Ocean / AtlanticLighthouse Beach
Chatham's iconic Atlantic-facing beach below the Chatham Light, known for its dramatic shifting sandbars, seals, and big open-ocean views. Best reached on foot since overlook parking is very limited.
Lower Cape · Town guide
Chatham, Massachusetts
Chatham is the Cape's elbow — the town where Main Street still looks like the postcard, the fishing fleet still lands its catch at the pier, and the fog rolls in off the Atlantic on three sides. It's one of the Cape's most polished towns and one of its most expensive, a place where sea captains' houses share streets with weathered-shingle cottages and the year-round community runs deep beneath the summer shine.
Every place below is listed and verified by Cape Cod Certified.
Right now
55° · Sunny
High tide · Stage Harbor
12:24 PM
Sunset
5:42 PM
Where is everything in Chatham?
35 verified places in Chatham, 28 on the map. Tap a photo, pin or row for its details, or narrow the list by kind under the map.
Tap a photo to see details
Oyster Pond BeachCCC Visited
Jackknife Harbor Beach (Pleasant Bay)CCC Visited- Hardings Beach
- Ridgevale Beach
- Cockle Cove Beach
- Forest Beach
Chatham Fish Pier Observation DeckCCC Visited- George Ryder Forest Conservation Trail
- Lighthouse Beach Walk (Chatham Bar & Seal Colony)
- Morris Island Trail (Monomoy NWR)
- Forest Beach Conservation Area Loop
- Old Comers Woodland Trail
- Rolf E. Sylvan Gardens Trail
- Barclay's Pond Conservation Trail
- Old Colony Rail Trail (Chatham)
Aplaya Kitchen + Tiki Bar
Buffy's Ice Cream- Cape Cod Coffee — Chatham
Chatham Art in the Park
Chatham Paint & Hardware
Chatham Pier Fish Market
Goodies
Snowy Owl Coffee Espresso Bar — Chatham
Soft As A Grape — Chatham- Sol Optics Chatham
- The Black Dog General Store Chatham
- The Cape Charm
34 of 35 places shown
Outdoors
What beach should I go to in Chatham?
3 of 7 verified beaches in Chatham are free. 3 take a town sticker or a daily fee and 1 is resident-sticker only.
Can I park?
- Ocean / Atlantic
- Bay / Sound
Oyster Pond Beach
Chatham's only public beach combining free parking with lifeguard supervision, Oyster Pond is a tidal saltwater pond whose enclosed, warm, shallow water makes it the safest swimming spot in town for young children. A paved stroller-friendly path leads from parking to shore. The Town of Chatham runs Red Cross swim lessons here each summer.
- Harbor
Jackknife Harbor Beach (Pleasant Bay)
A small, calm beach on Pleasant Bay with free parking and protected water. It is the one Chatham beach where leashed dogs are allowed in summer (before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.).
- Bay / Sound
Hardings Beach
A long, popular Nantucket Sound beach in West Chatham with lifeguards, restrooms, and a seasonal concession stand. Good surf, soft sand, and a scenic walk toward Stage Harbor Light.
- Bay / Sound
Ridgevale Beach
A family-friendly Nantucket Sound beach between Hardings and Cockle Cove, with lifeguards, restrooms, and a seasonal concession stand. A tidal creek behind the beach is popular with kids.
- Bay / Sound
Cockle Cove Beach
One of Chatham's best beaches for young families, with lifeguards, restrooms, calm shallow water off Nantucket Sound, and a marshy tidal creek that's ideal for wading.
- Bay / Sound
Forest Beach
A quiet, free Nantucket Sound beach and conservation area in South Chatham with a tidal salt marsh and a short loop trail, popular with walkers and birders rather than crowds.
Where can I hike in Chatham?
Chatham has 9 verified trails, 9 of them easy. The longest is Old Colony Rail Trail (Chatham), at 4.25 miles.
