A Day At The Beach In Chatham
Harding Beach
This is a wonderful beach for the game of your choice – beach bocce (a local specialty), volleyball, Frisbee, Wiffleball, or just build a sand castle with the kids. Anywhere outside the marked swimming areas is the place to launch your sailboat or kayak. (Monomoy Island makes a great destination from this beach.) Large parking. Attendant on duty. Some small waves. Nice sand. Cute beach.
With plenty of room for all sorts of beach activities, Harding Beach, is perfect for large groups and families looking to challenge each other in a variety of sports. The bright sand and spectacular view make for a pleasant day of tanning, boating or book reading. There’s also a pleasant trail behind the beach, after the second parking lot, which leads to the Stage Harbor Lighthouse.
Ridgevale Beach
Big beach. Large parking. Attendant on duty. Lots of shells. Nearby cool little creek empties to ocean. Lots of families. Small waves. Nice view. Bike rack.
Along the southern shores of Chatham, Ridgevale Beach is a large, popular beach that offers both ocean swimming and, for the younger folks, calm creeks to splash around in. There’s also plenty of room to play favorite sand games, and seashells for collectors or for souvenirs.
Schoolhouse Pond
Small. Roped off swim area. Shady. Little kids. Small parking. No attendent. Calm. Nice. No flotation devices. Popular.
Schoolhouse Pond is a great place to take the whole family for a day, especially parents who want to get the kids off their hands for a bit. Children will have lots of fun frolicking in the cool water, while mom and dad enjoy the shady beach. And parents can feel good about taking the time off because there is a lifeguard on duty and a restricted swimming area.
Nauset Beach
Beautiful sunrises, excellent bass and blues fishing, surfing, sunbathing, swimming in cool ocean waters. Despite its size, the massive parking lot occasionally fills up when the sun is strong. Arrive early or in the late afternoon if you want to claim a spot. The beach is open to off-road vehicles with a special permit. Attendant on duty. Really long beach. Very popular. Great waves. All ages. Nice sand. A bit of a walk from parking over dune. Slightly steep down to beach. Bike rack.
Popular Nauset Beach, not to be confused with Nauset Light Beach of the National Seashore, is a lengthy 10-mile expanse starting in Orleans stretching all the way to Chatham. Surfing is permitted in the non- protected beach areas from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is also popular with swimmers and boogie boarders. The beach is also available for off-road vehicles with the proper permit.
Jacknife Beach (Pleasant Bay)
Pleasant Bay is another great beach for families. It is a sheltered cove that boasts shallow, warm and calm waters.
There are great views of the tide in the winding cove across Pleasant Bay. There are also great opportunities for kayaking nearby. A great beach to take the kids to when the tide goes out and you can search for shells and crabs.