Last updated: August 13, 2024
Place
Nauset Light Beach
NPS/Peter Marteka
Quick Facts
Location:
Intersection of Cable Road and Ocean View Drive, Eastham
Significance:
Original location of the first transatlantic communications cable between Europe and the United States
Amenities
11 listed
Beach/Water Access, Benches/Seating, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Parking - Auto, Picnic Table, Restroom - Seasonal, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Showers, Toilet - Vault/Composting, Trash Dumpster, Water - Bottle-Filling Station
Nauset Light Beach is a broad, sandy beach backed by a steep glacial scarp. A hard-packed path leads from the parking lot down to the beach. During winter months, when wave activity is stronger, the beach can narrow considerably. Sometimes rocks and other features are temporarily uncovered.
From Memorial Day through mid-September, part of this beach parking lot is restricted to Eastham residents. The lot is small, and tends to fill quickly on nice beach days.
The red-and-white Nauset Lighthouse sits on the bluff above the beach. Today the lighthouse is maintained by the Nauset Light Preservation Society, which offers tours from late spring through early fall. A short walk from the parking lot are the Three Sisters lighthouses; these petite towers were decomissioned after Nauset Light was moved to this location. The historic French Cable Hut sits on the northern edge of the parking lot.