Sound Side
Dowses Beach
Osterville, Barnstable, MA
Plover closureAccessible
(277)
FamiliesFishingKayakingcalm water
Calm waterLifeguardsSunsets
1 / 5
Sound SideSticker / Day FeeBest in August
Bank Street Beach
Harwich, Massachusetts · Nantucket Sound
4.8(11 reviews)
Walk-to-Main-Street sound beach
A Nantucket Sound beach close to shopping and amenities in Harwich Port. Ideal for paddleboarding, swimming, and kayaking. Slightly warmer water than the Atlantic-facing beaches.
Bank Street Beach is Harwich Port's walk-to-from-Main-Street beach, which is exactly its charm. You can stroll from the village ice cream shop, the bookstore, or a coffee at Cape Sea Grille down Bank Street and arrive at warm Nantucket Sound water in under ten minutes. The beach itself is a modest crescent of soft sand with calm, paddleboard-friendly surf and a wider-than-expected expanse at low tide. Lifeguards work the central swim area in summer and there's a small bathhouse with restrooms. Because it's close to everything, Bank Street gets busy by 11 a.m. on July weekends — arrive early for a sticker spot or come for the long, golden-hour swim after the day-trippers leave. Pair with a Harwich Port bookstore browse, an ice cream at Sundae School, and dinner at Ember Pizza & Whiskey. Quintessential summer-village beach day.
Photo spot
The view back up Bank Street from the dune entrance — classic Harwich Port summer.
Arrive
before_10amCrowds
HighDogs
SeasonalLifeguards
On dutySunsets
Great spotBest for
FamiliesKayaking
The beach
Lay of the land
- Orientation
- South-facing
- Length
- ~0.3 mi
- Backshore
- Dune / flat
- Sand
- fine_soft
- Shade
- Open — no natural shade
Wildlife
Plan your visit
Parking & fees
$20
daily fee
$40
resident sticker / season
$175
non-resident / season
- Lot size
- Medium
- Enforcement
- Sticker or pay-and-display daily fee at lot kiosk.
Sticker or daily fee
Getting there
- From Sagamore Bridge
- 45 min
- From Bourne Bridge
- 50 min
- Nearest urgent care
- Outer Cape Health Services Harwich Port (3 min)
- Rail trail
- 0.4 mi away
- Cell signal
- good
Accessibility
- Beach wheelchair
- Not available
- Mobi Mat
- No
- Accessible parking
- 2 spaces
Dogs
No dogs allowed Memorial Day–Labor Day, even leashed.
Rules & activities
What’s allowed
AlcoholGrillsFiresDronesSmoking
Activities
Kayak rentals · Harbor Outfitters in Harwich Port (~5 min)
Safety & stewardship
Lifeguards on duty· Late June through Labor Day
Photo by Chris Manhattan via Google Places
Today
Water67°F
Sunrise5:06 AM
Sunset8:18 PM
Conditions
WavesCalm water
Water70–74°F (July–Aug)
TidesLow variance
SharksLow risk
Jellyfishoccasional
Length~0.3 mi
Facilities
LifeguardsRestroomsShowers
Late June through Labor Day, 9am–4:30pm
Bank Street Beach — good to know
How much does parking cost at Bank Street Beach?
Bank Street Beach charges roughly $20 per day for non-resident parking in summer; residents with a town sticker pay less or park free. Lots fill early on weekends, so arrive before about 10am.
Are dogs allowed at Bank Street Beach?
Dogs are not permitted at Bank Street Beach during the summer season — No dogs allowed Memorial Day–Labor Day, even leashed.
Does Bank Street Beach have lifeguards?
Yes — Bank Street Beach is staffed by lifeguards during the summer season (Late June through Labor Day).
Are there restrooms at Bank Street Beach?
Bank Street Beach has public restrooms and showers available in season.
What is the water like at Bank Street Beach?
Bank Street Beach is a Nantucket Sound beach on Nantucket Sound. Expect calm, gentle water that's good for young kids and easy swimming. Average summer water temperature is around 70–74°F (July–Aug).
What is Bank Street Beach best for?
Bank Street Beach is especially good for families and kayaking.
When is the best time to visit Bank Street Beach?
before_10am.
