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Ocean / AtlanticResident sticker onlyChatham

Lighthouse Beach

CCC VisitedVerified Jun 25, 2026

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What is Lighthouse Beach like?

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.

Plan your beach day

Lighthouse Beach

Get directions

Main Street at Chatham Light, Chatham, MA 02633

Rules from Town of Chatham - Beach Parking Information (opens in a new tab). Check before you go; they change by season.

When should you go?

Best time to go

Checking today’s tides and sun times…

Now48°FClear

Wind8 mphFrom the W

Water61°FWaves 2.1 ft

Tides · next 24 hoursNOAA · Chatham

Loading tide predictions…

What’s there?

Faces: Not noted
Water: Deep
Current: Surf, strong current
Restrooms: Not noted
Food: Not noted
Lifeguards: Not noted
Parking: Resident sticker only
Dogs: Off-season only
Fishing: Not noted
Kayak / SUP: Not noted

What should you know before you go?

Parking

Roadside overlook parking only, limited to 30 minutes; sticker required July 1-Labor Day, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Stickers and fees

Overlook parking restricted to 30 minutes; resident/taxpayer sticker required July 1 through Labor Day, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. No public lot; most visitors walk in from town.

Dogs

Off-season only

Best for

Shelling, Surf & Waves, Walking

Where is it?

Main Street at Chatham Light, Chatham, MA 02633.

Get directions

Get directions Open in Google Maps

Where else can you swim in Chatham?

Bay / Sound
Hardings Beach
Sticker or daily feeDogs: off-season only
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.
Listed & Verified · Verified 2026-06-19
See details
Bay / Sound
Ridgevale Beach
Sticker or daily feeDogs: off-season only
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.
Listed & Verified · Verified 2026-06-19
See details
Bay / Sound
Cockle Cove Beach
Sticker or daily feeDogs: off-season only
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.
Listed & Verified · Verified 2026-06-19
See details
Bay / Sound
Forest Beach
Free parkingDogs: off-season only
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.
Listed & Verified · Verified 2026-06-19
See details
Bay / Sound
Oyster Pond Beach
Free parkingDogs: off-season only
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.
CCC Visited · Verified 2026-06-25
See details
Harbor
Jackknife Harbor Beach (Pleasant Bay)
Free parkingDogs: allowed (leashed)
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.).
CCC Visited · Verified 2026-06-25
See details

Every Chatham beach Beaches across the Cape

Directions

What should you know before you go?

Parking

Roadside overlook parking only, limited to 30 minutes; sticker required July 1-Labor Day, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Stickers and fees

Overlook parking restricted to 30 minutes; resident/taxpayer sticker required July 1 through Labor Day, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. No public lot; most visitors walk in from town.

Dogs

Off-season only

Best for

Shelling, Surf & Waves, Walking

Where else can you swim in Chatham?

Bay / Sound

Hardings Beach

Sticker or daily feeDogs: off-season only

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.

Listed & Verified · Verified 2026-06-19

See details

Bay / Sound

Ridgevale Beach

Sticker or daily feeDogs: off-season only

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.

Listed & Verified · Verified 2026-06-19

See details

Bay / Sound

Cockle Cove Beach

Sticker or daily feeDogs: off-season only

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.

Listed & Verified · Verified 2026-06-19

See details

Bay / Sound

Forest Beach

Free parkingDogs: off-season only

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.

Listed & Verified · Verified 2026-06-19

See details

Bay / Sound

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.

CCC Visited · Verified 2026-06-25

See details

Harbor

Jackknife Harbor Beach (Pleasant Bay)

Free parkingDogs: allowed (leashed)

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.).

CCC Visited · Verified 2026-06-25

See details