on the grounds of the drive-in.
But the real draw is seafood—oysters in particular. Wellfleet oysters are world-famous and the focus of the Wellfleet OysterFest, held each year in October. Thousands crowd the town’s Main Street for a weekend of fun and food featuring and arts & crafts fair, entertainment, vendors and the annual shucking contest. And if you can’t make it to the OysterFest, you can always sample these briny sensations at one of the town’s many fine eateries.
