79°
Rain Showers
81%
38
Barnstable County, MA · Atlantic Ocean
West Dennis Beach
139 Lighthouse Road, West Dennis, MA 02670
A mile and a half of south-facing sand on Nantucket Sound, separated from a salt marsh by a long parking lot that holds over a thousand cars. Steady afternoon southwesterlies and warm-ish water make it a favorite for windsurfers and kiteboarders.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
81% rain · NWS alert active · 79°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Rain showers and areas of smoke. Cloudy, with a high near 79. Southwest wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight
Rain showers likely and areas of smoke before 8pm, then areas of smoke and showers and thunderstorms likely between 8pm and 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1am and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2am and 4am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 4am and 5am. Cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind 13 to 17 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
- 79°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
24 /100
skip
20 Swim
21 Sunbathe
31 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.
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
79°F
Light Rain
Wind
16 mph
SW
Rain
81%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
5 Moderate
Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~40m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 02 PM
Tomorrow
84°F
Mostly Sunny
Water
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
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:21 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
84°
Mostly Sunny
10%
82
83°
Sunny
0%
85
84°
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
30%
70
82°
Showers And Thunderstorms
87%
5
80°
Chance Rain Showers
54%
56
79°
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
27%
76
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
Daily (cash only): $25 weekday, $30 weekend/holiday; weekly sticker $90. Required Saturday of Memorial Day weekend – Labor Day.
Dogs
No animals on the beach, in parking areas, or in unattended vehicles from Friday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Allowed off-season; never during active piping plover nesting.
Entry Fee
$25 weekday / $30 weekend daily parking
Address
139 Lighthouse Road, West Dennis, MA 02670
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at West Dennis Beach today?
West Dennis 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 West Dennis Beach dog-friendly?
No animals on the beach, in parking areas, or in unattended vehicles from Friday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Allowed off-season; never during active piping plover nesting.
Is there an entry fee at West Dennis Beach?
$25 weekday / $30 weekend daily parking
Are there lifeguards at West Dennis Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol West Dennis Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at West Dennis Beach?
Amenities at West Dennis Beach include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, snack bar, kayak access.
When is the water warmest at West Dennis 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 West Dennis Beach located?
West Dennis Beach is in Barnstable County, MA, at 139 Lighthouse Road, West Dennis, MA 02670.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS