Long, sandy beach said to be the site of the first meeting of the Pilgrims & Native Americans.
Hours not specified
What clients say about First Encounter Beach in Easthampton Township (MA)
First Encounter Beach in Eastham, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is a historic and popular bay beach known for its calm, warm, shallow waters, expansive tidal flats perfect for exploring at low tide, beautiful sunsets, and its historical significance as the site where the Pilgrims first met the Nauset tribe in 1620 before settling in Plymouth, offering family-friendly recreation with amenities like restrooms and accessibility.
Key Features & Activities:
History: Named for the 1620 meeting between the Mayflower Pilgrims and the Nauset Native Americans, marked by a tablet on a knoll.
Tidal Flats: At low tide, vast flats emerge, allowing visitors to walk far out into the bay, explore salt marshes, and find crabs and clams.
Family-Friendly: Warm, calm waters make it ideal for children.
Sunsets: Offers stunning sunset views over Cape Cod Bay.
Amenities: Features restrooms, portable toilets, and is handicap accessible, with parking available (fees apply in summer).
Regulations: Pets are generally not allowed during the peak summer season (June 15 - Labor Day).
Loved coming here for morning walks with family. If you’re patient and bring a decent pair of binoculars, you can see some great birds at low tide. We saw tons of bank and tree swallows, several species of sandpiper and gull, and some greater yellowlegs as well. There’s a nice path toward the marsh and a beautiful view of Cape Cod bay from the shore.
I can't even express what a special place this is and what this place means to me. My wife grew up on this beach playing in the sand and spending countless hours every summer with her family. In 2007 we got married here and made a commitment to always love each other. And for the past 11 years we've watched our son frolic in the waves, play in the sand, discover aquatic creatures that he's only read about in books and enjoy the magnificent sunsets. I couldn't think of a better place to be in this world.
Oh when we first step on the beach we was like omg so cool - sand islands every where. We walk far far a way . Water was hot and clear . We had our umbrella in the water just chilling and here is it coming 30 min later the water start coming and coming and we start moving and moving and moving ... there was a moment when we had to go in a water covering our chests in order to reach the sand . Bottom of the ocean was nasty and feel like cover with slime. Many sea weed and bushes. Take your water shoes.
We had fun but prepare yourself.
They charge $25 for parking that includes 4 beaches around same area for a day.
I personally think that they shouldn't charge money for visiting local beaches but they obviously had reason behind it.
No dogs allowed but many paw prints on the sand.
This place is great if you have toddlers or aren't looking to actually go swimming! The water remains shallow (ankles) and gets warm in the tide pools.
Not very crowded and sanitary toilet facilities. No food but an ice cream truck frequents in the afternoon around 12:30.
If you are looking for hermit crabs or minnows, this is your spot!
Beautiful spot on the bay side. Really nice to take walks at low tide. You can walk about a quarter mile out. Best beach to view the sunset. Highly recommend!
Wow! What a great awesome beach. Great views, parking, and extremely photogenic location. A must stop beach. Bucket list it! I had stopped while the tide was out and walked out about a good half mile or more. Several 360's are being posted to street view as well check them out.
It's the best beach we have been to during our stay in Cape Cod. Seriously, we fell in love hard with this place. The sand is soft and perfect to make sand castles, the water is not too deep and have a really slow slopes so the children can enjoy the water. The water is really warm compared to other beaches around there. I highly recommend going to that beach. We'll be sure to stop there again during our next trip to Cape Cod
Great beach to go to with kids. No big waves to worry about. At high tide you can swim way out and still touch the bottom for break. At low tide you can build tons of sand castles or other sand sculptures. Plus you can walk way out on what was the ocean floor at high tide and look for crabs and the tell tale squirt of steamer clams! (Pic below was taken at Low tide)If you hang out till sunset you get to see the sun drop into the water(not many places you can do that on East Coast.
I would have gave it 5 stars if there was showers to rinse the sand and salt off with.
This has always been one of my favorite beaches on the Cape. The tide goes out so far! It's a nice place to bring kids to let them walk the flats and teach them about some of the sea life.
It is an ok beach. A bit rocky, not a great swimming area and lots of sand fleas when we went. There can be plenty of green heads as well which bite. It is a nice spot for sunset though but not where I would spend the day.
Great during the day for small children as it's on the Bay side of the Cape. the water is cool and when the tide goes out there are plenty of tide pools to explore. During the evening it becomes gathering place for truly amazing sunsets.
This beach is amazing at low tide. You can walk for miles across the sand flat, walking through tidal pools exploring or just hang out and enjoy the sun and sounds. Be sure to stay long enough to catch a stunning sunset!
