Chatham Lighthouse Beach, Cape Cod: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

Chatham Lighthouse Beach runs along the Atlantic shore on Cape Cod's southeastern corner in Massachusetts, directly below the 48-foot 1877 Chatham Lighthouse tower. The beach has shifted dramatically over recent decades as the outer Nauset Beach sandbar has migrated and ruptured, repeatedly redirecting tidal flows through breaches in the barrier beach. Swimming is restricted in designated areas due to strong currents, and gray seal populations in the surrounding waters have drawn periodic white shark activity. Public parking is limited, and access is typically via a short walk from the lighthouse overlook on Main Street. is just one of many options in Cape Cod. Major attractions worth considering include Cape Cod Canal, Cornelia Carey Sanctuary (The Knob), and John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum.