Mayflower Beach

Bay View Road, Dennis, MA 02638

The bayside Dennis beach famous for its tidal flats — at low tide the sand stretches a half mile out, leaving warm pools that families wade through for hours. It is also one of the Cape's best sunset spots, with the bay opening west toward Plymouth.

Skip the beach today.

81% rain · NWS alert active · 78°F air

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Rain showers likely and patchy smoke before 5pm, then areas of smoke and showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 78. South wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 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 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1am and 5am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind 15 to 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Weather

  • 78°F air — ideal beach weather
  • 81% rain — wet day — beach day is off
  • 18 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything

Water

  • 74°F water — swimmable, refreshing

Safety

  • NWS alert active — rip current statement issued july 18 at 12:40pm edt until july 19 at 8:00pm edt by nws boston/norton ma
skip
16 Swim
15 Sunbathe
29 Walk
58 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.

NOAA station 8447435 · Observed 5.94 ft · Predicted 5.05 ft

Rip Currents Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued July 18 at 12:40PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Boston/Norton MA

NWS · In effect through Jul 20, 12:00 AM

Full NWS statement

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected. * WHERE...Washington, Southern Bristol MA, Barnstable MA, Dukes MA, Nantucket MA, and Newport RI Counties. * WHEN...From Sunday morning through Sunday evening. * IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

Weather alert in effect

Air Quality Alert issued July 17 at 6:08PM EDT by NWS Boston/Norton MA

Air Temp
78°F
Light Rain
Wind
18 mph
S
Rain
81%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
5 Moderate
Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~40m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 02 PM
Tomorrow
81°F
Mostly Sunny
Water Temp
74°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
10:38 PM
-0.1 ft · in 1.5h
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 (ANZ231)

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

NWS SRF · BOX · Issued Jul 18, 8:11 PM

Sunrise
5:21 AM
Sunset
8:12 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
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

High/low predictions from NOAA station 8447435, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

Today Jul 18
78°

Areas Of Smoke

81%
34
Sun Jul 19
81°

Mostly Sunny

9%
81
Mon Jul 20
81°

Sunny

0%
85
Tue Jul 21
81°

Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

30%
71
Wed Jul 22
76°

Showers And Thunderstorms

87%
1
Thu Jul 23
73°

Chance Rain Showers

53%
54
Fri Jul 24
72°

Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

25%
73
  • optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 74°F

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

Parking

Daily $35 (credit card) at the public lot, 8 AM – 5 PM Memorial Day weekend – Labor Day.

Dogs

No dogs on Dennis beaches, in parking areas, or in unattended vehicles from Friday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Off-season only.

Entry Fee

$35 daily parking

Address

Bay View Road, Dennis, MA 02638

lifeguardsrestroomsshowerssnack barboardwalk
Is it safe to swim at Mayflower Beach today?

Mayflower 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 Mayflower Beach dog-friendly?

No dogs on Dennis beaches, in parking areas, or in unattended vehicles from Friday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Off-season only.

Is there an entry fee at Mayflower Beach?

$35 daily parking

Are there lifeguards at Mayflower Beach?

Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Mayflower Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.

What amenities are at Mayflower Beach?

Amenities at Mayflower Beach include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, snack bar, boardwalk.

When is the water warmest at Mayflower 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 Mayflower Beach located?

Mayflower Beach is in Barnstable County, MA, at Bay View Road, Dennis, MA 02638.

Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS

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