76°
Rain Showers
81%
35
Barnstable County, MA · Atlantic Ocean
Nauset Beach
250 Beach Rd, East Orleans, MA 02643
A 10-mile barrier beach on Cape Cod's outer arm, managed by the town of Orleans. Big Atlantic surf, white-shark advisories taken seriously, and a snack bar with a cult-favorite onion ring. Off-road-vehicle access on the lower beach (permit required).
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
81% rain · NWS alert active · 74°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Rain showers and areas of smoke. Cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind around 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tonight
Rain showers likely and areas of smoke 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 4am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 4am and 5am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Weather
- 76°F air — ideal beach weather
- 81% rain — wet day — beach day is off
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
21 /100
skip
17 Swim
17 Sunbathe
29 Walk
35 Fish
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.
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
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
Atmosphere
Air Temp
76°F
Mostly Clear
Wind
17 mph
S
Rain
81%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
5 Moderate
Peaks 11 AM · burn in ~40m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 03 PM
Tomorrow
76°F
Mostly 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
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°
Mostly Sunny
11%
79
76°
Sunny
0%
84
77°
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
26%
72
80°
Showers And Thunderstorms
87%
4
77°
Rain Showers Likely
55%
55
77°
Chance Rain Showers
29%
70
What to Bring Today
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 17 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).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Minor
9:50 PM - 10:50 PM
Major
3:10 AM - 5:10 AM
Minor
9:40 AM - 10:40 AM
Major
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Paid town lot — daily hangtag $32.50 (2026), weekly $165. Fills by mid-morning.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on the main public beach April 1 – Labor Day. Off-leash (voice-controlled) day after Labor Day – March 31. Leashed dogs allowed year-round on the ORV section south of Trail #1 (max 30-ft leash).
Entry Fee
Daily hangtag $32.50; weekly $165.
Address
250 Beach Rd, East Orleans, MA 02643
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Nauset Beach today?
Nauset 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 Nauset Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on the main public beach April 1 – Labor Day. Off-leash (voice-controlled) day after Labor Day – March 31. Leashed dogs allowed year-round on the ORV section south of Trail #1 (max 30-ft leash).
Is there an entry fee at Nauset Beach?
Daily hangtag $32.50; weekly $165.
Are there lifeguards at Nauset Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Nauset Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Nauset Beach?
Amenities at Nauset Beach include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, snack bar, ORV access (permit).
When is the water warmest at Nauset 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 Nauset Beach located?
Nauset Beach is in Barnstable County, MA, at 250 Beach Rd, East Orleans, MA 02643.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS