Lighthouse Beach

Main Street at Bridge Street, Chatham, MA 02633

The dramatic, ever-shifting beach below Chatham Light, where breaks in the offshore barrier let the Atlantic roll right in. Stunning to walk and photograph, with seals usually visible offshore — but rip currents and sandbars make it a swim-at-your-own-risk beach.

Great day for a beach walk.

Cool but workable

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Sunny, with a high near 68. South wind around 8 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Southwest wind around 8 mph.

Weather

  • 68°F air — cool but workable
  • Sunny skies — clear conditions

Water

  • 61°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
73 /100
great
52 Swim
69 Sunbathe
80 Walk
80 Photo

Best for walking today

Air Temp
68°F
Clear
Wind
8 mph
S
Rain
1%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–02 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
70°F
Sunny
Water Temp
61°F
Cold
Barometer
30.14 inHg
1021 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
20 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 9mo ago
Sunrise
5:07 AM
Sunset
8:09 PM
Moon · 87%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
7-day chart →
Time Type Height
2:22 AM High 5.4 ft
9:32 AM Low -0.1 ft
3:15 PM High 4.2 ft
9:15 PM Low 0.5 ft
Today Jun 3
68°

Sunny

1%
67
Thu Jun 4
70°

Sunny

1%
67
Fri Jun 5
70°

Mostly Sunny

0%
67
Sat Jun 6
74°

Mostly Sunny

3%
75
Sun Jun 7
69°

Rain Showers Likely

66%
43
Mon Jun 8
62°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

34%
21
Tue Jun 9
63°

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

15%
59
  • critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Parking

Limited 30-minute spots at the overlook; broader access via Eldredge lot (365 Main St) with shuttle, or street parking with a Chatham permit.

Dogs

Seasonal pet ban on town beaches May 1 – September 15. Leashed otherwise.

Entry Fee

Free

Address

Main Street at Bridge Street, Chatham, MA 02633

restrooms
Is Lighthouse Beach dog-friendly?

Seasonal pet ban on town beaches May 1 – September 15. Leashed otherwise.

Is there an entry fee at Lighthouse Beach?

Entry to Lighthouse Beach is free.

Are there lifeguards at Lighthouse Beach?

No lifeguards are stationed at Lighthouse Beach. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.

What amenities are at Lighthouse Beach?

Amenities at Lighthouse Beach include restrooms.

When is the water warmest at Lighthouse Beach?

Atlantic water temperatures peak in August. Northern beaches (ME, NH, MA) run cool — typically 60-68°F at the summer peak. Mid-Atlantic (NJ, DE, MD, VA) hits 74-76°F. The Carolinas and Florida Atlantic warm into the 80s and stay swimmable from May through October.

Where is Lighthouse Beach located?

Lighthouse Beach is in Barnstable County, MA, at Main Street at Bridge Street, Chatham, MA 02633.

Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS

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