- Easy
Chatham Fish Pier Observation Deck
The Chatham Fish Pier is a working commercial waterfront on Aunt Lydia's Cove, and the observation deck at the fish-packing building gives visitors an up-close look at the fishing fleet. From the deck, with its lobster-trap seats and harbor viewer, you can watch boats come and go from the pier and floats below, and the town notes you'll often see seals too. Visitors are asked to use the marked parking and crosswalks, stay in the pedestrian areas, and not feed or approach the seals, which is prohibited under federal law. It's a short, easy stop and a real look at Chatham's fishing life.
Town of Chatham for Chatham Fish Pier Observation Deck (opens in a new tab) - Easy · 1 mi
George Ryder Forest Conservation Trail
A quiet wooded trail through oak, cedar, and pitch pine forest on Chatham Conservation land. The narrow sandy trail descends near Mary's Pond and borders Barclay Pond Conservation Foundation land to the north. Unique and threatened native vegetation throughout; be aware of poison ivy near the trail edge and dense deer tick populations in summer.
Town of Chatham Conservation Areas, Chatham Conservation Foundation for George Ryder Forest Conservation Trail (opens in a new tab) - Easy · 1 mi
Lighthouse Beach Walk (Chatham Bar & Seal Colony)
One of the most dramatic short beach walks on Cape Cod, beginning at the base of the stairway below Chatham Light and rounding the outer bar south toward the seal colony. Turn right at the bottom of the stairs and continue a half-mile along the high-tide line to regularly encounter dozens of harbor seals basking onshore. The beach connects south toward Monomoy via South Beach; swimming is not recommended due to strong currents and shark activity.
ChathamInfo.com, AllTrails, Lonely Planet for Lighthouse Beach Walk (Chatham Bar & Seal Colony) (opens in a new tab) - Easy
Morris Island Trail (Monomoy NWR)
A self-guided interpretive walk on Morris Island, the mainland gateway to Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. The trail descends to the shore with sweeping views over the flats toward the Monomoy islands and is one of the Cape's premier spots for shorebirds and seals. Portions along the beach are tide-dependent.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Monomoy NWR for Morris Island Trail (Monomoy NWR) (opens in a new tab) - Easy · 1.1 mi
Forest Beach Conservation Area Loop
An easy loop trail through a 74-acre conservation area on Nantucket Sound, winding past a tidal salt marsh, coastal scrub, and a small beach. A favorite of birders, especially during fall migration, and home to remnants of the historic WCC ship-to-shore radio station.
Town of Chatham - Conservation Areas for Forest Beach Conservation Area Loop (opens in a new tab) - Easy · 0.75 mi
Old Comers Woodland Trail
A quiet 0.75-mile loop through a 39-acre oak and pine forest preserved by the Chatham Conservation Foundation. A shaded, easygoing walk well suited to families and casual hikers.
Chatham Conservation Foundation for Old Comers Woodland Trail (opens in a new tab) - Easy
Rolf E. Sylvan Gardens Trail
Nearly 10 acres of woodland with Chatham's first ADA-accessible trail, offering gentle walking and views overlooking White Pond and Black Pond. Maintained by the Chatham Conservation Foundation.
Chatham Conservation Foundation for Rolf E. Sylvan Gardens Trail (opens in a new tab) - Easy
Barclay's Pond Conservation Trail
An 11-acre woodland preserve with trails leading past former cranberry bogs to views of Mill Pond. A peaceful, lightly traveled walk maintained by the Chatham Conservation Foundation.
Chatham Conservation Foundation for Barclay's Pond Conservation Trail (opens in a new tab) - Easy · 4.25 mi
Old Colony Rail Trail (Chatham)
A paved 4.25-mile rail trail (the Chatham spur of the Cape Cod Rail Trail system) running from the Harwich bike rotary east into Chatham through pitch-pine woods and residential areas, with some on-road sections near downtown. Popular for biking, walking, and family rides.
Where to park on the Cape Cod Rail TrailTown of Chatham - Bicycling in Chatham for Old Colony Rail Trail (Chatham) (opens in a new tab)
How should I plan a day in Chatham?
