Surfing, Fishing, Whale Watching and Hostels in Cape Cod

Enjoy the American Beaches of Cape Cod this Summer

While many people think of Miami or California when thinking of beaches in the US, many traveler’s don’t know what many East Coast Americans know to be a northern jewel, their beloved beaches in the New England part of Massachusetts – Cape Cod! Many of you are familiar with Boston and know it’s a fantastic American historical city from the Colonial times, but Cape Cod is a peninsula only 80km from Boston with a variety of beaches: warm waters, some with waves for surfing, some with calm clear waters, and some great for fishing or whale watching! Don’t be afraid that it’s cold, cause in the summer months, the average temperatures are about 26 degrees Celsius (nearly 80 degrees Farenheit), which is perfect beach weather without the crazy humidity of the South.

HOW TO REACH CAPE COD

There are three economical and convenient ways to get to the Cape. One of the ways to get to the Upper Cape in 90 minutes is to take the Provincetown Fast Ferry which leaves from Boston everyday at 9am and returns from Provincetown at 4pm. This costs about US$49 one way. You could also rent a car and enjoy the scenic views of the coastline from Boston. Finally, there is the bus which has regular service from Boston’s Logan airport or from downtown Boston and takes you through many of the popular stops throughout the Cape.

AREAS OF CAPE COD

Cape Cod is a 65-mile-long peninsula linked to the mainland by two bridges, the Sagamore Bridge and the Bourne Bridge, which span the Cape Cod Canal. Surrounded by water of all four sides, Cape Cod has miles of magnificent coastal scenery and pristine beaches, along with more than 365 freshwater lakes and kettle ponds.

Upper Cape

This is the part closest to the mainland (not at the tip like you would expect) and also the most-used ferry connection to Martha’s Vineyard. There are many great things to do on the Upper Cape from fishing in the Cape Cod Canal to antiquing to dining out at some great Cape Cod traditional spots. There is parking all along the canal where you can fish right off the banks. There is also Route 6A in Sandwich, which has many antique shops that would take you an entire day to make it from one end to the other. In Falmouth, take advantage of the warm water beach at Old Silver Beach or Falmouth Heights Beach which are both open to the public. Attaquin Park is the place to go for freshwater swimming and boating. It is located on Mashpee-Wakeby Pond the largest freshwater body on Cape Cod.

Martha’s Vineyard

Martha’s Vineyard is an island right off of this Upper Cape area with a wonderful mix of architectural styles and varied landscapes, but don’t expect vineyards as it’s ironically more dry land and rural (including sheep farms!), but the calm ambiance is what people come for. There is Menemsha Public Beach next to the Menemsha Harbor with clear calm waters or Katama Beach which is located on the South Shore. Here you can choose between heavy surf on one side and a protected saltwater-pond on the other.

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Mid Cape

The northern half of the Mid-Cape, where 17th-, 18th- and 19th-century houses are quietly interspersed with antique shops, art galleries and restaurants. The Mid-Cape area features many beautiful beaches, including warm-water beaches along Nantucket Sound, i.e. Kalmus Beach in Hyannis. Kalmus Beach is located on Hyannis Harbor which is a favorite among Cape Cod windsurfers, while Sea Gull Beach is by far the most popular beach in Yarmouth, especially with the younger crowd. There's plenty of parking, a boardwalk and plenty of beach sports being played if the mood strikes you. Both beaches have picnic areas so you can bring your meals to stay within budget! Take advantage of the fantastic whale watching tours in Hyannis as well!

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Lower/Outer Cape

This is actually the northernmost part of the peninsula where you can enjoy nature like their wooded areas or their sandy beaches where you can rent kayaks at Rock Harbor on Cape Cod Bay, for example. This area includes the Cape Cod National Seashore, a national park comprising much of the outer Cape, including the entire east-facing coast, and is home to some of the most popular beaches in America, such as Coast Guard Beach and Nauset Light Beach in Eastham. Both Truro and Eastham boast miles of biking and hiking trails; long, sandy beaches; acclaimed restaurants and historic sites.

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Nantucket

The mood on Nantucket is very different from the hustle and bustle of the mainland. Here, 30 miles out to sea, peace pervades the atmosphere and the architecture retains its dignity. Striking blue hydrangeas accent the weathered-shingle cottages. Trellises overgrown with roses conceal passageways to pretty gardens. Nantucket’s long-gone whaling fleet was responsible for lighting most of the world’s oil lamps and by the early part of the 19th century, the island had reached the height of its prosperity and renown as the center of the world’s whaling fishery. They obviously have whale watching and fishing tours here but you can also take up wind surfing on these windy waters at Surfside Beach. For true surfers, go to Tom Never, Siasconset, or Miacomet Beach.

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