Sound Side
Cockle Cove Beach
Chatham, MA
(88)
Familiestoddlerscalm water
Calm waterLifeguardsSunsets
1 / 5
Heads up
- Piping plover nesting closure active this month — sections of the beach may be roped off.
Sound SideSticker / Day FeeBest in August
Hardings Beach
Chatham, Massachusetts · Nantucket Sound
4.7(161 reviews)
Walk the sand to a Chatham lighthouse
A beautiful sound-side beach with views of Stage Harbor Lighthouse. The walk to the lighthouse point is a classic Chatham experience. Protected water makes it great for younger swimmers.
Hardings Beach is the most popular sound-side beach in Chatham, and the only one with proper amenities: full bathhouse, snack bar, lifeguarded swim area, and a paved Mobi-mat path to the sand. The beach itself is unusually long for a sound beach — almost a mile — running east toward Stage Harbor Lighthouse at the far end. The lighthouse walk is the signature experience: forty minutes each way along firm wet sand with shorebirds, oystercatchers, and the white tower growing on the horizon. The water is sound-warm, the surf is gentle, and the eastern end (out toward the lighthouse) gets quieter the further you walk. Lot is large but fills by 10:30 a.m. on July weekends; both stickers and daily-fee spots are sold. Pair with a stop in downtown Chatham for an ice cream cone at Buffy's, or dinner at the Chatham Bars Inn beach grille. The complete sound-side Chatham day.
History
Stage Harbor Lighthouse at the beach's east end was built in 1880 and decommissioned in 1933 — one of the few privately-owned lighthouses on the Cape today.
Photo spot
Stage Harbor Lighthouse at the beach's eastern point at sunset.
Arrive
before_10amCrowds
HighDogs
SeasonalLifeguards
On dutySunsets
Great spotBest for
Families
The beach
Lay of the land
- Orientation
- South-facing
- Length
- ~0.8 mi
- Backshore
- Dune / flat
- Sand
- fine_soft
- Shade
- Open — no natural shade
Wildlife
Things to know
- Occasional seal haul-outs nearby — a shark factor on outer-Cape waters.
Plan your visit
Parking & fees
$25
daily fee
$50
resident sticker / season
$200
non-resident / season
- Lot size
- Large
- Enforcement
- Sticker or pay-and-display daily fee. Lot fills by 10:30am summer weekends.
Sticker or daily parking
Getting there
- From Sagamore Bridge
- 55 min
- From Bourne Bridge
- 60 min
- Nearest urgent care
- Outer Cape Health Services Harwich Port (15 min)
- Cell signal
- good
Accessibility
- Beach wheelchair
- Available
- Mobi Mat
- Yes
- Accessible parking
- 4 spaces
Dogs
No dogs Memorial Day–Labor Day.
Rules & activities
What’s allowed
AlcoholGrillsFiresDronesSmoking
Activities
Kayak rentals · Monomoy Sail & Cycle Chatham (~10 min)
Safety & stewardship
Lifeguards on duty· Late June through Labor Day Partial plover closure (seasonal)
Photo by tom confer via Google Places
Today
Water67°F
Sunrise5:06 AM
Sunset8:18 PM
Conditions
WavesCalm water
Water68–72°F (July–Aug)
TidesLow variance
SharksLow risk
Jellyfishoccasional
Length~0.8 mi
Facilities
LifeguardsRestroomsShowersChanging rooms
Late June through Labor Day, 9am–4:30pm
Hardings Beach — good to know
How much does parking cost at Hardings Beach?
Hardings Beach charges roughly $25 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 Hardings Beach?
Dogs are not permitted at Hardings Beach during the summer season — No dogs Memorial Day–Labor Day.
Does Hardings Beach have lifeguards?
Yes — Hardings Beach is staffed by lifeguards during the summer season (Late June through Labor Day).
Are there restrooms at Hardings Beach?
Hardings Beach has public restrooms and showers available in season.
What is the water like at Hardings Beach?
Hardings 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 68–72°F (July–Aug).
What is Hardings Beach best for?
Hardings Beach is especially good for families.
When is the best time to visit Hardings Beach?
before_10am.
