Sandy Neck Beach Barnstable, Massachusetts

Sandy Neck Beach

(508) 362-8300
41.738881, -70.381145
590 Sandy Neck Road
W. Barnstable, MA 02668
Barnstable County

At 6 miles long, Sandy Neck Beach is one of the area’s longest beaches. Sandy Neck has been recognized by the state of Massachusetts as an “Area of Critical Environmental Concern” with a significant amount of natural resources and endangered species. Additionally, Sandy Neck is designated as a Cultural Historical District with the 100 year old dune shacks and cottages, including the Sandy Neck Lighthouse which was built in 1857. The beach offers many activities that are different from other area beaches such as taking a vehicle off road, camping, campfires, fat biking, horseback riding, and events. http://www.town.barnstable.ma.us/SandyNeckPark/events/eventshome.aspx Beach sand is coarse with large amounts of pebbles, rocks, and shells particularly at the water’s edge; water shoes may be necessary. The grade to the water is steeper than most Cape beaches but is manageable; waves at most times are small.

Hours Of Operation

9am to 9pm

Parking

Resident and non-resident beach stickers are required to park year round. Stickers are on sale May 1 and are available at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center 141 Basset Lane, Hyannis. (508) 790-6345 x110
Resident Recreation Parking Permit, $40
Daily Resident and Non-resident Pass, $20
Handicap Individual Parking Permit, $15
Visitor’s Weekly Parking Permit, $70
Visitor’s Seasonal Parking Permit, $250
Landlord Transferable Parking Permit, $300
Beach Sticker Information

Parking Regulations

Life Guard

On-duty daily 9am to 5pm starting mid-June and ending Labor Day

Campfires

Allowed in the evening April 1st through October 31st on the front beach with permit. See link for more details. Campfire Information

Food

Carry in/carry out beach with concessions stand available on-site

Lodging

Motels/hotels and rentals are available within 5 minutes driving. Camping is allowed. Camping Information

Pets

All dogs must be leashed, (15’ leash or less) from March 1st until September 15th.
Dogs are NOT allowed on Bodfish Beach (including the beach parking lots), from May 15th through September 15th. Bodfish Beach is the section of public bathing beach located in front of the Sandy Neck parking lots that is designated by “Lifeguard On Duty” signs.
Dogs are allowed on the Off Road Vehicle (ORV) Beach year round. Vehicles with ORV permits are the only ones authorized to drive past the Gatehouse with a dog in the vehicle from May 15th to September 15th.
Dogs are allowed on the Great Marsh Hiking Trail. The entrance to the Great Marsh Hiking Trail is located at the Gatehouse. Parking for people with dogs is available but not guaranteed at the Gatehouse when space is available.
Dogs can be walked down the Great Marsh Hiking Trail from the Gatehouse and can access the Off Road Vehicle Beach via Trail 1 (approx. 1 mile hike).
Dogs can be walked down the Access Trail from the Gatehouse to get to the Off Road Vehicle Beach (approx. ½ mile hike).

Picnic Area

Tables are available near the concessions stand under a pavilion.

Playground

A sand box is available on-site near the pavilion and restrooms.

Public Transportation

http://www.capecodtransit.org/

New England Travel Planner

Restrooms / Showers

Restrooms and showers available on-site 9am to 4:30pm.

Surfing/Kayaking/Paddle Boarding

According to the Town of Barnstable Rules and Regulations, “Floatation devices are allowed in on-shore breezes only.” Fat Bikes are allowed on the front beach and marked trails and are not allowed in the dunes. Additionally, taking a vehicle is allowed; see the link for more information. Off-Road Vehicle Information

Tide Information

Sandy Neck Beach Tide Information

Walking Trails

Sandy Neck Beach has 7.5 miles of trails that loop around and are dog friendly.Trail Map

Water Quality

Water quality is monitored from Memorial Day to Labor Day. For more information please call (617) 626-1250. The accepted standard is 104 CFU/100mL in a single day or an average of 35 CFU/100mL over five days. The link below is the test results from 2003 to the current year. Sandy Neck Beach Water Quality

Water Temperature

http://ma.usharbors.com/harbor-guide/barnstable-harbor/weather
Click on “view more buoy data” to view water temperature.

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