Sound Side
Dowses Beach
Osterville, Barnstable, MA
Plover closureAccessible
(276)
FamiliesFishingKayakingcalm water
Calm waterLifeguardsSunsets
1 / 5
Heads up
- Piping plover nesting closure active this month — sections of the beach may be roped off.
Sound SideFree & OpenBest in July
Kalmus Park Beach
Hyannis, Barnstable, Massachusetts · Nantucket Sound
4.5(41 reviews)
The windsurf and kite capital of the Cape
The windsurfing capital of Cape Cod. Consistent onshore breezes off Nantucket Sound make this the go-to for kiteboarding and windsurfing. The calm inner harbor side is perfect for families.
Kalmus Park Beach occupies the entire south-facing point of Hyannisport, with Nantucket Sound on one side and Lewis Bay on the other — a geography that makes it the most reliably breezy beach on Cape Cod. From early afternoon through evening the prevailing southwesterly fills in across the open Sound, and Kalmus becomes the unofficial windsurf and kite-foil headquarters of the region. The east side, facing Lewis Bay and Hyannis Harbor, is dead calm and shallow for hundreds of yards out — perfect for small kids and beginner SUP. There's a large public lot with a daily fee ($20), a full bathhouse, a snack bar, and lifeguards in the swim zone. Watch the Hy-Line and Steamship Authority ferries glide in and out of Hyannis Harbor while you eat your sandwich.
Photo spot
Kites in the air over Nantucket Sound with the ferry passing in the background
Arrive
Late morning when the breeze fills in for sailorsCrowds
ModerateDogs
SeasonalLifeguards
On dutySunsets
Great spotBest for
WindsurfingFamiliesKayaking
The beach
Lay of the land
- Orientation
- South-facing
- Length
- ~0.4 mi
- Backshore
- Dune / flat
- Sand
- Fine to medium golden sand
- Shade
- Bathhouse porch only
Wildlife
Birds you may see: common tern, herring gull, double-crested cormorant, osprey
Things to know
- Jellyfish more likely in August.
Plan your visit
Parking & fees
$20
daily fee
$45
resident sticker / season
$375
non-resident / season
- Lot size
- Large
- Enforcement
- 7am–3:45pm in season; daily-fee booth at entrance.
Public parking lot, fills early in summer
Getting there
- From Sagamore Bridge
- 32 min
- Transit
- CCRTA bus stop within ¼ mi
- Cell signal
- good
Accessibility
- Beach wheelchair
- Available
- Mobi Mat
- Yes
- Accessible restroom
- Yes
- Accessible parking
- 4 spaces
- Path from parking
- level
Dogs
No dogs May 15 – Sept 15. Allowed on leash off-season.
Pairs well with
Rules & activities
What’s allowed
UmbrellasTents / canopies · small onlyAlcoholGrillsFiresDronesSmoking
Activities
Designated SUP/kayak launchKiteboardingWindsurfing
Safety & stewardship
Lifeguards on duty· Late June – Labor Day Partial plover closure (seasonal)
Photo by Jordan Cincotta via Google Places
Today
Water64°F
Sunrise5:07 AM
Sunset8:17 PM
Conditions
WavesModerate waves
Water68–72°F (July–Aug)
TidesLow variance
SharksLow risk
Jellyfishlow
Length~0.4 mi
Facilities
LifeguardsRestroomsShowersChanging roomsAccessibleBike rack
Late June – Labor Day, 9am–5pm
Snack bar on-site; downtown Hyannis 1mi north
