A Day on North Beach Island: What to Bring and How to Get There
North Beach Island is the barrier beach that separates Chatham Harbor from the open Atlantic. It’s the reason the water here is what it is — and it’s one of the few genuinely wild beaches left on the Cape.
There are no snack bars. No bathrooms. No lifeguards, no parking lot, no boardwalk. That’s the entire point.
How to Get to North Beach Island
North Beach Island is an island. There’s no bridge and no road — the only way on is by boat.
Our Chatham beach shuttle runs from Outermost Harbor Marine at 83 Seagull Road. It’s a short ride across the harbor, we drop you on the beach, and we come back for you at a set time. Round trip is Adults $35, Children $30.
When you book, you’ll pick your drop-off and your pickup. Be at the pickup spot at the time you chose — we’re running other trips behind yours, and the beach is big enough that finding a wandering group isn’t quick.
What to Bring — and What You’ll Regret Forgetting
Because there’s nothing out there, whatever you don’t bring, you do without.
Non-negotiable:
- Water. More than you think. There’s no source on the island.
- Sunscreen, and then more sunscreen. No shade, and the sand and water reflect everything back at you.
- A hat and sunglasses.
Strongly recommended:
- A beach umbrella or pop-up shade. The single biggest comfort difference.
- Food. Nothing is sold on the island.
- A trash bag. Carry-in, carry-out — nobody cleans up out there.
- A dry bag or ziplock for phones and keys. You’re stepping off a boat.
Leave at home: anything you’d be upset to get wet or sandy, and glass.
Know the Tide
The beach changes shape dramatically between high and low tide. At low water you get enormous flats to walk; at high water the usable beach narrows a lot.
Set your stuff well above the high-water line — you can usually spot it by the wrack line of seaweed and shell. People who set up too low spend the afternoon moving their chairs.
A Few Safety Notes We’d Rather Say Out Loud
This is the open Atlantic, not a protected bay.
- The surf and currents are real. There are no lifeguards. Rip currents form along the outer beach — if you get pulled, swim parallel to shore, not against it.
- Seals mean sharks. Great whites feed on the seal population here. Follow posted guidance, stay out of the water near seals, and don’t swim at dawn or dusk. Locals take this seriously and so should you.
- Watch your group. Kids and strong swimmers alike.
None of this should scare you off — thousands of people have a perfect day out there every summer. Just go in with your eyes open.
Make It a Combo
A lot of people pair the two: take the narrated seal cruise first, then get dropped on North Beach for the afternoon. It’s Adults $60, Children $55 for both, which is less than booking them separately.
Booking the Beach Shuttle
Reserve online for instant confirmation. Summer weekends fill first. If the weather turns unsafe we’ll cancel and refund in full.
Questions? Call (508) 945-2030.