Beaches
The Cape Cod National Seashore allows bonfires on the beach, but only with a permit, and you must apply for the permit in person at the Province Lands Visitor Center. You can apply for your permit up to three days in advance, and pick it up by 3:30 on the day you’ll use it. There are no bonfires allowed on town beaches
Herring Cove Beach in the Cape Cod National Seashore actually comprises several beaches. Turn right at the guard shack after you pay for admission for beach access close to parking. Turn left at the guard shack and you’ll find:
- Everyone-Welcome Beach: At the end of the parking lot is a path leading down to the water. The name is a misnomer: this is really an everyone-friendly beach.
- Boys’ Beach: Cycle out, park your bike with all the others across from the Moors, and take the path in. Either way, it’s a hike. Clothing is required on all National Seashore land, but the rule is often ignored here. BE PREPARED for the trek out to Boy Beach. It is about a 30-40 minute hike out and can change conditions based on whether the tide is in or out. Some folks think this is an amazing hike and others feel like it is a trudge through hell. It’s up to you to decide. Bring water and some snacks. It is not a quick excursion. It is most certainly worth the effort for the beauty of “all” things boy beach has to offer. You can also park at Herring Cove parking lot and walk to the Ocean, take a left, and keep going about a half hour. At high tide this is the easier walk.
Race Point Beach, also in the Seashore, is past the airport on Race Point Road. This is a particularly family-friendly beach. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle and want to get a permit to drive in the dunes, this is where you’ll be able to do that.
Town beaches: You can access the town beaches on either side of MacMillan Pier or through labeled access points strategically placed throughout town. This is a great way to take a little break from a long day of shopping or sightseeing in the town!
Long Point Beach: You can’t drive to this beach: it’s an adventure to get here! You can either walk across the breakwater on the West End of town or you can take a water taxi across Provincetown Harbor. Since it is harder to get to, it is a quieter, more secluded beach that offers a wonderful view of town and has its own lovely lighthouse.
Hatches Harbor Beach: If you want to visit a more marshy, grassy part of town, Hatches Harbor (and the walk there) is the right place for you! You park just past Herring Cove and walk along the fire road through the salt marsh. It’s a very photogenic area so be sure to take your camera!
Pools
Want the water without the sand? There are public swimming pools with free admission at the Crown & Anchor, the Provincetown Inn, and the Boatslip. All have cocktail bars and serve food from the inns’ respective restaurants.
Want to Play?
Basketball, tennis, and pickleball are all available. There are two public outdoor basketball courts in Provincetown, both of them on Bradford Street; one is in the East End and one in the West End. The Provincetown Tennis Club features five green clay courts and two synthetic grass courts. Public tennis courts are located at Motta Field.