The Best 15 Places to Watch Sunsets on Cape Cod

The Best 15 Places to Watch Sunsets on Cape Cod

When on Cape Cod, making time to experience the beautiful sunsets the Cape enjoys should be a priority. Given its unique geography, the Cape boasts of some of the best sunsets in New England. Below are some of the best places to watch sunsets on Cape Cod:

Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown

Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown is arguably one of the best places to watch sunsets in New England. While perched on the beach here, you will have an unobstructed view of the horizon beyond the water. Since your view is unobstructed, it is like the water meets the horizon where the sun sets.
You can drive yourself here as there is plenty of free parking available. The parking is right at the edge of the beach. It is a safe place so you can stay at the beach late into the evening. You should stay a little longer after the sunset to enjoy the afterglow. The color spectacle of the afterglow can be even better than the sunset itself. If making small fires is your thing, get a permit from the park service to enjoy a warm evening by the beach.
Race Point Beach in Provincetown

Herring Cove Beach is not the only place to watch sunsets in Provincetown; Race Point Beach is also perfect. This is one of the most popular beaches on the Cape and it is unlikely to disappoint. With characteristic gentle waves and breathtaking sunsets, an evening spent at Race Point Beach is as meditative as it gets.

Your view of the sunset will depend on where you are. It’s a long beach, after all, with about 7 miles of sandy coastline. Unlike Herring Cove beach where you can watch the sunset from your car at the parking lot, you will have to walk to the beach to actually enjoy the sunset. If you are on the south side of the overland trails, the sun sets on the left side rather than right ahead but it is still a beautiful view. Beach admission is free after 4:30 pm even during the summer.

Skaket Beach in Orleans
The setting at Skaket Beach is almost similar to that of Herring Cove Beach. You will enjoy an unobstructed view of the sunset on the horizon beyond the water. With clear waters and soft sand, this is a very beautiful beach and it can provide an excellent backdrop for a meditative evening walk.
It is safe to go here with kids who want to play in the water. The water is warm and clear and the low tide lasts for long enough for the kids to enjoy playing in the shallow waters. Enjoying the sunset during the low tide on Skaket Beach may be one of the best experiences Orleans offers in the evening. The outgoing tide leaves pools of water that reflect the setting sun’s rays thereby enhancing the whole experience.
You can drive to Skaket Beach. Parking is available and you may be required to part with $20 if you arrive before 4:30 pm. Alternatively, you can secure a weekly or season pass from the town’s administration on 40 Giddiah Hill Road Orleans, MA. You will need a pass every day throughout the summer. You may not need a pass on weekdays during the low seasons.

Sandy Neck Beach in Sandwich

Sandy Neck Beach in Sandwich is a whole package with clear water, soft sand, cleanliness, and ease of access. The beach is a joy to walk on and you can enjoy the sunset as you take a lazy stroll by the water in the evening. In the off-peak months, there are very few people by the beach in the evening and you can enjoy sunsets in solitude.

The beach is easily accessible by car and there is plenty of free parking available in the evenings. If you arrive earlier in the day during the peak summer months, expect to pay $20 to $25 for parking. Bathroom facilities provided by the beach are very clean and well-maintained.
Twenty-Eight Atlantic Restaurant in Harwich

Twenty-Eight Atlantic Restaurant is located at Wequassett Resort and Golf Club. It is a Forbes Five-Star restaurant offering a coastal menu experience with most of the ingredients sourced locally in New England. This restaurant is guaranteed to provide one of the best dining experiences you will have on the Cape.

Few experiences match fine dining in an ocean-side five-star restaurant with a beautiful fireplace, direct views of the water, and floor-to-ceiling windows to ensure you enjoy the sunset in all its glory. Dinner at the restaurant is served from 5:30 pm to 10 pm so you will have plenty of time to enjoy both the sunset and your meal.

Duck Harbor Beach in Wellfleet

Duck Harbor Beach in Wellfleet is a big beach with gentle dunes and occasional rocky patches, especially at low tide. It has calm warm waters and it will afford you excellent views of Provincetown. On any clear day, you will be able to see the Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown from here. In the evenings, it is one of the best spots to spend an evening in Wellfleet because of the beautiful sunsets.
Parking is available a short walk away from the beach. You will need a parking sticker during the peak summer months. Collect your parking sticker from the Beach Office which is located at 255 Commercial Street, Wellfleet.

Rock Harbor in Orleans

Rock Harbor Beach is one of the best places to watch sunsets if you are in Orleans. This small beach is great at low tide as the beach extends for miles allowing lots of space to take a walk and run around.

This is a great family beach and you can bring your loved ones with you. You can drive yourself here at any time as there’s plenty of parking available Parking is free. Kids will enjoy walking the extensive beach at low tide and watching the fishing boats at the harbor. There is a restaurant nearby in case you need to grab a bite.

