With over 700 miles of shoreline, several protected harbors and bays, easy access to the open ocean waters, and wealth of marshes, ponds, and rivers, Cape Cod and the islands of Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and the Elizabeth Islands represent the ideal setting for almost every type of water activity you can imagine. The area is a paradise for boating enthusiasts, anglers, beachgoers, and nature lovers. There are hundreds of miles of beaches for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, or beachcombing. Along with the beaches, the incredible variety of waterways also support fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, sightseeing, birdwatching, and more.

Memorable Cape Cod Sailing & Fishing Charters are Available

Charter services like Moment Sailing Adventures out of Provincetown and Shearwater Excursions of Nantucket deliver memorable sailing, whale, or seal watching tours, and sunset cruises around the Cape. If you prefer to spend the day out on the water at your own pace and have experience, you can rent a sailboat from Down Cape Charter and Boat Rentals in Harwich oar pontoon boat from All Cape Boat Rentals in Hyannis. For an adventure with a workout, join Stand Up and Paddle in Osterville for a kayaking or paddle boarding tour, or rent one and set out on your own to one of the nearby rivers or kettle ponds. Boat launches like Sesuit Harbor Ramp in West Dennis or Lovells Pond in Barnstable are also great places to start out a day on the water, with access to calm harbor waters, rivers, and ponds.

Beyond boating, the waters of Cape Cod offer fantastic fishing. Hire a charter like Reel Deal Fishing Charters out of Truro with a professional captain and crew to teach you, set up the gear, help land your catch, and even prepare your deliciously fresh fish for dinner. If you have your own seaworthy vessel, area ramps like Uncle Freemans Landing in Hyannis will put you a short ride from open waters and some of the best ocean fishing around. The protected harbors and bays like Falmouth’s Quissett Harbor are suitable for smaller boats and offer striped bass, bluefish, and bonito, among others. Or, rent a boat from someone like Atsakeepa Sportfishing in Barnstable and spend a lazy day of trolling on the harbor. Kayak and canoe rentals are ideal for paddling up Sandwich’s Scorton Creek or float the marshes and ponds off Snow Shore Road in Orleans. On foot, surfcasting is popular along the Orleans’ Nauset Beach and Truro’s Ballston Beach and wading works very well to target the troughs between sandbars at Wellfleet’s Grand Island and Brewster’s Paine’s Creek Beach. No matter what your preferred style of fishing is – casting lures, trolling, working jigs, bait on the bottom, and even fly fishing be sure to stop at a local bait shop like Got Stryper in Chatham on the way for gear, bug spray, and friendly advice.

Cape Cod Beaches for Surfing, Paddle boarding, Kayaking and Sunbathing

Aside from boating and fishing, there are plenty of other things to do in Cape Cod, especially in the summer months, plus views that can’t be beat. Popular swim beaches along the bays, harbors and ponds offer warm, calm water perfect for splashing around and favorites like Chapoquoit Beach in West Falmouth or Corporation Beach have restrooms, showers, concessions, and other amenities. Rent a surfboard from Nauset Surf in Orleans and go to Nauset Beach for some big waves or pick up a paddle board at Aqua Sport Rentals in Eastham and head to First Encounter Beach for calmer waters. And, as the day winds down, take in one of the iconic beachfront views of the sun dipping into the water. The south and west facing beaches are best for spectacular sunsets, like Herring Cove Beach near Provincetown and Skaket Beach in Orleans.

So, whether you fancy a day of sailing, trying your luck fishing, or frolicking in the water along the shore, Cape Cod is the place to be. With so many different ways to spend a day on the water, you’ll never run out of things to do.

Please feel free to share your favorite experience on the water at Cape Cod with our audience!