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Sound SideSticker / Day FeeBest in July
Loop Beach
Cotuit, Barnstable, Massachusetts · Nantucket Sound (Cotuit Bay)
4.5(58 reviews)
The Cotuit village beach — calm, friendly, and walkable from town
A charming Nantucket Sound beach in the village of Cotuit with calm, roped-off swimming areas and full facilities including a bathhouse. Views of Sampson's Island. Small-town beach vibes at their best — the kind of place where everyone knows each other. Named for the one-way loop road that leads to it.
Loop Beach is the heart of summer in Cotuit village — a compact, perfectly sheltered Nantucket Sound beach reached by a one-way loop road that gives the place its name. Sampson's Island sits across the channel and breaks the chop down to nothing, so the roped swim area is glassy on most days and the water warms quickly. There's a small bathhouse with restrooms and showers, a single lifeguard stand, and a steady rotation of Cotuit families who have been coming here for generations. The parking lot is tiny: residents and rental-sticker holders only on most days, with a daily-fee option ($15 weekdays / $20 weekends) on a first-come basis. After the beach, Cotuit Fresh Market is a five-minute walk for sandwiches and the Kettle-Ho is the village's tavern of choice for an evening drink.
Photo spot
Sampson's Island across the channel from the swim area at sunset
Arrive
Before 10am on weekendsCrowds
ModerateDogs
SeasonalLifeguards
On dutySunsets
Great spotBest for
FamiliesSwimming
The beach
Lay of the land
- Orientation
- South-facing
- Length
- ~0.15 mi
- Backshore
- Dune / flat
- Sand
- Soft sand with some shell fragments near waterline
- Shade
- Minimal — bathhouse porch offers some shade
Wildlife
Birds you may see: common tern, osprey, great egret, piping plover
Eelgrass beds
Things to know
- Piping plover closures typically run April–June — dunes may be roped off in those months.
- Jellyfish more likely in August.
Plan your visit
Parking & fees
$15
daily fee
$45
resident sticker / season
$375
non-resident / season
- Lot size
- Small
- Enforcement
- 9am–3:45pm year-round
Small lot, resident sticker required; daily fee available (weekdays $15, weekends $20)
Getting there
- From Sagamore Bridge
- 30 min
- Cell signal
- good
Accessibility
- Beach wheelchair
- Available
- Mobi Mat
- No
- Accessible restroom
- Yes
- Accessible parking
- 2 spaces
- Path from parking
- short walk
Dogs
No dogs May 15 – Sept 15. Allowed on leash Sept 16 – May 14.
Pairs well with
Rules & activities
What’s allowed
UmbrellasTents / canopies · small onlyAlcoholGrillsFiresDronesSmoking
Activities
Designated SUP/kayak launch
Safety & stewardship
Lifeguards on duty· Late June – Labor Day Partial plover closure (seasonal)
Photo by Karl Hattman via Google Places
Today
Water73°F
Next low3:51 AM(0.3 ft)
Sunrise5:32 AM
Sunset8:04 PM
Conditions
WavesCalm water
Water68–72°F (July–Aug)
TidesModerate
SharksLow risk
JellyfishLow — protected waters near Cotuit Bay
Length~0.15 mi
Facilities
LifeguardsRestroomsShowersChanging roomsAccessibleBike rack
Late June – Labor Day, 9am–5pm
Cotuit Fresh Market and Kettle-Ho restaurant within ~0.5mi on Main St
Loop Beach — good to know
How much does parking cost at Loop Beach?
Loop Beach charges roughly $15 per day for non-resident parking in summer; residents with a town sticker pay less or park free. Lots fill early on weekends, so arrive before about 10am.
Are dogs allowed at Loop Beach?
Dogs are not permitted at Loop Beach during the summer season — No dogs May 15 – Sept 15. Allowed on leash Sept 16 – May 14.
Does Loop Beach have lifeguards?
Yes — Loop Beach is staffed by lifeguards during the summer season (Late June – Labor Day).
Are there restrooms at Loop Beach?
Loop Beach has public restrooms and showers available in season.
What is the water like at Loop Beach?
Loop Beach is a Nantucket Sound beach on Nantucket Sound (Cotuit Bay). Expect calm, gentle water that's good for young kids and easy swimming. Average summer water temperature is around 68–72°F (July–Aug).
What is Loop Beach best for?
Loop Beach is especially good for families and swimming.
When is the best time to visit Loop Beach?
Before 10am on weekends; walkable from many Cotuit homes.
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Loop Beach also appears on: Best for families · Best for calm water · Best for closest to the bridge · Best for accessible