Paine’s Creek Beach in Brewster

When in Brewster, Paine’s Creek Beach is a perfect place to catch the sunset. The scenic inlet has been the subject of many Cape Cod postcards as well as many promotional travel pieces. It is a very beautiful place, especially during low tide. Taking a walk on the flats at low tide will give you plenty to explore.

You can bring the whole family along as it is kids-friendly. Dogs are allowed in the off-peak season (till May 1). Parking at Paine’s Creek is limited during peak beach hours. The crowds thin in the evening and you should be able to get parking if you are coming to just watch the sunset later in the day.

Chapin Beach in Dennis

The sunsets at Chapin Beach are some of the best on the Cape. This beach is a hidden gem but it is very popular with 4WD owners. If you want to bring your 4WD to this beach, make sure you have the required permits for a beach drive.
Go to Chapin for the sunsets and also to swim or to explore the tidal flats. At low tides, Chapin Beach allows you to walk into the ocean for several miles. It is one of the most spectacular beaches on the Cape at low tide yet you will never find the beach overcrowded even during the summer. If you want to sunbathe here during the day, I would advise you to go early because parking is limited. There’s enough parking in the evenings, though, for the few people who come to watch the sunsets.

Gray’s Beach in Yarmouth Port

Gray’s Beach in Yarmouth Port is a serious contender for the best boardwalk on Cape Cod. You will be walking above a marsh with waterways that plays host to a great variety of sea life including crabs, shellfish, striped bass, and different shoals of small fish.
There are benches by the beach that you can sit on to watch the sunset. It is a small beach but it does not feel crowded at all in the evenings even though it is the favorite spot to watch sunsets in Wellfleet. People will be well spread out with some people on the boardwalk, some will be strolling the sandy beach while others will be seated on the benches. Since it is a small beach, if you want to enjoy your time here during the day when the sun is up, go early so that you can find a great spot to set up.

Chatham Lighthouse Beach in Chatham

Near the iconic American lighthouse in Chatham, there’s a beautiful sandy beach with an expansive sandbar where you can set up barbecues and picnics during the day or stroll in the evening to enjoy the sunset. You will also have great views of the lighthouse.
You can drive to the beach as there’s free parking available. It is a small parking area so it is not guaranteed that you will get a space during the day at the height of summer. The evenings, however, are a breeze and you can enjoy the sunset with fewer people at the beach.
The Cape Cod Canal in Buzzards Bay, Bourne

If you want to enjoy the sunset while biking or walking on a paved ground next to the water, the Cape Cod Canal in Buzzards Bay is the ideal destination. The path is very well designed and accommodates both pedestrians and cyclists very well even though the area can be busy when the weather is good. Everyone is courteous, though, and you will enjoy a walk here in the evening even with cyclists around.
The canal stretches some 7 miles and spending time here is worth it whether you are coming to watch sunsets or not. The views are amazing on a sunny day and even better as the glow of the sunset sets in. Along the way, you will also enjoy the activities on the water as big boats pass by and fishermen navigate the space.

Old Silver Beach in Falmouth

Old Silver Beach in Falmouth is a beautiful sandy beach that is an all-around great place to spend a summer day. Besides the sand and the sun, you can come here to swim and to do some beachcombing. The water is clear and you can easily see the wildlife under the water. This is a perfect opportunity to chase fish and crabs and to also look for mussels and clams. Unlike the other Falmouth beaches that are full of rocks, there are scarcely any rocks at Old Silver Beach.

In the evenings, the west-facing beach offers magnificent views of the sunset. You can drive yourself here as there is a big parking lot not far from the beach. The parking fee is $20 per day. It is a small but popular beach so it can get crowded during the day. In the evenings, however, people are scarce and you can enjoy the sunsets with fewer people at the beach.

The Knob in Falmouth

The Knob is located where Buzzards Bay meets Quissett Harbor. From here you will have the best views of Buzzards Bay on the Cape. Further, the sunsets over Buzzards Bay as seen from The Knob are just spell-binding. Several people are drawn to this destination in the evenings mainly for the sunsets. It’s never crowded, though. There are three separate beaches at The Knob, Little Sandy Beach, Fisherman’s Beach, and Crescent Beach.
On any sunny warm day, you can go to The Knob to swim or lounge on the sand. You can also venture out to explore the shoreline. You can access The Knob by walking the sandy trail between Buzzards Bay and Quissett Harbor. This is a protected area so you should only walk on the market trails to preserve the unique habitats.

Breakwater Beach in Brewster

This popular beach in Brewster is easily accessible being less than half a mile from the Brewster General Store. It has plenty of parking just near the beach. You will need a pass to use the parking lot in the summer.

The sunsets at Breakwater Beach are amazing. Even though it is a small beach and it is very popular with Brewster residents and tourists alike, it never feels crowded. You can be assured of enjoying a calm evening here watching the sun go down without much disturbance from other visitors.
This is also a perfect beach in Brewster to explore tidal flats. The water recedes about 2 miles during low tide. Low and mid tides are the best times to have a wholesome Breakwater Beach experience. You can bring the kids along during the day to explore the flats.