Harwich boasts a beautiful shoreline facing the Nantucket Sound, and Bank Street Beach is one of the prettiest. Locals love the softness of the sand and the exquisite views of Nantucket across the water.
This beautiful Cape Cod beach is great for swimming, sunbathing, walking—there’s even fishing nearby off the Wynchmere Harbor jetty.
The Nantucket Sound is great for young swimmers, visitors flock to the wide sandy shoreline in the height of summer, so the 60-car parking lot can get packed.
It’s the perfect place for your family to spend the day, with lifeguards and food trucks in season, and the town of Harwich only a short walk away.
Visitor Pro-Tip: Check the Town of Harwich’s Beach Guide online before going to find out where to buy stickers. Some online resources will tell you to go to Town Hall, but in 2023 they’re available at the Community Center instead.
Resident Pro-Tip: This beach can get plenty crowded in the height of summer, so enjoy the peace and quiet of the lovely sound shore as much as you can in the off-season.
Best arrival time: Earlier the better because the beach can get busy during peak seasons. Though, late afternoon is great, too, after families start packing up.
Pros
- Swimming: This sound-facing beach has much calmer water for swimming and you won’t see many surfers here because the waves are too small.
- Sand: Locals say this is some of the softest sand and the wide-open beach offers plenty of it.
- Scenery: The panoramic views of Nantucket Sound and the island are not to be missed!
Cons
- Stickers: Obtaining your sticker ahead of time for the parking lot can be a bit of a pain (see the info you need below or on the town’s website for latest updates). However, if you’re not lugging too much stuff, you can walk from town or from one of the nearby hotels easily.
- Crowds: This is a great beach for families, but if you’re looking for a quiet, peaceful day of reading by the water, you’ll have to come in the off-season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any entrance or parking fees?
In season, you can only park in the parking lot with a sticker from the Town of Harwich. If you arrive on foot or bicycle, entrance is free. The Town of Harwich doesn’t list the price for parking stickers, but they have ample instructions about where to buy them.
Here’s the latest update on getting your parking sticker:
No Beach Stickers will be sold at Town Hall. Instead, head over to the Community Center at 100 Oak Street June 12th thru July 23rd, open 9:00 AM to 3:45 PM, seven days a week. (NOTE: The Community Center is closed on June 19th & July 4th.)
Stickers are also sold at the Chamber of Commerce, but there is an additional $3.00 fee at this location: 1 Schoolhouse Road, Harwich Port, (508) 432-1600. You can buy stickers here June 12th thru Labor Day. The COC is open 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Saturdays, and 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Sundays.
After July 23rd, stickers are sold online and at the Chamber of Commerce only.
How do I get to the beach and where do I park?
From Route 28 (Main Street in Harwich), turn south onto Bank Street and you will end up in the beach parking lot. The beach is also a short five-minute walk from Main Street, though town can be crowded as well, and parking is restricted in some areas.
Are restrooms, changing rooms and showers available?
Yes, Bank Street Beach has restrooms available for visitors. These facilities are well-maintained, handicap accessible, and located close to the beach area. The restrooms have sinks, toilets, and running water and are cleaned regularly.
Is there any food or concession stands available?
In season, Bank Street Beach has mobile concession stands, and there are several restaurants in walking distance on Main Street as well.
Are dogs allowed?
There are no dogs allowed on any Harwich beaches in season, though you are allowed to walk dogs in the parking lot.
Is the beach handicap accessible?
Yes! Bank Street is fully equipped for handicapped persons, from the easy handicap parking and restrooms to the wheelchair-accessible boardwalk and rampway down to the beach.
Fun Facts About Bank Street Beach
This beach is located just downshore from the iconic Wychmere Harbor, once known as Salt Pond.
Originally, it had no vessel-wide access to the ocean, though local fishermen tried and failed to dig a channel by hand. Salt Pond did not become the busy harbor it is today until 1887 when a channel was dug to the ocean and the jetty was built.
In the 1920s, a group of tycoons bought the land around the harbor and changed the name to Wychmere, meaning “salt lake.”
Today, Wychmere Harbor is a fun sight when filled with boats during the summer months. Fishing is also available off the jetty, and the Wychmere Harbor Beach Club is a popular and idyllic spot for weddings and events.