Cape Cod: How We Actually Do It (From the South Shore)
Living on the South Shore means Cape Cod isn’t a vacation, it’s an extension of home. We check the traffic, grab towels, and go. There is so much to do on the Cape, but here are a few things we do over and over.
Bay Side for Sunsets
If you’ve ever wondered why sunsets feel so dramatic on the north side of the Cape, it’s simple geography. The “bay side” beaches (facing Cape Cod Bay) face west, so the sun sets directly over the water. On the ocean side (like Nauset or Coast Guard Beach), the sun sets behind you. If you want that glowing sky reflected across the flats and water, head to the bay side at low tide in the evening. It never disappoints, but bring bug spray.
Bay-Side Beaches at Low Tide (Mayflower, First Encounter & Skaket)
At low tide, the sandbars can extend a mile, revealing wide, flat stretches and shallow tidal pools perfect for finding creatures.
Skaket Beach (Orleans)
Same beautiful bay-side conditions, you’ll see oyster farms resting on the flats, and sometimes people tubing along nearby creeks. It has that classic working-Cape atmosphere layered into it.
If you want swimming, waves, and surf, head to the ocean side.
And living on the South Shore means you can choose either, depending on the day.
Seals: Part of the Cape Experience
Photo by Brian Yurasits on Unsplash
Seals are now part of the Cape’s coastal identity. Gray seal populations have rebounded over the last few decades, and Cape Cod Bay has become one of the most visible places in the Northeast to see them in the wild.
You might spot them:
• Resting on sandbars at low tide
• Popping their heads up just offshore
• Gathering in large groups near Chatham
One of the easiest places to see seals is the Chatham Fish Pier. Late morning into early afternoon, especially during the warmer months, they linger near returning fishing boats. It’s casual and easy to access.
If you want a bigger viewing experience, Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge off Chatham is known for its large seal haul-outs. A “haul-out” is when seals leave the water to rest on land. During late summer and early fall, thousands gather on the sandbars.
You can view them:
• From Chatham Light with binoculars at low tide
• From the Fish Pier observation areas
• On seasonal boat tours that run May–October
Just remember: seals are federally protected. Keep your distance and enjoy responsibly.
Tubing Down Scorton Creek, Sandwich
This is something people don’t always know about. You can tube down Scorton Creek in Sandwich with the tide. It’s calm, scenic, and fun.
If you’re comfortable reading tide charts, you can park in the small lot onRoute 6A and plan it yourself.
If you’re not? Hire a local outfitter. They’ll:
• Provide tubes
• Time it properly
• Handle logistics
There’s limited parking, and timing matters, so unless you know the tides well, outsourcing it makes the day much easier.
Pro Tip: Once you reach the end, spend some time at the marsh and the beach, and people jump off the bridge at high tide at their own risk.
The Inflatable Water Park
The Cape Cod Inflatable Park is awesome, but for us, only when you rent one of the private cabanas.
It gives you:
• A home base
• Shade
• A place to regroup
• Less stress
Dune Tours in Provincetown
If you’ve never done a dune tour in Provincetown, put it on your list. The protected dunes of the Cape Cod National Seashore are dramatic and completely different from the rest of the Cape.
You can’t access them easily on your own, which makes the guided tours worth it. It gives you:
• History
• Ecology
• Views most visitors never see
P-Town itself is vibrant and fun, but the dunes feel quiet and wild.
If You Want More
Cape Cod Biking suggestions in my biking blog here.
Favorite Cape trails in my hiking blog here.
Boating suggestions throughout the Cape are in my boating blog here.
The Cape can be relaxing or adventurous; it just depends on how you plan it.