When staying in Falmouth you’ll no doubt want to visit the beautiful beaches. With 68 miles of coastline, 10 beaches, and stunning views of both the Vineyard and Nantucket Sound, there are plenty of beaches to choose from in Falmouth on Cape Cod. Whether you’ve brought the little ones and are looking for calm waters or you’re seeking rest and relaxation, we’ve got you covered with some of our favorites.
Not all beaches listed below have public parking but don’t worry, we have some suggestions on how to access these primarily resident beaches. Or, if you’d rather, you can always visit the Ellen T. Mitchell Bathhouse located at 56 Surf Drive between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. to purchase a beach sticker. Check out pricing along with a list of all of Falmouth’s beaches on our beach guide. All Falmouth beaches are staffed with parking attendants and lifeguards from 8:00-4:00 daily, and all have bathroom facilities and foot showers for comfort and convenience.
Best Falmouth Beach For Calm and Shallow Waters
Stony Beach, 38 Gosnold Road, Woods Hole
Stony Beach is located off the beaten path in Woods Hole and is the perfect place to bring the kids. The parking lot requires a beach sticker so if you have opted not to purchase one for your visit, you can find parking in the center of Woods Hole at their meters or in one of the day parking lots. Get there early, though– before 10 a.m. We suggest dropping off the kids and gear and sending one person back to park the car. The walk back is quick and beautiful and another opportunity to take in the beauty of Falmouth.
The beach itself is small but located on a stunning, protected inlet that is extraordinarily shallow during low tide. There is a rock located about 50 yards offshore that has one deep area where the big kids like to jump. Another bonus for families with young kids, don’t expect to see waves here. In fact, many of the local residents use this beach as a place to do laps for its serene atmosphere and flat water. If sitting at the beach gets boring, there are also tennis courts located nearby, so if you’ve got a racquet and want to play a few rounds and then dip in the ocean, that’s also an option.
Be sure to check out our vacation home rentals that are located in Woods Hole near Stony Beach or even off the Shining Sea Bike Path, such as 159 Penzance Road and 32 F. R. Lillie Road. If you’d rather not take the car at all, it could make for a great day to take the kids for a ride along the bike path into Woods Hole, have some lunch in town, and then spend a few hours at the beach before riding home.
Old Silver Beach
Best Falmouth Beaches For Rest and Relaxation
Old Silver Beach, 296 Quaker Road, North Falmouth
Old Silver Beach is the total package. Complete with a snack shack and slushie stand, be prepared to park and spend the day at this gorgeous beach. Speaking of parking, this beach does offer a pay-to-park lot for $25 for the day but you’ll want to get there early as it fills up quickly in the busy summer months. There’s also a resident lot which you can park at if you have purchased a beach sticker. If you end up arriving later than planned, it’s best to come around 12 or 1 because beachgoers frequently leave to head out for lunch and free up some space in the lots.
Another option is to arrive late in the day, after 5:00 when the parking attendants are gone for the day so that you can secure a spot to enjoy some dinner on the beach and maybe a late-night dip. You could even take up space and play some beach volleyball or a game of catch. If you are looking for a vacation rental nearby, check out 414 Quaker Road or 50 Weston Road, both within biking or walking distance to Old Silver Beach.
Known for its spectacular sunsets (so spectacular that people have been known to clap), warm water, and fun atmosphere, Old Silver Beach is likely one of the most popular beaches amongst Falmouth residents and tourists alike. The sand is soft and depending on which direction the wind is blowing, the waves can be small, or non-existent altogether. There’s not a lot of surfing to be had on Upper Cape beaches because there really aren’t many beaches that see waves big enough, but Old Silver has a great stretch of ocean frontage for wakeboarding. You could also send the kids across the street where there is another small “beach” with tidal pools that are good for critter hunting and shell collecting.
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Falmouth Heights Beach, 261 Grand Avenue, Falmouth
Located in proximity to downtown Falmouth, Falmouth Heights is a great beach to drop your beach chairs, blanket, and cooler. This beach requires a sticker to park in the lot, however there are a few metered spots located across the street. If you are staying at one of our Maravista properties, this beach is easy to bike or walk to, which is a huge plus. We offer a number of vacation rentals in the Falmouth Heights area, including 11 Melrose Avenue and 321 Grand Avenue.
Expect to find both locals and tourists at this beach. During Fourth of July and Falmouth Road Race festivities, this beach will be absolutely packed, but on any other week, you can expect to have some space to spread out and not be on top of other beachgoers. This is a great beach to sit and read a book at, take a short snooze at, or float comfortably in the warm water. If you need a break from the sun, throw on a shirt and shoes and head across the street to the outdoor bar at Shipwrecked where you can quench your thirst and enjoy a snack or meal.
Best Falmouth Beach For Recreational Activities
Menauhant Beach, 663 Menauhant Road, East Falmouth
Just down the end of Central Avenue is Menahaunt Beach (here’s a tip on how to sound like a local, pronounce it, men-aught). This beach has two lots, one for beach stickers and the other for pay-to-park at the rate of $25 per day. If you’re staying at any of our rental properties in East Falmouth, such as 431 Davisville Road or 480 Central Avenue, this beach is close by.
Notorious for its wind, Menauhant is great for flying a kite and kite-boarding. It’s also an awesome spot to enjoy the sand and surf on those sweltering days where other beaches might be lacking a breeze. Because of its wind, there are some waves; the perfect size for teaching the little ones how to body surf. And, with its location on the Vineyard Sound, you’ll still enjoy warm water. Another feature, just across the street is Bourne Pond which feeds into the ocean. At low tide, there are a few islands of sand exposed that are fun to set up beach chairs on and look for critters. The sand is great for building sandcastles and burying your friends!
Woodneck Beach
Best Falmouth Beach For Tidal Pools and Lazy River
Woodneck Beach, 33 Woodneck Road, Sippewissett
Shhh…Woodneck Beach is a little-known treasure to Falmouth residents. If you have children, this is your beach. Known for its natural lazy river and tidal pools that form at low tide, this is a great spot to set up camp for the day and let the kids explore. This beach is also close to Wood Neck Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary which is home to a wealth of local wildlife like the egret, heron, and osprey. Bring some binoculars and you’re likely to spot some fun creatures! If you are hoping to do some kayaking or paddleboarding on your trip, this is a great beach to launch and enjoy the scenic shoreline and hidden coves.
Build a sandcastle, comb the beach for shells and sea glass, or swim in the gentle waters and Woodneck is likely to become your new favorite place to be. Don’t expect there to be a lot of crowds here, this is not a popular beach for tourists. Additionally, Woodneck is a beach-sticker lot only, and the parking lot is small, so if you have a sticker, you will want to get here early. Because of its location, there are no meters close by. However, if you are staying in West Falmouth near Sippewissett, you may be able to walk or bike here. Some or our vacation rental properties near Woodneck Beach include 52 Sippewissett Road and 856 Palmer Avenue.
No Shortage of Great Beaches in Falmouth On the Cape
Whichever beaches you choose to explore in Falmouth, you’re bound to notice that they all are truly amazing. With similar views, warm water, and calm seas, you really can’t go wrong. Try as many as you can until you find your “bread and butter” beach. Maybe it’s the ideal beach because it’s walkable, maybe it has concessions, maybe it’s the fun atmosphere, or maybe its the seclusion. Browse our rental home listings and when you book your next vacation to Falmouth. Our rental team can help you pick a location that is closest to your favorite beach so you’ll have easy access to it! Call us anytime at (508) 548-3415.