Provincetown Beaches
Spectacular beaches surround Provincetown and the Outer Cape. From the gayest beach on the planet to the most secluded sand dune hide-a-way, there's something for everyone.
The Beaches
Herring Cove
This beach has a women's section which is just to the left of the parking lot and is super easy to get to, including parking, food stand, and showering area. It is a short drive or bike ride from town and right near the Provincetown, MA bike path, which takes you right through the sand dunes, beech forest, and out to race point beach... Herring Cove beach is the best place to watch the sunset and moon rise right after.
Race Point
This beach is stunning and seems to go on forever and ever... Although still popular, especially with fishers, it is a little less crowded then the other beaches... you can get to it by driving and also by hiking from the dunes starting out on route 6A. It is a nature lover's paradise all around... definitely one of the most pristine beaches in the country, with little seaweed and even the occasional seal sighting.
Long Point Beach
This beach is one that you either have to take a small boat out or walk over the Provincetown jedi/breakwater in the west end about one mile. It is never very crowded and offers a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of Ptown. During low tide, you can walk straight across the harbor and see endless numbers of giant crabs, horse shoe crabs, hermit crabs, snails, clams, starfish, sand dollars... it is heaven to any nature lover. Long point beach is also the very tip of cape cod, truly... and walking out to the light house puts you on the very edge of America. It is a very nice way to get away from it all without having to go very far.
Head of the Meadow
This beach is further out of town... you can get to it by driving a bit and or biking over a bike path (the bike path is rather short though, so you mostly bike on quiet roads). It is another stunningly beautiful beach that is less crowded and has sand cliffs which are truly stunning. When you stare out at the ocean on this beach, you are staring across at Europe or Africa, because there is nothing but water in between. The cliffs are well worth a visit, and, if you have ever wanted to sun bath on a secluded beach, the undeveloped, undisturbed beaches go on for miles and miles.
Getting to the Beach
Shuttle
The Provincetown Shuttle operates from late May to early October and provides regular service to Herring Cove Beach starting at 9am daily. The last shuttle leaves the beach one-half hour after sunset daily. For Map and Fares click here.
Park Pass
Beach entrance fees are collected during the high season when lifeguards are on duty.
Bike
Bike rentals for various time periods are available in Provincetown. There are several purveyors. We love Ptown Bikes; they offer a variety bikes to suit your needs.
Uber/Lyft
You know what to do.