Warm, sheltered, and shallow — Cockle Cove Beach on Nantucket Sound is Chatham's go-to for family swims, sandcastle-building, and low-key South Cape beach days with sailboat views.

Named for the reddish freshwater stream that cuts across its sand, Red River Beach in South Harwich is a south-facing Nantucket Sound gem with calm waters, tidal marshes, and long golden-hour views toward the islands. One of the Cape's most scenically layered beaches — and a magnet for painters, families, and nature lovers alike.

Brewster's Breakwater Beach is all about the tidal flats — at low tide the bay retreats to reveal a half-mile of rippled sandbars perfect for exploring. Calm, warm, and wonderfully unhurried, it's one of Cape Cod Bay's finest stretches of shoreline.

One of Brewster's crown jewels, Paine's Creek Beach offers extraordinary bay-side tidal flats, a picturesque creek mouth, and some of the best sunset views on Cape Cod. Come at low tide to walk forever into Cape Cod Bay — or stay for dusk and watch the sky catch fire.

A hidden gem on Brewster's Bay side, Crosby Landing delivers sweeping tidal flats, glassy calm water, and some of the most stunning sunsets on Cape Cod — without the crowds. Low tide here is a world-class tidal pool adventure.

One of Cape Cod's finest bay-side beaches, Corporation Beach in Dennis delivers calm warm water, sweeping tidal flats, and jaw-dropping sunsets over Cape Cod Bay. Perfect for families and paddlers, it's a summer essential on the north side of the Cape.

One of Dennis's most dramatic bay beaches, Chapin's legendary tidal flats stretch half a mile at low tide and deliver some of the best sunsets on all of Cape Cod. Warm, shallow water and a raw, undeveloped vibe make this a must-visit.

One of Cape Cod's longest south-side beaches, West Dennis Beach delivers warm Nantucket Sound waters, sweeping sand, and legendary sunsets. Perfect for families, windsurfers, and anyone who just wants a seriously good beach day.

One of Cape Cod Bay's most beloved beaches, Mayflower Beach in Dennis dazzles with warm, calm waters and extraordinary low tides that expose vast sandbars perfect for exploration. It's a classic, all-ages Cape Cod experience at its most photogenic.

Gray's Beach in Yarmouth Port hides one of Cape Cod's most dramatic boardwalks — stretching over a tidal marsh with sweeping views of Bass Hole's vast flats. Shallow, warm, and wonderfully unhurried, it's a secret locals guard closely. Shallow and calm, with a long boardwalk over the marsh and some of the best sunsets on the Cape.