The surfing in Cape Cod is some of the best in MA, with beach breaks up a long run of well-exposed shore. Sharks and cold temperatures are the downfall.
An introduction to surfing in Cape Cod
The thing about Cape Cod is that it pokes up north-to-south in the Atlantic Ocean but doesn’t really lead to anywhere. So, if you’re going to make the drive in from Boston or Hyannis, you better be sure that there’s swell, since it’s a dead end with nowhere to go. Thankfully, The Cape (as the local crews call it) is probably the most reliable surf territory in Massachusetts.
It’s a 40-mile run of pretty inviting beach break that does spectacular things on post-storm swells in the winter, mainly thanks to almost unceasing SW offshore winds. Summer surf is all but dead, but by fall this is about chasing absolute bombs and whistling A-frame rights and lefts from Eastham to North Truro.
The downside of The Cape are the same as virtually anywhere else in New England, with an added kicker that’s enough to keep lots away. Number one: It’s cold. Sub-30 sea temps mean that you’re going to be piling on the neoprene here. You’ll be wishing you were being boiled like one of them MA lobsters after only a few minutes duck diving in these parts mid-Decemeber. Two: Sharks. Great whites patrol this part of the shoreline and the problem is getting worse and worse. People have even died.
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This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing on the East Coast and surfing in Massachusetts
Surfing in Cape Cod at a glance
The good:
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What’s in this guide to Surfing in Cape Cod?
A guide to Cape Cod surf spots
All of the Cape Cod surf spots worth a mention are located on the western side of the peninsula, starting with Nauset in the south.
Nauset Beach
One of the most southerly beaches on Cape Cod and the first one that gets and serious E-NE swell after big storm systems, Nauset Beach is a good option if you don’t want to drive too far up the spine of the Cape. It’s quite exposed, so things tend to be messy on bigger days, but the sandbanks don’t shift so much so it’s easier to predict what will be on given the swell forecast. Nauset Beach also has better amenities than many of the other CC sands, with parking, boardwalk access, and good links to 6 Highway.
Marconi Beach
Marconi Beach is up there with the best quality spots for surfing in Cape Cod. It’s tucked into the National Seashore just north of Nauset. There, the coastline bends a little to face more directly W-NW and the fall sandbanks can often help shape oncoming winter swells going direct E or SE into the fastest and hollow beach breaks in the region.
Whitecrest Beach/4 Mile
Run down the huge dune face at Whitecrest Beach and you’ll enter the prime surf spot of Cape Cod. Also known as 4 Mile, this one’s home to some really nice shorebreak waves that form beutifuly off the sandbanks to offer lots of peeling rights and lefts. Fall surfs are better here becuase they will often combine with the offshore winds. When it’s big it can be a mess, but does hold to overhead on occasion. Sharks are a serious issue.
Meadow Beach
As a general rule, the longer up Cape Cod you go, the emptier the spots will become. But don’t just look to Meadow Beach to kill the crowds. Look here becuase there’s something special in the sandbanks when they align nicely that helps to create some of the cruisier CC waves going. Expect to be alone and don’t go thinking that the sharks don’t come here either!
Long Nook
Right at the tip of Cape Cod, Long Nook Beach is well positioned to hoover any low-pressure easterly swells of the Azores systems and in a prime location to make the most of those autumn SW offshore winds. The result are occasaional days when the glassiest waves aroud break at Long Nook, though the local crowd are usually on it when they do.
Where to stay when surfing in Cape Cod
Cape Cod is packed with hotel options – this is one of Massachusset’s main vacation regions, after all. However, a lot of the best-rated spots are located around Hyannis and further west, so here are our picks for the ones that get you right by the surf beaches, or at least within easy striking distance.
Breakwater Hotel
The Breakwater Hotel channels proper New England coastal feels to offer a series of remote cottage-style stays on the side of northern Cape Cod. You can check the waves from the window of your suite and be surfing just steps from the door. There’s also oodles of parking for your wheels.
Indian Neck Cottage
This rustic little shack is a cool place to hideaway on the far western edge of The Cape during a surf trip. It’s got real get-away-from-it-all vibes but also good access (by road) to the main surf spots south of Truro.
