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Bay / SoundDaily feeProvincetown

Herring Cove Beach

CCC VisitedVerified Jun 27, 2026

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What is Herring Cove Beach like?

A federally managed Cape Cod National Seashore beach on the bay side of Provincetown, Herring Cove faces west and is one of the Outer Cape's premier sunset-watching spots. Its calmer, gentler water makes it a popular alternative to the surf of the Atlantic-side beaches, and it offers seasonal lifeguards, restrooms, a snack bar with summer evening concerts, and beach wheelchairs available from the lifeguards.

Plan your beach day

Herring Cove Beach

Get directions

End of Route 6, Provincetown, MA 02657

Rules from Cape Cod National Seashore (NPS) (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…

Now51°FClear

Wind19 mphFrom the NW

Water60°FWaves 3.8 ft

Tides · next 24 hoursNOAA · Provincetown

Loading tide predictions…

What’s there?

Faces: West, for sunset
Water: Not noted
Current: Calm, slow
Restrooms: Yes
Food: On site
Lifeguards: In season
Parking: Daily fee
Dogs: Off-season only
Fishing: Not noted
Kayak / SUP: Not noted

What should you know before you go?

Parking

Large paved lot at the beach entrance; fills early on summer weekends

Stickers and fees

Cape Cod National Seashore entrance pass required: $25 daily vehicle pass or $60 annual seasonal beach pass (good at all six Seashore beaches). Passes sold only at beach entrances, card only (no cash).

Dogs

Off-season only

Best for

Calm Water, Families, Sunsets, Swimming, Walking

Where is it?

End of Route 6, Provincetown, MA 02657.

Get directions

Get directions Open in Google Maps

Where else can you swim in Provincetown?

Harbor
Provincetown Harbor Beach (West End)
Free parkingDogs: allowed (leashed)
The quiet western stretch of Provincetown's harbor-facing shoreline, away from the bustle of MacMillan Pier. Calm, protected water and lovely views of the harbor and Pilgrim Monument make this a favorite for locals. Warm, flat water is ideal for young children. Sunset views over the bay are exceptional.
Listed & Verified · Verified 2026-06-25
See details
Bay / Sound
Wood End Beach
Free parkingDogs: allowed (leashed)
Remote walk-in beach at the western tip of Provincetown accessible only by a 1.5-mile walk along the West End Breakwater or a long beach hike. The beach wraps around the peninsula near Wood End Lighthouse and offers stunning views of Cape Cod Bay with calm, protected water. Completely undeveloped with no facilities — true solitude.
CCC Visited · Verified 2026-10-05
See details
Ocean / Atlantic
Race Point Beach
Sticker or daily feeDogs: off-season only
A wide, dune-backed Atlantic-facing beach at the northern tip of Cape Cod within the Cape Cod National Seashore. Known for big open-ocean surf, frequent seal and whale sightings offshore, and the historic Old Harbor Life-Saving Station museum. Seasonal restrooms, showers, and changing rooms are available. Protected shorebirds nest here from late spring through fall, with posted seasonal closures.
CCC Visited · Verified 2026-06-27
See details
Harbor
Ryder Street Beach (MacMillan Beach)
Free parkingDogs: off-season only
A small, sandy town beach in the heart of downtown Provincetown at the end of Ryder Street, right beside MacMillan Pier. Its calm, clear harbor water makes it a convenient spot for sunbathing, wading, and launching a kayak, with shops, galleries, and restaurants just steps away.
CCC Visited · Verified 2026-10-05
See details
Harbor
Provincetown Harbor Beach (Town Beach)
Free parkingDogs: off-season only
The long stretch of sandy harbor shoreline running along Provincetown's waterfront on either side of MacMillan Wharf. Sheltered, calm bay water and an easy walk to shops, restaurants, and galleries make it ideal for swimming, paddling, beachcombing, and long strolls. Tides expose broad flats at low water.
CCC Visited · Verified 2026-09-29
See details
Bay / Sound
Long Point Beach
Free parkingDogs: off-season only
The remote sandspit at the very tip of Cape Cod, crowned by Long Point Lighthouse. Reached only by harbor shuttle, kayak, or a roughly 1.5-mile walk across the West End stone breakwater, it rewards the effort with quiet, uncrowded sand, calm bay water, and sweeping views back toward Provincetown. There are no facilities, so bring everything you need.
CCC Visited · Verified 2026-06-25
See details

Every Provincetown beach Beaches across the Cape

Directions

What is Herring Cove Beach like?

What should you know before you go?

Parking

Large paved lot at the beach entrance; fills early on summer weekends

Stickers and fees

Dogs

Off-season only

Best for

Calm Water, Families, Sunsets, Swimming, Walking

Where else can you swim in Provincetown?

Harbor

Provincetown Harbor Beach (West End)

Free parkingDogs: allowed (leashed)

The quiet western stretch of Provincetown's harbor-facing shoreline, away from the bustle of MacMillan Pier. Calm, protected water and lovely views of the harbor and Pilgrim Monument make this a favorite for locals. Warm, flat water is ideal for young children. Sunset views over the bay are exceptional.

Listed & Verified · Verified 2026-06-25

See details

Bay / Sound

Wood End Beach

Free parkingDogs: allowed (leashed)

Remote walk-in beach at the western tip of Provincetown accessible only by a 1.5-mile walk along the West End Breakwater or a long beach hike. The beach wraps around the peninsula near Wood End Lighthouse and offers stunning views of Cape Cod Bay with calm, protected water. Completely undeveloped with no facilities — true solitude.

CCC Visited · Verified 2026-10-05

See details

Ocean / Atlantic

Race Point Beach

Sticker or daily feeDogs: off-season only

A wide, dune-backed Atlantic-facing beach at the northern tip of Cape Cod within the Cape Cod National Seashore. Known for big open-ocean surf, frequent seal and whale sightings offshore, and the historic Old Harbor Life-Saving Station museum. Seasonal restrooms, showers, and changing rooms are available. Protected shorebirds nest here from late spring through fall, with posted seasonal closures.

CCC Visited · Verified 2026-06-27

See details

Harbor

Ryder Street Beach (MacMillan Beach)

Free parkingDogs: off-season only

A small, sandy town beach in the heart of downtown Provincetown at the end of Ryder Street, right beside MacMillan Pier. Its calm, clear harbor water makes it a convenient spot for sunbathing, wading, and launching a kayak, with shops, galleries, and restaurants just steps away.

CCC Visited · Verified 2026-10-05

See details

Harbor

Provincetown Harbor Beach (Town Beach)

Free parkingDogs: off-season only

The long stretch of sandy harbor shoreline running along Provincetown's waterfront on either side of MacMillan Wharf. Sheltered, calm bay water and an easy walk to shops, restaurants, and galleries make it ideal for swimming, paddling, beachcombing, and long strolls. Tides expose broad flats at low water.

CCC Visited · Verified 2026-09-29

See details

Bay / Sound

Long Point Beach

Free parkingDogs: off-season only

The remote sandspit at the very tip of Cape Cod, crowned by Long Point Lighthouse. Reached only by harbor shuttle, kayak, or a roughly 1.5-mile walk across the West End stone breakwater, it rewards the effort with quiet, uncrowded sand, calm bay water, and sweeping views back toward Provincetown. There are no facilities, so bring everything you need.

CCC Visited · Verified 2026-06-25

See details