Beaches in Hyannis, MA
Hyannis, set along Cape Cod’s southern coast, is home to some of Massachusetts’ most inviting beaches. Having visited many shorelines across the country, I’ve found that Hyannis offers a special blend of New England charm and coastal relaxation. With soft sands, calm waters, and a welcoming seaside atmosphere, it’s the kind of place that keeps you coming back year after year.
I discovered lively family-friendly beaches, quieter stretches perfect for a peaceful walk, and shorelines where the sunsets paint the sky in unforgettable colors. From swimming and sailing to simply relaxing by the water, Hyannis offers something for every kind of beachgoer. Here are the beaches I recommend, and I think you’ll enjoy them too.
1. Craigville Beach, Barnstable - 20 minutes from Hyannis
I thought Craigville Beach was the quintessential slice of Cape Cod summer, a long crescent of soft, pale sand backed by classic shingled cottages, with Nantucket Sound stretching endlessly blue on the horizon. It gave me that breezy, New England seaside feel that instantly put me at ease!
Just a quick 10-minute drive from downtown Hyannis, I spent an afternoon unwinding here. The vibe was relaxed and family-friendly — I walked the wide shoreline as gulls wheeled overhead, took a refreshing swim in the warm, gentle surf, sipped iced coffee from the Craigville Beach Snack Bar, and lingered into the golden hour when the sunset painted the water with streaks of rose and lavender. i checked into 3-star Hyannis Travel Inn for two days.
- Location: Map & Directions
2. Sandy Neck Beach - 15 minutes from Hyannis
Sandy Neck Beach felt like stepping into a wilder, more rugged side of Cape Cod, a six-mile sweep of sand, dunes, and tidal flats that seemed to stretch into infinity. I thought that Sandy Neck Beach is one of the best beaches in Hyannis when I moved to the East Coast. Why? It has a wonderfully untamed beauty, with the salty wind off Cape Cod Bay, dune grasses swaying, and off-road vehicles rumbling along the sand trails. It gave me that classic “back to nature” coastal feel that was both invigorating and grounding.
About a 20-minute drive from Hyannis, I set aside a full day to soak it in. The rhythm here was slower and quieter — I wandered the vast tidal flats at low tide where seabirds darted through the shallows, followed the sandy trails past rolling dunes, and caught glimpses of the remote Sandy Neck Lighthouse. Later, I cooled off with a bracing swim in Cape Cod Bay, the water crisp and refreshing compared to the gentler Nantucket Sound side.
- Location: Map & Directions
3. Veterans Beach Park - Located in Hyannis
Veterans Beach Park felt like a pocket of serenity with a strong sense of place — small, charming, and wrapped in local history. It’s not the sweeping dunes of Sandy Neck or the lively shoreline of Craigville, but instead a cozy community beach where families gather.
It had that “Cape Cod neighborhood beach” charm that instantly made me feel at home. Just a 5-minute drive from downtown Hyannis, I slipped into a slower rhythm here. I wandered along the soft sandy stretch, where the waters were calm enough for wading, watched sailboats drift across the bay, and then visited the John F. Kennedy Memorial and the solemn Korean War Memorial that overlook the beach.
- Location: Map & Directions
4. Kalmus Beach - Just minutes from Main Street
Kalmus Beach was Cape Cod’s breeziest playground — wide, sandy, and alive with the colorful sails of windsurfers and kiteboarders dancing across the horizon. Unlike the tranquil intimacy of Veterans Beach or the vast dunes of Sandy Neck, this spot buzzed with energy, carried by the steady winds off Nantucket Sound that completely won me over. It had that perfect blend of laid-back seaside relaxation and lively coastal sport that instantly drew me in.
Just a quick 5-minute drive from downtown Hyannis, I spent an afternoon soaking it up. I walked the long shoreline, where seashells crunched underfoot and the salty breeze whipped across the water. The main stretch of Kalmus faces Lewis Bay (calm, scenic, and dotted with sailboats) while the south side opens to Nantucket Sound with its rolling surf and brisk winds.
- Location: Map & Directions
5. Orrin Keyes Beach - Just a short drive from downtown Hyannis
When I visited this month, Orrin Keyes Beach felt like discovering a hidden little gem tucked right into Hyannis’s harborfront. It doesn’t have the wide sweep of Craigville or the wild dunes of Sandy Neck — instead, it’s a small, intimate stretch where locals gather, kids splash in the calm shallows, and the busy hum of Hyannis Harbor forms the backdrop. The atmosphere was cozy and familiar, almost like stumbling upon a secret neighborhood spot. Just a few minutes from downtown Hyannis, I spent a quiet morning here.
- Location: Map & Directions
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6. Sea Streets (Keyes) Beach - 5-minute drive from downtown Hyannis
Sea Street Beach — often called Keyes Memorial Beach — felt like a perfect blend of convenience and Cape Cod charm. It’s bigger and more open than little Orrin Keyes, yet still has that intimate, local flavor that makes it feel like a neighborhood favorite rather than a tourist crush. With its long sandy stretch, gentle surf, and easy access right from downtown Hyannis, it instantly struck me as the kind of place you could come back to again and again for a laid-back seaside day.
Just minutes from Main Street, I wandered down to the wide shoreline, where families were spread out with beach chairs and umbrellas, kids squealed as they splashed in the calm Nantucket Sound waters, and beachcombers strolled the tideline in search of shells. From the jetty, I paused to take in the sweeping views of Lewis Bay, dotted with sailboats catching the breeze. The whole scene had a friendly, welcoming vibe.
- Location: Map & Directions
Conclusion
After spending time at the different beaches in Hyannis, I realized each one has its own personality, and that’s what makes this stretch of Barnstable so special.
I loved that no matter what mood I was in there was a beach here that fit perfectly.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, buy the America the Beautiful Pass.
