Ocean / Surf
Quidnet Beach
Nantucket, MA
Plover closureHidden gemSurf · intermediate
(5)
SeclusionSceneryWalkingBirding
Surf wavesUncrowdedDog-friendly
Best Dog-Friendly Beaches on Cape Cod
Plenty of Cape beaches welcome dogs — the catch is the fine print. Summer rules vary town by town: some beaches allow dogs only before 9am and after 5pm, some require leashes year-round, and the National Seashore has its own seasonal restrictions. Every beach below allows dogs; check each page for its exact policy.
36 of 126 Cape Cod beaches make this list, ranked by visitor rating.
Ocean / Surf
Surfside Beach
Nantucket, MA
AccessibleSurf · intermediate
(5)
SurfingBodyboardingbikingFamilies
Surf wavesDog-friendlyLifeguardsSunsets
Dunes
Great Point Beach
Nantucket, MA
Plover closureHidden gemSeal viewing
(31)
FishingSeclusionNatureoff-road+1
UncrowdedDog-friendly
Bay / Calm
Paine's Creek Beach
Brewster, MA
(63)
Familiessunsetcreek exploring
Calm waterDog-friendlyLifeguardsSunsets
Sound Side
Bend-in-the-Road Beach
Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, MA
(5)
FamiliesSwimmingbiking
Calm waterDog-friendlyLifeguards
Ocean / Surf
Cisco Beach
Nantucket, MA
Plover closureSurf · intermediate
(44)
Surfingyoung crowdBodyboarding
Surf wavesDog-friendlyLifeguardsSunsets
Sound Side
Lake Tashmoo Town Beach
Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard, MA
Hidden gem
(29)
FamiliesSwimmingNatureBirding
Calm waterDog-friendlyLifeguards
Ocean / Surf
Madaket Beach
Nantucket, MA
Plover closureSurf · advanced
(179)
SunsetsSurfingSeclusionFishing
Surf wavesDog-friendlyLifeguardsSunsets
Ocean / Surf
Moshup Beach (public)
Aquinnah, Martha's Vineyard, MA
Plover closureSurf · intermediate
(67)
ScenerycliffsNatureSunsets+1
Surf wavesDog-friendlySunsets
Bay / Calm
Rock Harbor Beach
Orleans, MA
(25)
sunsetFishingharbor views
Calm waterDog-friendlySunsets
Sound Side
Steps Beach Nantucket
Nantucket, MA
Hidden gem
(215)
SnorkelingSeclusionWalking
Calm waterUncrowdedDog-friendlySunsets
Bay / Calm
Ellis Landing beach
Brewster, MA
Hidden gem
(76)
SeclusionsunsetQuiet
Calm waterUncrowdedDog-friendlyLifeguardsSunsets
Sound Side
Joseph Sylvia State Beach
Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard, MA
Plover closure
(613)
FamiliesSwimmingbikingKayaking
Calm waterDog-friendlyLifeguards
Ocean / Surf
Katama Beach/ South Beach
Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, MA
Plover closureAccessibleSurf · intermediate
(266)
SurfingSwimmingFamiliesSunrises
Surf wavesDog-friendlyLifeguards
Ocean / Surf
Ladies Beach
Nantucket, MA
Plover closureHidden gemSurf · intermediate
(49)
WalkingSeclusionSurfing
Surf wavesUncrowdedDog-friendlySunsets
Bay / Calm
Linnell Landing Beach
Brewster, MA
Hidden gem
(88)
Seclusiontidal flatsQuiet
Calm waterUncrowdedDog-friendlySunsets
Harbor
Menemsha Public Beach
Chilmark, Martha's Vineyard, MA
(52)
SunsetsFamiliesSwimmingScenery
Calm waterDog-friendlyLifeguardsSunsets
Ocean / Surf
Miacomet Beach
Nantucket, MA
Plover closureHidden gemSurf · intermediate
(61)
WalkingSeclusionFishing
Surf wavesUncrowdedDog-friendlySunsets
Harbor
Ptown Harbor
Provincetown, MA
(21)
town accessSwimmingconvenience
Calm waterDog-friendlySunsets
Ocean / Surf
Tom Never Beach
