Barnstable County, MA · Atlantic Ocean

Lighthouse Beach

Main Street at Bridge Street, Chatham, MA 02633

The dramatic, ever-shifting beach below Chatham Light, where breaks in the offshore barrier let the Atlantic roll right in. Stunning to walk and photograph, with seals usually visible offshore — but rip currents and sandbars make it a swim-at-your-own-risk beach.

Eats & Drinks 25 Charters & Tours 8 Stay 7 Shops 4

Today's Conditions

Ideal for photography.

61°F air · 58°F water

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Patchy fog. Mostly cloudy. High near 61, with temperatures falling to around 55 in the afternoon. West wind around 7 mph.

Tonight

Patchy fog before 7pm, then a chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. West wind 3 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Weather

61°F air — chilly for a beach day
Fog — low visibility — good for moody photos, less for swimming

Water

58°F water — cold — wetsuit or stay dry

64 /100

good

42 Swim

42 Sunbathe

65 Walk

89 Photo

Best for photography today

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

61°F

Fog/Mist

Wind

7 mph

Rain

11%

This Afternoon

Air Quality

31 Good

Ozone · Cape Cod and Islands

UV Peak

1 Low

Peaks 01 PM · burn in ~200m

Burn-free before 12 PM & after 02 PM

Tomorrow

58°F

Chance Light Rain then Partly Sunny

Water

Water Temp

58°F

Cold

Next High Tide

10:49 PM

5.1 ft · in 4.3h

Wave Height

0.7 ft

offshore buoy

Barometer

29.61 inHg

1003 hPa · buoy 44020

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

6:19 AM

Sunset

4:27 PM

Moon · 5%

Waning Crescent

Spring tides — bigger range

Tides

Time	Type	Height
4:26 AM	Low	-0.0 ft
10:18 AM	High	5.7 ft
5:04 PM	Low	-0.4 ft
10:49 PM	High	5.1 ft

Time	Type	Height
5:10 AM	Low	0.1 ft
11:00 AM	High	5.8 ft
5:52 PM	Low	-0.4 ft
11:34 PM	High	5.0 ft

Time	Type	Height
5:51 AM	Low	0.2 ft
11:40 AM	High	5.9 ft
6:37 PM	Low	-0.4 ft

Time	Type	Height
12:17 AM	High	4.9 ft
6:31 AM	Low	0.4 ft
12:18 PM	High	5.8 ft
7:20 PM	Low	-0.3 ft

Time	Type	Height
1:00 AM	High	4.8 ft
7:09 AM	Low	0.5 ft
12:56 PM	High	5.7 ft
8:02 PM	Low	-0.1 ft

Time	Type	Height
1:43 AM	High	4.6 ft
7:48 AM	Low	0.6 ft
1:35 PM	High	5.5 ft
8:43 PM	Low	-0.0 ft

Time	Type	Height
2:26 AM	High	4.4 ft
8:27 AM	Low	0.6 ft
2:15 PM	High	5.3 ft
9:23 PM	Low	0.1 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 8447435, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Nov 7

61°

Patchy Fog

11%

Sun Nov 8

58°

Chance Light Rain then Partly Sunny

27%

Mon Nov 9

56°

Mostly Sunny then Chance Light Rain

39%

Tue Nov 10

56°

Mostly Sunny

Wed Nov 11

56°

Sunny

Thu Nov 12

53°

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain

18%

Fri Nov 13

52°

Light Rain Likely

64%

What to Bring Today

critical Wetsuit (if swimming at all) Water is 58°F — dangerously cold

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Beach Info

Parking

Limited 30-minute spots at the overlook; broader access via Eldredge lot (365 Main St) with shuttle, or street parking with a Chatham permit.

Dogs

Seasonal pet ban on town beaches May 1 – September 15. Leashed otherwise.

Entry Fee

Free

Address

Main Street at Bridge Street, Chatham, MA 02633

Amenities

restrooms

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Lighthouse Beach today?

Lighthouse Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.

Is Lighthouse Beach dog-friendly?

Seasonal pet ban on town beaches May 1 – September 15. Leashed otherwise.

Is there an entry fee at Lighthouse Beach?

Entry to Lighthouse Beach is free.

Are there lifeguards at Lighthouse Beach?

No lifeguards are stationed at Lighthouse Beach. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.

What amenities are at Lighthouse Beach?

Amenities at Lighthouse Beach include restrooms.

When is the water warmest at Lighthouse Beach?

Atlantic water temperatures peak in August. Northern beaches (ME, NH, MA) run cool — typically 60-68°F at the summer peak. Mid-Atlantic (NJ, DE, MD, VA) hits 74-76°F. The Carolinas and Florida Atlantic warm into the 80s and stay swimmable from May through October.

Where is Lighthouse Beach located?

Lighthouse Beach is in Barnstable County, MA, at Main Street at Bridge Street, Chatham, MA 02633.