77°
Areas Of Smoke
81%
38
Barnstable County, MA · Atlantic Ocean
Marconi Beach
Marconi Beach Rd, Wellfleet, MA 02667
A Cape Cod National Seashore beach in Wellfleet — named for Guglielmo Marconi, who sent the first transatlantic wireless message from this exact bluff in 1903. Towering 60-foot dunes, dramatic open-ocean surf, fewer crowds than Nauset.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
81% rain · NWS alert active · 74°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Rain showers likely and areas of smoke before 5pm, then areas of smoke and showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight
Areas of smoke and showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then areas of smoke and a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 9pm, then areas of smoke and showers and thunderstorms likely between 9pm and 10pm, then patchy smoke and showers and thunderstorms likely between 10pm and 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1am and 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Weather
- 77°F air — ideal beach weather
- 81% rain — wet day — beach day is off
Water
- 74°F water — swimmable, refreshing
Safety
- NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued july 18 at 12:41pm edt until july 19 at 8:00pm edt by nws boston/norton ma
23 /100
skip
19 Swim
20 Sunbathe
30 Walk
60 Photo
Best for photography today
Water level 0.9 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Small Craft Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued July 18 at 12:41PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Boston/Norton MA
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 4 to 6 feet. * WHERE...In Massachusetts coastal waters, Coastal waters from Provincetown MA to Chatham MA to Nantucket MA out 20 NM and Coastal Waters extending out to 25 NM South of Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket. In Rhode Island coastal waters, Coastal Waters from Montauk NY to Marthas Vineyard extending out to 20 NM South of Block Island. * WHEN...Until 8 PM EDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
77°F
Mostly Clear
Wind
16 mph
S
Rain
81%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
4 Moderate
Peaks 11 AM · burn in ~50m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 02 PM
Tomorrow
76°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
74°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
10:38 PM
-0.1 ft · in 1.6h
Wave Height
2.3 ft
S swell
Barometer
29.85 inHg
1011 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
20 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 10mo ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (ANZ254)
The BOX office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- MAZ022 Barnstable MA — Chatham, Eastham, and Provincetown n/a
- MAZ024 Nantucket MA — Nantucket n/a
- MAZ023 Dukes MA — Edgartown and Aquinnah n/a
- MAZ020 Southern Bristol MA — Westport, Dartmouth, and New Bedford n/a
- RIZ007 Newport RI — Newport, Middletown, and Little Compton n/a
- RIZ006 Washington RI — Narragansett, Charlestown, and Westerly n/a
- RIZ008 Block Island RI — Block Island n/a
- MAZ019 Eastern Plymouth MA — Cohasset, Duxbury, Hingham, Kingston, n/a
- MAZ015 Suffolk MA-Eastern Norfolk MA — Boston, Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop, n/a
- MAZ007 Eastern Essex MA — Beverly, Gloucester, and Newburyport n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:20 AM
Sunset
8:11 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:29 AM | High | 5.9 ft |
| 10:22 AM | Low | -0.5 ft |
| 4:07 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 10:38 PM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:24 AM | High | 5.5 ft |
| 11:08 AM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 4:59 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 11:33 PM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:20 AM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 11:55 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 5:52 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:30 AM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 6:18 AM | High | 4.7 ft |
| 12:42 PM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 6:45 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:29 AM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 7:18 AM | High | 4.4 ft |
| 1:32 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 7:39 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:27 AM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 8:16 AM | High | 4.1 ft |
| 2:22 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 8:32 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:23 AM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 9:13 AM | High | 4.0 ft |
| 3:12 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 9:24 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8447435, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
76°
Sunny
10%
81
76°
Sunny
0%
85
76°
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
26%
72
78°
Showers And Thunderstorms
87%
4
75°
Chance Rain Showers
54%
55
74°
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
26%
75
What to Bring Today
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 16 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 74°F
- recommended Rain cover + dry bag 81% chance of rain
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
NPS lot at the bluff — fills mid-day in peak summer.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on protected sections during piping plover season. Leashed access otherwise.
Entry Fee
Cape Cod National Seashore pass: $25/7-day or $60/annual.
Address
Marconi Beach Rd, Wellfleet, MA 02667
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Marconi Beach today?
Marconi Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Marconi Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on protected sections during piping plover season. Leashed access otherwise.
Is there an entry fee at Marconi Beach?
Cape Cod National Seashore pass: $25/7-day or $60/annual.
Are there lifeguards at Marconi Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Marconi Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Marconi Beach?
Amenities at Marconi Beach include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, overlook.
When is the water warmest at Marconi 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 Marconi Beach located?
Marconi Beach is in Barnstable County, MA, at Marconi Beach Rd, Wellfleet, MA 02667.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS