As summer swings into season on the Cape, be sure to take advantage of the best surf in New England.
For the biggest waves and best surf, look at the beaches of the Outer Cape. Marconi Beach in Wellfleet, Coast Guard Beach in Eastham, and Nauset Beach in Orleans feature expansive, flat stretches of beachfront open to the North Atlantic Ocean, creating some of the best cresting waves to surf on.
Saturday Morning
The waters off Cape Cod can be chilly, so be sure to secure a wetsuit to shield you from the temperatures. Before heading to the beach, stop into SICKDAY in Wellfleet to rent or purchase a wetsuit and other seasonal supplies. SICKDAY’s surfing instructors are available at the surf school to offer tips and advice on improving surfing skills. From there, head down Route 6 to Marconi Beach for some early morning wave action. Lower tides at this beach create exciting swells, so watch the tide cycles for the best time to hit the water.
Saturday Lunch
After enjoying Marconi Beach's surf, fuel up at the Catch of the Day restaurant back on the main road. The Sautéed Calamari is a good source of protein and can be followed by the fish tacos to round out a satisfying lunch.
Saturday Afternoon
After lunch, continue down Route 6 to Coast Guard Beach - a short, 11-minute drive. Touted as one of the best beaches on Cape Cod National Seashore, Coast Guard's shortboard swells are perfect for shallow-water surfing near the shore. Afterward, explore Nauset Light Beach, another seashore treasure just up the road on the same strip of sand.
Saturday Evening
After a day on the water, settle down for a relaxing dinner at Karoo Restaurant. A 6-minute drive up Route 6 in Eastham, this hidden gem specializes in South African cuisine that is rich in flavor and creative in their use of seafood. The Peri-Peri Shrimp, drizzled in a zesty sauce and served over turmeric rice, is a delightful, colorful entree that will satiate anyone's appetite.
Sunday Morning
Early mornings grant the best chances for low tides coming in, so head down to Nauset Beach on the Orleans border for some early morning wave action. Nauset, like all Atlantic-facing beaches on the Outer Cape, is a break-beach, so surfers can experience swells without having to worry about rocks or reefs by the shore. This beach is also a good spot for both wind-driven swells, as well as ground-driven, due to the beach’s shape, and is the perfect place to polish up surfing skills.
Sunday Afternoon
Back in town, be sure to check out some sweet surfing merch in the local surf stores. Pump House Surf Shop owner Matt Rivers recommends calling the shop for a daily surf report that gives daily wave forecasts for Nauset and Coast Guard beaches.
“Updating the shop’s surf report is part of my daily routine that gets me back on the beach every morning. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Rivers says.
The surf shop stocks boards, wetsuits, for daily rentals or purchase. Board rentals range from $20 - $30 per day. For surfers who want to take a piece of their vacation home with them, Pump House offers a variety of boards, shirts, suits, and hats from the biggest name brands.
Sunday Dinner
Wrapping up the weekend should be as rewarding as being out on the water. Stop into The Local Scoop for decadent ice cream as an end-of-day treat. For a full meal, The Knack Restaurant and Land Ho! are nearby and offer a variety of savory seafood; both fried and baked.
By Digital Content Coordinator, Greg Miller
Image Credit: Matt Rivers of Pump House Surf Shop
Massachusetts: Boston
Other States: Connecticut Maine Massachusetts New Hampshire Rhode Island
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