Nantucket, MA
Plover closureHidden gemSurf · intermediate
(6)
SeclusionWalkingFishingBirding
Surf wavesUncrowdedDog-friendly
Bay / Calm
Breakwater Beach
Brewster, MA
Accessible
(505)
Familiestidal flatssunset
Calm waterDog-friendlyLifeguardsSunsets
Bay / Calm
Chapin Memorial Beach
Dennis, MA
Plover closure
(358)
Walkingdogs off-seasonsunset
Calm waterDog-friendlySunsets
Bay / Calm
Crosby Landing Beach
Brewster, MA
(199)
Walkingtidal flatssunset
Calm waterDog-friendlyLifeguardsSunsets
Bay / Calm
Lobsterville Beach
Aquinnah, Martha's Vineyard, MA
Plover closureHidden gem
(16)
FishingSeclusionWalkingBirding
Calm waterUncrowdedDog-friendly
Bay / Calm
Point of Rocks Landing Beach
Brewster, MA
Hidden gem
(28)
SeclusionQuiet
Calm waterUncrowdedDog-friendlySunsets
Ocean / Surf
Sconset Beach
Nantucket, MA
Plover closureSurf · intermediate
(27)
village charmSceneryWalkingSunrises
Surf wavesDog-friendly
Ocean / Surf
Scusset Beach
Sandwich, MA
Plover closureAccessibleSurf · beginner
(75)
campingFishingcanal trail
Dog-friendlyLifeguardsSunsets
Sound Side
Dionis Beach
Nantucket, MA
Plover closureHidden gem
(29)
Familiescalm waterdunesSwimming
Calm waterDog-friendlyLifeguardsSunsets
Dunes
Sandy Neck Beach
West Barnstable, Barnstable, MA
Plover closureAccessible
(177)
WalkingNatureoff-roadDogs Welcome+2
Calm waterDog-friendlyLifeguardsSunsets
Bay / Calm
Saints Landing Beach
Brewster, MA
Hidden gem
(12)
tidal flatsQuietWalking
Calm waterUncrowdedDog-friendlySunsets
Bay / Calm
Robbins Hill Beach
Brewster, MA
Hidden gem
(6)
QuietWalking
Calm waterUncrowdedDog-friendlySunsets
Harbor
Brant Point Road
Nantucket, MA
No rating0
FamiliesLighthouseferry watchingcalm water
Calm waterDog-friendlySunsets
Bay / Calm
Eel Point Road
Nantucket, MA
Plover closureHidden gem
No rating0
NatureSeclusionBirdingWalking
Calm waterUncrowdedDog-friendlySunsets
Harbor
Mayo Beach
Wellfleet, MA
No rating0
Familiestown accesscalm water
Calm waterDog-friendlyLifeguardsSunsets
Ocean / Surf
Nobadeer Beach
Nantucket, MA
Plover closureSurf · intermediate
No rating0
Surfingyoung crowdBodyboarding
Surf wavesDog-friendlySunsets
Ocean / Surf
Scusset Beach Road
Sandwich, MA
Plover closureHidden gem
No rating0
campingFishingcanal trail
UncrowdedDog-friendlySunsets
Turn this list into a trip
The trip planner picks the right base town and builds a day around these beaches — traffic, tides, food and all.
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs go to Cape Cod beaches in summer?
Yes, but with restrictions. Most towns limit dogs to early morning and evening hours on lifeguarded beaches between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and many require leashes. The beaches in this list allow dogs — each page spells out its seasonal hours.
Are dogs allowed on the Cape Cod National Seashore?
Dogs on a 6-foot leash are allowed on Seashore beaches year-round, except in posted shorebird-nesting closures (roughly April through mid-summer) and on lifeguard-protected swim beaches during the day in season.
When is the best time to bring a dog to the Cape?
Off-season — from roughly October through April most towns relax beach rules substantially, and many beaches that ban dogs in summer allow them all day.