Barnstable County, MA · Atlantic Ocean

Race Point Beach

The tip of Cape Cod — where the Atlantic and Cape Cod Bay meet. Whale watching from shore is realistic (humpbacks feed within a few hundred yards in summer), and the sunsets face west across the bay rather than out to sea. Off-road-vehicle permit beach for surf casting.

Today's Conditions

Skip the beach today.

72% rain · NWS alert active · 74°F air

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Rain showers likely and areas of smoke before 5pm, then areas of smoke and showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. South wind around 21 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight

Areas of smoke and showers and thunderstorms likely before 7pm, then areas of smoke and a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 8pm, then smoke and a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 9pm, then areas of smoke and showers and thunderstorms likely between 9pm and 4am. Cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind 15 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Weather

74°F air — ideal beach weather
72% rain — wet day — beach day is off
21 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything

Water

68°F water — swimmable, refreshing

Safety

NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued july 18 at 12:41pm edt until july 19 at 12:00pm edt by nws boston/norton ma

27 /100

skip

9 Swim

12 Sunbathe

30 Walk

33 Fish

56 Photo

Best for photography today

Water level 0.6 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 8447930 · Observed 1.46 ft · Predicted 0.81 ft

Small Craft Small Craft Advisory

Small Craft Advisory issued July 18 at 12:41PM EDT until July 19 at 12:00PM EDT by NWS Boston/Norton MA

NWS · In effect through Jul 19, 4:00 PM

Full NWS statement

* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 3 to 5 feet. * WHERE...Portions of Massachusetts coastal waters and Rhode Island coastal waters. * WHEN...Until noon EDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

74°F

Light Rain

Wind

21 mph

Rain

72%

This Afternoon

UV Peak

5 Moderate

Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~40m

Burn-free before 09 AM & after 03 PM

Tomorrow

74°F

Sunny

Water

Water Temp

68°F

Refreshing

Wave Height

2.0 ft

ESE swell

Barometer

29.80 inHg

1009 hPa

Water Quality

Clean

31 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus

USGS · sampled 10mo ago

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

5:20 AM

Sunset

8:13 PM

Moon · 18%

Waxing Crescent

Neap tides — smaller range

Tides

Time	Type	Height
7:16 AM	Low	0.0 ft
12:00 PM	High	2.2 ft
7:43 PM	Low	0.3 ft

Time	Type	Height
12:25 AM	High	2.1 ft
8:05 AM	Low	0.2 ft
12:54 PM	High	2.2 ft
8:52 PM	Low	0.4 ft

Time	Type	Height
1:15 AM	High	1.8 ft
8:53 AM	Low	0.4 ft
1:47 PM	High	2.1 ft
10:05 PM	Low	0.5 ft

Time	Type	Height
2:04 AM	High	1.5 ft
9:40 AM	Low	0.6 ft
2:38 PM	High	2.1 ft
11:15 PM	Low	0.5 ft

Time	Type	Height
2:52 AM	High	1.3 ft
10:30 AM	Low	0.7 ft
3:32 PM	High	2.0 ft

Time	Type	Height
12:15 AM	Low	0.5 ft
3:45 AM	High	1.2 ft
10:05 AM	Low	0.8 ft
4:33 PM	High	2.0 ft

Time	Type	Height
1:10 AM	Low	0.6 ft
4:43 AM	High	1.2 ft
10:37 AM	Low	0.8 ft
5:32 PM	High	2.0 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 8447930, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Jul 18

74°

Areas Of Smoke

72%

Sun Jul 19

74°

Sunny

Mon Jul 20

74°

Sunny

Tue Jul 21

74°

Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

28%

Wed Jul 22

76°

Showers And Thunderstorms

86%

Thu Jul 23

74°

Chance Rain Showers

49%

Fri Jul 24

73°

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

23%

What to Bring Today

recommended Beach shelter or anchored canopy 21 mph wind — umbrellas will flip
recommended Wetsuit or expect a chill Water is 68°F
recommended Rain cover + dry bag 72% 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

9:50 AM - 10:50 AM

Major

3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Beach Info

Parking

Cape Cod National Seashore lot. ORV access requires a separate permit.

Dogs

Dogs prohibited during piping plover nesting season. Leashed in shoulder season.

Entry Fee

Cape Cod National Seashore pass: $25/7-day or $60/annual.

Address

Race Point Rd, Provincetown, MA 02657

Amenities

lifeguardsrestroomsshowerssnack barORV access (permit)

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Race Point Beach today?

Race Point 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 Race Point Beach dog-friendly?

Dogs prohibited during piping plover nesting season. Leashed in shoulder season.

Is there an entry fee at Race Point Beach?

Cape Cod National Seashore pass: $25/7-day or $60/annual.

Are there lifeguards at Race Point Beach?

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

What amenities are at Race Point Beach?

Amenities at Race Point Beach include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, snack bar, ORV access (permit).

When is the water warmest at Race Point 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 Race Point Beach located?

Race Point Beach is in Barnstable County, MA, at Race Point Rd, Provincetown, MA 02657.