The 2012 Cape Cod Beach Review – Falmouth
Falmouth is surrounded on three sides by water. With its many outlets and bays, we boast of over 68 miles of beaches – more than any other town on Cape Cod. We also like bragging about having the warmest water on Cape Cod. With easy access to water, Falmouth has always been an ideal location for maritime trade including fishing, whaling and shipbuilding. Many sea captains called Falmouth home and at one time nearly half of the 300 households in Falmouth were homes of sea captains and those who made their living on the water. The man who built the Palmer House in 1901, Joseph Fish, owned whaling ships.
When you arrive at our Cape Cod B&B you will see our welcoming baskets of brightly colored beach towels on the porch for our guests to take with them to the beach.
The Falmouth, Cape Cod Beach Committee manages ten beaches. They are listed below in alphabetical order.
All of the beaches below have Falmouth lifeguards, Changing facilities, and restrooms except for The Knob Beach.
Bristol Beach
This Cape Cod beach is located in “Falmouth Heights”. It has plenty of parking and beautiful views. A small creek, which ebbs and flows between Little Pond and Vineyard Sound, is a great place for youngsters to attempt to catch sea creatures caught in the tidal surge. An ice cream truck visits this beach and there are portable restrooms. Beach stickers are required.
Chapaquit Beach
This location is a favorite of many families. White sand and beautiful open ocean views greet beachgoers. Windsurfers are welcome on the north end of the beach. Beach stickers are required.
Grew’s Pond Beach
Located in Goodwill Park off Gifford Street, this is a fresh water pond beach, and staffed by lifeguards. Grew’s Pond has a sandy beach. Grills and picnic benches are available, as well as a covered pavilion shelter. An ice cream truck visits this beach and there are portable rest rooms. No sticker is required.
Heights Beach
The beach at Falmouth Heights on Vineyard Sound is long and has plenty of beautiful sand. The water is warm and views of Martha’s Vineyard are outstanding. Because of a high sea wall, handicapped accessibility from the wall to the beach is limited. Restaurants are close to this beach and there are portable rest rooms. A beach sticker is required, however, parking is limited. It is best to arrive early.
Megansett Beach
This beach is located along the shores of Buzzards Bay. It is frequented primarily by neighborhood families. Megansett is a great location for viewing a sunset. This beach has portable rest rooms and is visited by an ice cream truck. A beach sticker is required and parking is limited.
Menauhant Beach
Located on Vineyard Sound, and it is divided into an east side and a west side by a tidal stream that connects Bournes Pond to Vineyard Sound. An ice cream truck visits this beach and there are portable rest rooms. Stickers are available or a one-day fee of $10. The fee can be paid to the gate attendant.
Old Silver Beach
This beach is by far the most popular beach in Falmouth and arguably, the most popular beach on Cape Cod. The parking lots are divided into two sections: one for residence and one for the public, which is accessed by paying a daily entry fee of $20. Concessions, showers and changing rooms are available. People come from great distances to enjoy Old Silver’s pure white sand. Parking is ample, but come early; the lots fill up fast.
Stoney Beach
Located in Woods Hole Village, this MBL-owned beach is staffed by Falmouth lifeguards and parking attendants. It is a wonderful beach, sheltered from the afternoon southwest winds and highly utilized, so arrive early. An ice cream truck visits this beach and there are portable rest rooms. A Falmouth beach sticker or MBL sticker is required to use the limited parking area.
Surf Drive Beach
Located on Surf Drive, a short walk from the Palmer House Inn, this beach features public showers, a concession stand and is host to the Ellen T. Mitchell Bathhouse, where residents and visitors may purchase Falmouth beach parking stickers. Surf Drive Beach faces Martha’s Vineyard and is on Vineyard Sound. A one-day parking fee of $10. can be paid at the gate.
Wood Neck Beach
This beach is blessed with a tidal creek containing pure sand and many ”critters,” a popular combination for active youngsters. Wood neck beach is visited by an ice cream truck and has portable toilets. Beach stickers are required.
The Knob Beach
This beach does not have lifeguards, changing facilities, or restrooms but it is one of the most romantic, secluded locations on Cape Cod. It has been the site of many marriage proposals. If you wish to see a magnificent Cape Cod sunset, The Knob is the place to go. This off-the-beaten-path beach, is located in Sippewissett, and can be difficult to find, so be sure to ask Pat or Bill for directions.
See more on our YouTube Channel – Palmer House Inn’s Sights of Cape Cod: The Knob Beach