Coast Guard Beach
The spot where the Mayflower first made landfall in the New World in 1620.
Guide Sections
Use Coast Guard Beach's guide sections to understand how this stop fits into the larger park plan.
Coast Guard Beach Details
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
Region
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The beach in front of the former Coast Guard Station in Eastham is a popular swimming spot as well as one of the Cape's best spots for surfing. Be sure to take a walk out to the end of the sandy spit that marks the opening for Nauset Inlet, where you can view seabirds and harbor seals or cast for bluefish or stripers from the shore. A path behind the Coast Guard Station will take you into the Nauset Marsh and a bridge for the bike path. Coast Guard Beach is also the spot where the Mayflower first made landfall in the New World in 1620. The beach has lifeguards in season, as well as public restrooms and showers. However, the parking lot is small and reserved for staff and handicapped visitors, so if you're here during summer you'll have to park at the Little Creek area and take the shuttle to the beach.