All 133 guidesStart with “Best Sunset Spots on Cape Cod: Bay Side, Harbor Views, and the Prettiest Endings to a Cape Day”. 133 guides on this site cover Chatham; the rest are linked below the cards.
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133 more Chatham guides
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Do I need a beach sticker in Chatham?
Yes, at 4 of the 7 beaches we list; 3 are free. Prices, dates and where to buy are below.
Beach sticker info
Beach/parking stickers required at staffed beaches from the third Friday in June through Labor Day. Non-resident passes (2025): $30 daily, $90 weekly, $190 seasonal. Resident/taxpayer stickers and passes available at the Sticker Office, 261 George Ryder Road, or online. Forest, Oyster Pond, Pleasant Street, and Jackknife beaches have free parking.
Transfer station permits
Residents must obtain a Chatham Transfer Station & Recycle Sticker; disposal fees apply for certain items. Call 508-945-5151 to confirm sticker and fee details.
Town services, hours & phone numbers
Town Hall
Chatham Town Offices (Town Hall) (opens in a new tab)Senior Center
Chatham Center for Active Living (Council on Aging) (opens in a new tab)193 School St, Chatham, MA 02633
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (call to confirm program hours)
Transfer Station
Chatham Transfer Station (opens in a new tab)97 Sam Ryder Road, Chatham, MA 02633
Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; closed Wednesdays until further notice
Schools
Monomoy Regional School District (Chatham) (opens in a new tab)Beaches
Chatham town beaches: Lighthouse, Hardings, Ridgevale, Cockle Cove, Forest, Oyster Pond & Pleasant Bay (Jackknife) (opens in a new tab)Trails
Trails & refuges: Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge (Morris Island), Chatham Conservation Foundation lands, and the Old Colony Rail Trail (Cape Cod Rail Trail) (opens in a new tab)
Plan your visit
Where should I stay in Chatham?
We haven't verified a place to stay in Chatham yet. Browse verified stays across the Cape instead.
Stays
No Chatham stays listed yet
We only list places we've checked. Browse lodging across the Cape in the meantime.
Browse all lodging →Where should I eat in Chatham?
Cape Cod Certified has visited and verified 3 places to eat in Chatham. Filter by what you're after, or open the full restaurant list.
Aplaya Kitchen + Tiki Bar
Aplaya Kitchen + Tiki Bar serves Filipino food with a Cape Cod twist on an outdoor patio tucked behind Main Street in downtown Chatham — follow the path back from 483 Main Street. The name means 'beach' or 'coast' in Tagalog, and the menu runs from Mom's handmade lumpia and chicken adobo to Filipino BBQ pork ribs and a spicy lobster roll, with tiki drinks and frozen cocktails from the bar. The covered patio has painted tiki posts, hanging glass floats and blue bistro chairs around a well-stocked back bar.
VerifiedSee photos, map & directionsBuffy's Ice Cream
Buffy's Ice Cream is the Tudor-style ice cream shop on Main Street in downtown Chatham, easy to spot by its hanging pink-cone sign and pink bench. Its own site says Buffy's has been serving Chatham's only homemade ice cream since 1994, and since April 2022 it has also been the home of Chatham Ice Cream Bars. Chalkboard menus list homemade flavors, ice cream bars and café drinks, and the counter is decorated with hand-painted comic panels. It's a classic stop for a cone on a summer walk through town.
VerifiedSee photos, map & directionsChatham Pier Fish Market
Chatham Pier Fish Market sits right on the historic Chatham Fish Pier, where the commercial fleet still comes in with the day's catch. The market says it sources directly from, and works side by side with, the fishermen who land that catch, and its kitchen turns out classic New England seafood to eat with a view of the harbor. Its Cook & Crack service steams lobsters (never boils them) and cracks them so they're ready to eat at the pier or carry home to a cookout. Grab one of the lobster-trap chairs out front and watch the boats work the harbor.
VerifiedSee photos, map & directions
What is there to do in Chatham this weekend?
All experiences7 experiences in Chatham can be booked through Cape Cod Certified. Prices and availability come from each operator.
