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Bourne Beaches

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Visitors Guide to
Bourne MA Beaches

Updated: July 21, 2024

Compared with the number of public beaches in many other Cape Cod towns, Bourne beaches are somewhat few and far between.

But when you're in Bourne and ready to cool off with a dip in saltwater, you'll find several lovely stretches of sandy coastline that are well worth a visit.

People on the beach, colorful beach umbrellas and views of boats in the harbor

Monument Beach

Public Beaches in Bourne MA

Monument Beach (a/k/a "Mo Beach")

Monument Beach

Situated near the western entrance to the Canal, Monument Beach is a fun place to swim, relax in the sun, and watch boats coming and going from the adjacent marina. It's also a popular spot for windsurfing.

The beach is large, has plenty of room, and rarely feels too crowded.

Mo Beach is kind of pebbly/shelly in spots. If your feet are especially sensitive, be sure to bring your flip-flops or beach shoes.

Body of Water: Buzzards Bay

Crowd Factor: Generally not overly crowded

Services: Lifeguards, snack bar, restroom and shower facilities, volleyball net, swim dock. Beach wheelchair available in season. Call (508) 759-0613 for info.

Parking: Large lot. Occasionally fills. Town-issued sticker required.

How to Get There: Off Shore Road and Emmons Road in Bourne, MA

Gray Gables Beach

Gray Gables Beach

In the quaint Bourne village of Gray Gables, this medium-sized beach has a small swimming area and nice views of boats in the anchorage just offshore.

The water at this beach is warm and very calm. At low tide, little "creeklets" form - great for small tykes to splash around in.

Body of Water: Buzzards Bay, just beyond the western end of the Monument River

Crowd Factor: A good amount of room to spread out, but not an especially quiet atmosphere during the busy season.

Services: None.

Parking: Resident sticker required. Free to walk or bike in.

How to Get There: Gilder Road (via Shore Rd. to Monument Neck Rd. to Presidents Rd. to Gilder)

Electric Avenue Beach

Electric Avenue Beach

This small beach in the "downtown" area of Bourne has nice sand and amazingly clear blue water. There's a playground for the kids, bike racks, and plenty of pretty views, too.

Body of Water: Buzzards Bay

Crowd Factor: Not crowded

Services: Lifeguard

Parking: A resident's sticker is required to park here. Beach entry is free for walkers and cyclists.

How to Get There: Route 28 to Lincoln Avenue, then left on Gardenier Avenue

Sagamore Beach

Sagamore Beach

One of several beaches near the eastern entrance to the Canal, Sagamore Beach is on the "mainland" side of the town of Bourne.

Although I personally prefer Scusset for all the amenities it offers (see below), Sagamore Beach is a fine place to spend time, too!

Body of Water: Cape Cod Bay

Crowd Factor: Usually not an issue

Services: Lifeguards and porta-potties

Parking: Resident sticker required. Walk or bicycle in at no charge.

How to Get There: Off Phillips Road in Sagamore Beach

Scusset Beach

Scusset Beach

This state-run beach is part of the Scusset Beach State Reservation - a large, seaside state park on the "mainland" side of the Cape Cod Canal.

Scusset is a long, pretty beach that begins near the eastern entrance to the Canal and seems to go on for as far as the eye can see. The sand is soft, and the wave action is normally calm to moderate.

This is a fantastic place for beachcombing, yacht-spotting, and surf fishing. In the summer, look for bluefish - and maybe a whale or two - breaking the surface just off shore.

Body of Water: Cape Cod Bay

Crowd Factor: Plenty of room, so rarely feels crowded

Services: Lifeguards, restrooms and shower area, snack bar, playground for the kids, RV camping. Beach wheelchairs available in season. Call (508) 866-2580 to reserve.

Parking: Large lot. Daily parking fee or Massachusetts State Park pass is required in season. Town-issued beach stickers are not valid here.

You can also park for free at one of these recreation areas on the mainland side of the Cape Cod Canal, then walk or ride your bicycle to Scusset Beach:

Buzzards Bay Park Recreation Area, 90 Main Street, Buzzards Bay
Herring Run Recreation Area, 810 Scenic Highway, Bourne
Sagamore Recreation Area, 404a Canal Service Road, Sagamore Beach

*Read about: Scusset Beach parking fees/passes.

Directions to Scusset Beach: Exit 1 off Rt. 3 to Scusset Beach Road in Sagamore, MA

*Please note: The northern tip of the town of Sandwich is on the mainland side of the Canal. That's where you'll find Scusset Beach. However, the Scusset Beach State Reservation website lists the address as Sagamore - a village in the town of Bourne.

To cover all bases, I've included Scusset Beach both here and on my page about Sandwich beaches. :-)

Parking Fees & Passes
at Town-Owned Beaches in Bourne

At all town-owned beaches in Bourne, a town-issued parking permit is required.

*Read about: Town of Bourne parking stickers.

*Good to Know*

Parking permits are required at town-owned Bourne beaches all year round.

You'll risk getting hit with a stiff fine if you're caught parking without a sticker. (And yes, they do ticket illegally parked vehicles in the off-season, too.) Ouch!!

*See: My comprehensive guide to 40+ beaches on Cape Cod offering sand and surf chairs for visitors to use.

All About the Town of Bourne MA

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Visitors Guide to
Bourne MA Beaches