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All-in-One Guide to
Harwich MA Beaches

Updated: July 21, 2024

A number of fine Harwich beaches line the town's Nantucket Sound shoreline. 

Man sitting in lounge chair, reading a book, in a secluded spot on a sandy beachQuiet Time at a Harwich Beach

Turn to the south off Route 28, make your way toward the water, and you'll quickly discover Harwich's scenic and inviting coast.

The Best Beaches in Harwich MA

*Please Note: The amenities mentioned below are available in-season only.

Red River Beach

People in swimsuits, sunning and walking on a wide beach, enjoying a sunny dayRed River Beach

This is one of the best Harwich beaches to visit if you're looking for room to spread your beach blanket out, away from other people.

Red River is a big, wide, long beach with very powdery sand. It's a nice beach for families, with plenty of room for the kids to play and gentle waters to splash around in.

  • Body of Water: Nantucket Sound

  • Crowd Factor: Not overly crowded

  • Amenities: Lifeguard, mobile food vendor, accessible restroom facilities, beach wheelchair 

  • Location: At the end of Uncle Venie's Lane in East Harwich (*FYI - Other streets will get you to Red River Beach. I recommend using Uncle Venie's. It's the easiest way to get here.)

  • Parking: Daily fee or sticker required.


Bank Street Beach

Footprints in the sand near an oasis of seagrass and a small pine tree, blue sky over a calm oceanBank Street Beach

Bank Street is a very popular town beach for all ages. It's a little smaller than Red River Beach, but still plenty large enough to comfortably accommodate the many visitors and locals that flock here during the height of summer vacation season.

Like many other Harwich beaches, Bank Street has wonderfully soft sand and panoramic views of Nantucket Sound.

  • Body of Water: Nantucket Sound

  • Crowd Factor: Moderately to very crowded.

  • Amenities: Lifeguards, mobile concessions, accessible restroom facilities, beach wheelchair

  • Location: Off Bank Street in Harwichport

  • Parking: Sticker required


Earle Road Beach

A few beachgoers sitting in their lounge chairs, looking out toward the ocean, small waves rolling in on the shorelineEarle Road Beach

Earle Road is a medium-sized beach, with rock jetties and gently breaking waves.

It's a little more quiet than some other Harwich beaches. Perhaps a little too quiet for families with teens who're looking for lots of activity.

Nonetheless, Earle Road is a wonderful little beach for anyone looking for some serenity on a hot summer day.

  • Body of Water: Nantucket Sound

  • Crowd Factor: Not usually crowded

  • Amenities: Lifeguard, mobile concessions, accessible restroom facilities, beach wheelchair

  • Location: Earle Road in Harwich

  • Parking: Daily fee or sticker required.


Pleasant Road Beach

Puffy clouds in a blue sky over a dark blue ocean, wooden lifeguard stations on the beach, beachgoers in the distancePleasant Road Beach

Pleasant Road is a relatively large beach, as far as Harwich beaches go.

It's great for families, because it has most of the amenities you need when you have kids in tow. And it's also a nice place for adults to enjoy a swim or walk along the shoreline taking in the scenery.

  • Body of Water: Nantucket Sound

  • Crowd Factor: Busy, but not usually overly crowded.

  • Amenities: Lifeguard, mobile concession, accessible restroom facilities, beach wheelchair

  • Location: Off Pleasant Road in East Harwich

  • Parking: Daily fee or sticker required.


Atlantic Avenue Beach

Wooden stairway leading to a narrow beach, bright blue sky with a few billowy white clouds, calm blue oceanAtlantic Avenue Beach

Atlantic Avenue is like many Nantucket Sound beaches. The water's warm in summer, the waves are gentle, and there's a lovely view out over the Sound.

A couple things are important to know if you're going to Atlantic Avenue Beach:

First, it's set between two privately owned beaches. Be sure to stay within the boundaries of the rock jetties so you don't risk roaming onto private property.

Second, there's a steep stairway leading down to the beach. If stairs are an issue for you, you'll want to choose a different beach.

  • Body of Water: Nantucket Sound

  • Crowd Factor: Normally not too crowded.

  • Amenities: None

  • Location: Off Ocean Avenue in Harwich

  • Parking: Very limited parking. Sticker required.

Harwich MA Beach Parking Fees & Stickers

From mid-June to Labor Day, a town-issued sticker or a daily fee is required for parking at all Harwich beaches during normal beach hours.

No entrance fee is charged if you walk or bike to the beach.

*See: Harwich Recreation Department's webpage for beach parking sticker/daily fee information.



Accessibility at Harwich Beaches

To make it easier for everyone to have equal access to its beautiful shoreline, the Town of Harwich has outfitted 4 of its beaches with (free) sand and surf beach wheelchairs.

You can read more about accessibility at the beaches in Harwich and other towns on the Cape on these pages: 


Related Pages:

Vacationing in Harwich

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