Luxury WeekendResort-Run · Small GroupChatham Seal & Harbor Cruise
A one-hour cruise along Chatham's coastline for close views of seals on the sandbars, passing the iconic Chatham Lighthouse and Fish Pier. A polished, resort-run outing.
Varies
Check availability
Cape ClassicsLocal-Only StopsChatham Walking Food Tour
A 3-hour guided amble from the Chatham Fish Pier through the village's historic streets, with 4–5 tasting stops at favorite spots. The Cape's only Chatham walking food tour.
~$90–$110
Check availability
Cape ClassicsTastings IncludedChatham Bites and Sights Walking Guided Food Tasting Tour
A guided Cape Cod food-and-drink experience with small-group tastings. Booked on Viator.
from $79
Check availability
Beach DayOnly Gray Seal Colony on CapeChatham Harbor Seal Tour
A 90-minute tour of Chatham Harbor between North Beach and Chatham Light for close looks at the famous gray-seal colony. A laid-back, kid-friendly Chatham classic.
~$48/adult
Check availability
Rainy DayPottery · Painting · Jewelry · All LevelsArt Classes at Creative Arts Center Chatham
Non-profit arts center in Chatham offering classes in pottery, painting, drawing, and jewelry-making for all skill levels. Drop-in and multi-session courses run year-round — a strong rainy-day option for the whole family.
from $20
Check availability
Beach DayGlows After DarkSUP Lessons, Tours & Glow Tours
Cape Cod's original SUP outfitter offers daily lessons, guided harbor tours and after-dark Glow Tours. Calm Chatham waters make it ideal for first-timers and sunset seekers.
$50–$60
Check availability
Cape Classics6 Seats · Live Shark Research · Scientists AboardAtlantic White Shark Conservancy — Shark Research Cruise
Join a working research trip with AWSC scientists and an aerial spotter pilot to tag and track great white sharks in the waters off Chatham. Six seats max per trip — you're part of the science, not just watching it.
from $500/person
Check availability
What can you do in Chatham on a rainy day?
3 verified places in Chatham work on a rainy day. Shops and cafés are the other indoor plan.
The Black Dog General Store Chatham
Iconic Martha's Vineyard brand meets the Outer Cape. The Black Dog General Store in Chatham carries the full collection of signature dog-logo apparel, accessories, and gifts for men, women, and kids.
VerifiedSee photos, map & directionsThe Cape Charm
The Cape Charm is a coastal gifts and apparel shop on Main Street in downtown Chatham, right next door to Buffy's Ice Cream. Inside, lit black shelving is stacked with Chatham and Cape Cod caps, sweatshirts and tees, alongside straw sun hats, beach totes, striped beach towels and plush lobsters and sea creatures. Bay windows look out onto Main Street, so it's an easy stop on a downtown stroll.
VerifiedSee photos, map & directionsCape Cod Coffee — Chatham
Cape Cod Coffee has been small-batch roasting on Cape Cod since 1970 — single-origin beans, signature house blends, and cold brew, served at their cafés and shipped nationwide. A true local roaster and Cape institution.
VerifiedSee photos, map & directions
Which Cape towns are closest to Chatham?
Harwich and Brewster are the closest, about 6 and 8 miles away as the crow flies.
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Real estate offices in Chatham
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See placementsCommon questions about Chatham
Is Chatham on Cape Cod?
Yes. Chatham is on the Lower Cape, along with Brewster, Harwich and Orleans.
Which Chatham beaches are free?
There's no fee at Oyster Pond Beach, Jackknife Harbor Beach (Pleasant Bay) and Forest Beach, according to our beach records.
Are dogs allowed on Chatham beaches?
Leashed dogs are allowed at Jackknife Harbor Beach (Pleasant Bay). Dogs are allowed off-season only at Lighthouse Beach, Oyster Pond Beach, Hardings Beach, Ridgevale Beach, Cockle Cove Beach and Forest Beach.
How do I get a transfer station permit in Chatham?
Residents must obtain a Chatham Transfer Station & Recycle Sticker; disposal fees apply for certain items. Call 508-945-5151 to confirm sticker and fee details.