Best Beaches in Hyannis, MA
Searching for the best beaches in Hyannis, Massachusetts to visit on your next day trip or vacation? Well, you are in the right place! I think that Hyannis, set along Cape Cod’s southern coast, is home to some of the most inviting beaches on the East Coast. With soft sands, calm waters, and a welcoming seaside atmosphere, it’s the kind of place that keeps us coming back year after year since moving to the East Coast. Here are the beaches I recommend, and I hope you’ll enjoy them too.
1. Craigville Beach, Barnstable - 20 minutes from Hyannis
Stretching along Nantucket Sound, Craigville Beach is one of the most inviting stretches of shoreline in Barnstable. I think it’s one of the absolute best beaches in Hyannis! We checked into 3-star Hyannis Travel Inn for two care-free days.
We started our New England weekend getaway driving into Hyannis, MA, near Barnstable, feeling excited because Craigville Beach was on our list as one of the best beaches around.
Just a quick 10-minute drive from downtown Hyannis brought us to Craigville Beach.First thing we did was park nearby and walk down toward the sand, and right away the ocean felt like magic and kind of a hidden gem vibe.
The beach itself was wide, with soft sand and families setting up early, which made it feel like a joyful family experience.
We laid our towels down and just took it all in, thinking this might actually be my favorite beach on Cape Cod so far.
After that we went straight for a swim. The water was cool but refreshing, and honestly it felt amazing for such a popular area.
Later we walked along the shoreline, seeing sailboats in the distance.
By midday we grabbed snacks and relaxed more, and it felt like the absolute best way to spend a family weekend getaway.
We watched kids flying kites and couples strolling, and the whole scene felt warm, joyful, and kind of like a summer dream.
As the afternoon went on, the light got softer and the water looked spectacular, honestly one of the coolest beach moments we’ve had.
Before leaving we sat quietly, thinking how this place is truly a gem and one of the best beach experiences in Massachusetts.
What I loved best:
Lingering into the golden hour when the sunset painted the water with streaks of rose and lavender was my favorite highlight.
2. Sandy Neck Beach - 15 minutes from Hyannis
Ready for a classic Cape Cod escape? This beach if one of my favorites for a wilder, more rugged side of Cape Cod. The beach is 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.
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.
- Location: In Barnstable, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod Bay, extending along the Sandy Neck barrier beach and dunes
- Map & Directions
What I loved best:
Swimming in Cape Cod Bay was my favorite highlight, then heading for a nap in my vacation rental for seven days.
3. Veterans Beach Park - Located in Hyannis
I adored this place that 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, and then visited the John F. Kennedy Memorial and the solemn Korean War Memorial that overlook the beach.
- Location: In Hyannis, a village of Barnstable, Massachusetts, on Lewis Bay along Cape Cod’s south shore
- Map & Directions
What I loved best:
Watching sailboats drift across the bay was my favorite highlight.
4. Kalmus Beach - Just minutes from Main Street
Chris and I both absolutely love Kalmus Beach, and have been many times. Stretching along Nantucket Sound with wide-open views, this feels like one of Cape Cod’s most effortless coastal escapes. I thought this was Cape Cod’s breeziest playground — wide, sandy, and alive with the colorful sails of windsurfers and kiteboarders. 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.
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: In Hyannis, Barnstable, Massachusetts, on Nantucket Sound near the entrance to Lewis Bay
- Map & Directions
What I loved best:
The perfect blend of laid-back seaside relaxation and lively coastal sport instantly drew me in.
A downside? Parking for non-residents can be costly in the summer.
5. Orrin Keyes Beach - Just a short drive from downtown Hyannis
This place felt like discovering a hidden little gem tucked right into Hyannis’s harborfront when I visited this month. 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. Just a few minutes from downtown Hyannis, I spent a quiet morning here.
- Location: In Hyannisport, Barnstable, Massachusetts, facing Nantucket Sound along Cape Cod’s south shore
- Map & Directions
What I loved best:
The atmosphere (of course!) - cozy and familiar, almost like stumbling upon a secret neighborhood spot my favorite highlight.
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6. Sea Streets (Keyes) Beach - 5-minute drive from downtown Hyannis
I think this is one of the best beaches in Hyannis for a quiet, close-to-town escape. This 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.
First thing we did was park close by, which felt like a brilliant idea because this beach is one of the most affordable and easy beaches to reach in town.
Walking onto the sand was an experience and the soft beach and calm water instantly gave us that vacation magic feeling, like a little Cape Cod dream.
We dropped our towels and took a slow walk along the shoreline, and it felt underrated compared to bigger beaches but honestly it was the absolute best vibe.
The views across Lewis Bay were spectacular, boats drifting by, kids laughing, and couples enjoying a romantic moment which made it feel very family friendly too.
After that we went in the water, which was shallow and warm, making it one of the most amazing and safe swims we’ve had all summer.
We sat back and relaxed, talking about how this beach is such a cool and unique spot so close to downtown Hyannis yet still peaceful.
Later we grabbed snacks and just people watched, and this was easily my favorite part because the energy felt joyful and exciting without being crowded.
As the afternoon rolled on, the light got vibrant and beautiful,.
We ended the day watching the sunset.
What I loved best:
The friendly, welcoming vibe was my favorite highlight.
For me, Sea Streets Beach is one of the best beaches in Hyannis, MA because it's relaxing and unique!
I loved that it's just minutes from Main Street. From the jetty, I paused to take in the sweeping views of Lewis Bay, dotted with sailboats catching the breeze.
Booking Checklist
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