Even’tide Resort Motel & Cottages
Well-placed for reaching virtually all the beaches in Cape Cod by car, the Even’tide Resort Motel & Cottages has family-friendly rooms in the forests of the central Cape. The extras are what make it – think outdoor basketball courts and an indoor pool area.
Step-by-step guide to planning your [yoast_kw] trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the [yoast_kw]…Lately, we like Omio for searching flights. It’s a nice interface and has lots of airline options. We also use Skyscanner because that sometimes offers deals that even beat going direct to the carrier!
Step two: Book your surf camp Book Surf Camps is the numero uno online booking platform for fully-fledged surf-stay packages on the internet right now. Then there’s Booking.com. That has consistently unbeatable rates for hotels and a nifty map feature that lets you check EXACTLY how close your hotel is to a surf break.
Step three: Get insuranceThis is kinda’ important. Not just for surf trips but for any trips. SafetyWing is great for nomad travelers. They offer rolling contracts that cover amateur surfing.
Step four (optional): Rent a car If you’re surf camping then you might not need wheels. If you’re not then we’ll just say this: We’ve never been on a surf trip that wasn’t improved by having our own car. Use RentalCars – they’re the best.
Step four: Enjoy!
When to surf in Cape Cod?
Fall and winter are the trump times in Cape Cod. Becuase of the northerly bend in the beaches, there’s a little less of a reliance on hurricane swells in the tropics and more action off NE Atlantic swells from higher in the ocean longtitudes. TL;DR – September onwards is the top time to visit with the board in tow.
Summer (June-August)
There can be some good summer days on The Cape. They usaully come around when there’s a decently powerful tropical system in the south, with enough force to create refracting swells of the south side of the peninsular. When this happens, glassy days with little wind can lend themselves to beginners.
Fall (September-October)
The surfing in Cape Cod starts getting better and better as August turns to September. Okay, so it’s shark season and the ocean quickly loses any warmth to put you back in the rubber before you can finish some smoky clam chowder. But this is high time for E-SE swells with real power and big periods – perfect for lipping up over the sandbanks on the Truro beaches to the north.
Winter (December-February)
You might not want to hear this but winter is the best time to surf in Cape Cod. Yes, it’s fricking freezing, with regular beach snowfall and water temps that will chill the beard until it almost snaps off. But the waves are big, powerful, and more consistent at any other time in the calendar, though we woudl say it’s intermediates and up. Stroms combined with SW offshores from inland US can help make proper bombs in the mid-winter months especially.
Spring (March-May)
There’s lots of rideable surf up for grabs in Cape Cod during the spring, but you might have to play a waiting game. Basically, you’re after the tail-end of any lingering winter storms, which can be often or can be scarce. Don’t even think about shedding the thick rubber until at least May, and even then only if you’re the bravest of the brave!
Surf shops in Cape Cod
The surf scene in Cape Cod has always been very local. The upshot? There are some proper, home-grown surf shops where you’ll be welcomed with an ear-to-ear New England smile and lots of inside info on the waves and swells.
The Boarding House
Run by veteran Cape Cod surfer Mike Archer, The Boarding House is the best place to shop in Hyannis. It’s boomed with surf-skate gear in more recent years but there’s still a tasty quiver of new boards and skimboards for those looking to get wet.
Pump House Surf Shop
Pump House Surf Shop sits on the main road heading north from Orleans, so you can easily drop in en route to Truro et al. At heart, it’s an honest East Coast surf shop, with stock of longboards, SUPs, and beginner foamies.
Where to eat and drink in Cape Cod?
You won’t go hungry on The Cape, that’s for sure. The southern towns are really well known for their seafood joints, but we’ve listed two spots closer to the surf beaches for ya’ that we like.
Bob’s Sub and Cone Family Restaurant
Honest, filling grub that does some of the meanest clam fritters in the whole of Cape Cod awaits at Bob’s Sub and Cone Family Restaurant. So do milkshake floats, pizzas, fries, and more.
Flying Fish Cafe
It’s not on the east coast of Cape Cod, although still easy to reach if you’re cruising up to Truro, but the Flying Fish Cafe does pizzas, coffees, and a selection of gluten-free cakes.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
