61°
Patchy Fog
12%
47
Barnstable County, MA · Atlantic Ocean
Nauset Beach
250 Beach Rd, East Orleans, MA 02643
A 10-mile barrier beach on Cape Cod's outer arm, managed by the town of Orleans. Big Atlantic surf, white-shark advisories taken seriously, and a snack bar with a cult-favorite onion ring. Off-road-vehicle access on the lower beach (permit required).
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 54 in the afternoon. West wind around 10 mph.
Tonight
Patchy fog before 7pm, then a chance of rain between 1am and 4am, then a chance of rain and patchy fog. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. West wind 7 to 18 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
47 /100
ok
41 Swim
40 Sunbathe
63 Walk
63 Fish
89 Photo
Best for photography today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
61°F
Fog/Mist
Wind
10 mph
W
Rain
12%
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
58°
Chance Light Rain then Partly Sunny
30%
27
56°
Mostly Sunny then Chance Light Rain
42%
25
56°
Mostly Sunny
2%
45
56°
Sunny
1%
46
52°
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain
17%
41
52°
Light Rain Likely
64%
5
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).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Major
8:50 PM - 10:50 PM
Minor
4:20 AM - 5:20 AM
Major
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Minor
2:50 PM - 3:50 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Paid town lot — daily hangtag $32.50 (2026), weekly $165. Fills by mid-morning.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on the main public beach April 1 – Labor Day. Off-leash (voice-controlled) day after Labor Day – March 31. Leashed dogs allowed year-round on the ORV section south of Trail #1 (max 30-ft leash).
Entry Fee
Daily hangtag $32.50; weekly $165.
Address
250 Beach Rd, East Orleans, MA 02643
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Nauset Beach today?
Nauset 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. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Nauset Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on the main public beach April 1 – Labor Day. Off-leash (voice-controlled) day after Labor Day – March 31. Leashed dogs allowed year-round on the ORV section south of Trail #1 (max 30-ft leash).
Is there an entry fee at Nauset Beach?
Daily hangtag $32.50; weekly $165.
Are there lifeguards at Nauset Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Nauset Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Nauset Beach?
Amenities at Nauset Beach include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, snack bar, ORV access (permit).
When is the water warmest at Nauset 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 Nauset Beach located?
Nauset Beach is in Barnstable County, MA, at 250 Beach Rd, East Orleans, MA 02643.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS