Race Point Beach
4.7(1.4K)google
4.6(83)yelp
SwimmingWildlife WatchingFamilySunsetOutdoorOcean ViewMust-SeeBeach
Overview
Race Point Light is a historic lighthouse on Cape Cod, in Provincetown, Massachusetts; it is on the National Register of Historic Places. The original tower, first illuminated in 1816, was replaced in 1876 with the current 45-foot-tall (14 m) tall iron-plated tower and a new keeper's dwelling. The American Lighthouse Foundation operates the property and rents out two buildings for overnight stays.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration3-6 hours
Best TimeSummer (June to August) is ideal for wild Atlantic scenery and coastal sand dunes. The ultimate time of day is sunset between 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM; due to its unique geographical curvature at the tip of the Cape, it is one of the few spots where you can watch the sun sink directly into the open ocean.
Getting ThereLocated at the northernmost tip of Provincetown. Drive along US-6 E to its very end, then follow Race Point Road straight to the shore. There is a spacious National Seashore parking lot at the beach (fees apply during peak summer days, free after 4:30 PM).
Travel Tips
- Driving onto the sand via OSV corridors requires a mandatory National Seashore ORV Permit; vehicles must be 4WD and carry regulatory gear including a tire gauge, tow strap, and shovel.
- The main paved lot fills completely before 09:30 from July through August; once full, rangers turn away incoming traffic, forcing vehicles to redirect to paid lots in downtown Provincetown.
- This area is an active great white shark hunting ground; federal regulations mandate immediate exit from the water if purple shark flags fly or seals appear, and swimming past waist-deep water is banned.
Reviews
Positive
- As the tippy top of Cape Cod, the sunsets here are breathtakingly beautiful, and regularly spotting gray seals bobbing near the shore makes for a magical experience.
- The beach area is exceptionally wide with soft, fine sand; the public changing rooms and restrooms outside the dunes maintain excellent cleanliness and care.
- The lifeguards are highly dedicated and vigilant, and boundary flags and rip-current warning signs are clearly posted, giving families great peace of mind.
- It permits permitted 4x4 vehicles to drive directly onto designated over-sand routes, offering a wonderful premium experience for camping and fishing enthusiasts.
Heads up
- The surf here is much rough to compare with bay-side beaches, featuring strong currents and high winds that whip sand into your face, making it poor for small kids.
- Because the shoreline is vast, getting from the lot to the water requires trekking over a long, hot dune boardwalk, which is brutal when hauling heavy gear.
- The eco-environment is heavily wild; massive seal colonies have attracted great white sharks to the shallows recently, triggering erratic swimming bans.
- It sits miles away from downtown Provincetown, and the beach has zero concession stands, making it deeply inconvenient if you don't pack your own food and water.