Ocean / Surf
Ballston Beach
Truro, MA
Hidden gemSurf · intermediate
(141)
SeclusionScenery
Surf wavesUncrowdedLifeguards
Best Surfing Beaches on Cape Cod
Real waves on the Cape mean the Atlantic-facing outer beaches, most of them inside the National Seashore. Swell is best in late summer and fall when tropical systems light up the coastline; wetsuits are standard equipment since the ocean side rarely leaves the 60s. Respect the posted shark advisories — this is seal country.
12 of 92 mainland Cape Cod beaches make this list, ranked by visitor rating.
Ocean / Surf
Cahoon Hollow Beach
Wellfleet, MA
Surf · intermediate
(57)
Surfingyoung crowdnightlife
Surf wavesLifeguards
National Seashore
Coast Guard Beach
Eastham, MA
AccessibleSurf · intermediateSeal viewing
(957)
SurfingBodyboardingsealsScenery
Surf wavesLifeguards
National Seashore
Head of the Meadow Beach
Truro, MA
Hidden gemAccessibleSurf · intermediateSeal viewing
(206)
SwimmingNatureQuiet
Surf wavesLifeguards
Ocean / Surf
Lecount Hollow Beach
Wellfleet, MA
Hidden gemSurf · intermediate
(104)
SurfingSeclusion
Surf wavesUncrowdedLifeguards
Ocean / Surf
Nauset Beach
Orleans, MA
AccessibleSurf · intermediateSeal viewing
(1,330)
SurfingBodyboardinglong walks
Surf wavesLifeguards
National Seashore
Race Point Beach
Provincetown, MA
AccessibleSurf · intermediateWhales from shoreSeal viewing
(1,375)
SurfingwhalessunsetSeclusion
Surf wavesLifeguardsSunsets
National Seashore
Marconi Beach
Wellfleet, MA
AccessibleSurf · intermediate
(306)
SwimmingScenerydramatic cliffs
Surf wavesLifeguards
National Seashore
Nauset Light Beach
Eastham, MA
AccessibleSurf · intermediateSeal viewing
(880)
SwimmingSceneryLighthouse
Surf wavesLifeguards
Ocean / Surf
Newcomb Hollow Beach
Wellfleet, MA
Hidden gemSurf · intermediateSeal viewing
(206)
SurfingSeclusion
Surf wavesUncrowdedLifeguards
Ocean / Surf
White Crest Beach
Wellfleet, MA
Surf · advanced
(330)
SurfingBodyboarding
Surf wavesLifeguards
Ocean / Surf
Longnook Beach
Truro, MA
Hidden gemSurf · advanced
(88)
Scenerydramatic cliffsSeclusion
Surf wavesUncrowdedLifeguards
Turn this list into a plan
Tell the trip planner where you're staying and who's coming — it builds the day around these beaches: traffic, tides, food and all.
“Surf day for a ___ (beginner? experienced?) surfer — staying near ___”
Frequently asked questions
Where do people surf on Cape Cod?
Along the outer Cape’s Atlantic coast — the ocean-facing beaches from Chatham up through Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown. These take open-ocean swell directly; the bay and sound sides are too protected to surf.
When is surf season on Cape Cod?
Late August through October is the sweet spot: hurricane-season swell, water at its warmest, and thinner crowds. Winter delivers the biggest waves for those with 5mm rubber.
Are sharks a concern for Cape Cod surfers?
White sharks patrol the outer beaches in summer and fall following the seal population. Heed purple shark flags and posted closures, avoid dawn/dusk sessions near seals, and check the Sharktivity app before paddling out.