Great spot for sunsets! You can literally pull into the parking lot and, oh, look, there's a gorgeous sunset right there. No need to walk or hike to any special spot to see it. Great to swing by here after dinner in the area. I love walking beaches but the sand here is rather "fluffy" and loose which can make it harder to walk if you're not walking right at the waterline. There are often nice tide pools which can be warmer when it's cooler out. read more

See all

Stunning. I've been going for 40+ years, and it never disappoints. Wonderful place, especially when mid-low tide - for kids! Bring fishing nets, buckets, etc. - it's a perfect family spot. Bucolic, stunning scenery, amazing beach ... it's just a wonderful beach! read more

One of the best beaches in the area. Usually not too crowded. Sometimes there are wind surfers, which is fun to watch. Tide goes so far out you can walk for over a mile. Great for finding hermit crabs. Awesome to watch the sunset as well. read more

See all

This is my favorite bayside beach on the outer cape. They have a good amount of parking but on a sunny warm day the spots fill up very fast. At high tide it may seem like a small beach area but at low tide you can position yourself away from everyone. One of my favorite things to do other than drink and nap on this beach is to go for a long walk during low tide. The walks can extend for what seems like miles into the bay. On these walks I recommend bringing a kite, since the space is vast and perfect for kite flying, if your into that kind of thing. The area is usually very quiet before 8:30 am and after 5:30 pm with the exception of around sunset, which is the perfect location to view a sunset. read more

See all

Sweet spot to visit on the cape. Can be very busy and full during peak season but gentle enough for the little ones to play in the water without too much worry. We enjoy walking out at low tide, watching the hermit crabs and hanging with good friends. read more

See all

First Encounter Beach is, by far, the best beach in the outer cape. To get there, you just turn left at the Windmill off of 6A. Don't worry about missing it - it's the only windmill in Eastham. After a short drive through scrub pine and neighborhoods, you'll see a marsh on your left. To the right are a few more neighborhoods, then the parking lot for First Encounter comes around the bend. Outside of season parking is free, but in season it does cost to park in the parking lot during the day (evenings are free). The facilities are basic, but there are bathrooms on the site. There is a parking attendant for the day. The ice cream truck will roll around during he summer as well. The beach is stunning. Most people who come (Anna included when I took her there the first time) think, this is it? It's just a bay area beach. Then the tide heads out, and the beach extends on ... and on ... and on. A good 3/4 miles of sandbars and tide pools reveals itself as the tide washes out. The sand is soft, and you can walk out in ankle-deep water for close to a mile. Below you are sandbars and tidepools, and within the tidepools are horseshoe crabs, moon snails, razor clams, baby striped bass, seaweed, crabs, and other denizens of the sea. Back on the beach itself, you can watch the boats anchored on the ocean slowly settle to the sand as the depth goes from six feet to zero. Further down the beach is a tidal river that switches directions with the tides. Beach grass hides crabs who disappear with the water. It's hard to explain how the evenings look when the sun comes out of the clouds and shines over the tidepools. I highly recommend this beach to anyone who visits the cape; it's a must-see for any family during the day, and romantic during the evening. read more

First Encounter Beach - Evening over the beach - Beaches Near Me - Eastham, Massachusetts

Four stars if you have kids; three stars if not. We went at low tide which sets a new standard for low tide. Tons of tidal pools with hermit crabs and little fish for kids to explore. We went in the afternoon and my seven and five year old were in heaven and said it was their favorite beach ever. We walked a good long way to get to the "ocean" and it was still low. Pros: parking is $15 (good for non resident parking which is usually $20); great for kids to explore; real bathroom that you can change in and it's clean (enough); port-a-potties for when the bathroom is locked up at 4pm; parking is right by the beach - no long walks; tons of space during low tide (we didn't see it at high tide but it looks like the beach would shrink considerably); ice cream man came by; generally easy going vibe Cons: bit of a sulfur smell during low tide (think Florida); biting flies but they seem to gather in the shade (one got my husband under our umbrella) We arrived around 3:30, paid $15 to park and then saw the parking attendant leave at 4 when he closed the big bathroom. If you don't need the big bathroom to change, go a bit after 4, save the money and enjoy the late afternoon! read more

First Encounter Beach - Kids basking in one of the many little pools. - Beaches Near Me - Eastham, Massachusetts

See all

I may end up updating this review if I get to experience more of First Encounter Beach (I realized on my last visit that it is bigger than I thought - TWSS). From my low-tide experience, First Encounter Beach is hardly a beach... there's not much ocean to be had, but plenty of sand and sand flies and other insects to annoy. Bring the bug spray! That said, it is beautiful. It's the Cape, how could it not be? There are numerous sand dunes (off limits, of course) and shells to catch your eye. The sand is rocky, so you may want to keep those flippies on your footsies. I plonked myself down by a "canal" that was about four feet deep and a tad murky, but the water was warm and good for wading (just watch out for the uneven bottom!). It is a loooong walk to find any other water from where I sat near the trail at the very end of the parking lot. But, the rippling sand and all kinds of crabs and snails left behind by the waves made for an interesting stroll. I didn't see any facilities here other than a lonely porta-potty near the parking lot. There is a fee to park, but the kid fronting as a guard usually allows drop-offs, and you can bike for no charge (there are bike racks). There are also trash cans, which I found surprising, since most beaches I've been to are carry-in-carry-out, but a convenient feature none the less. This is a great beach if you are renting nearby to get your sun and sand fix, but I'd recommend heading elsewhere for a "true" beach experience. read more

First Encounter Beach - Inlet at First Encounter Beach - Beaches Near Me - Eastham, Massachusetts

See all

If I had written my review last summer, I would've given First Encounter a 5! But this summer, we went and there were a good amount of green heads- and they were relentless! My husband and oldest daughter were bitten a few times. Luckily, myself and my youngest were spared. Other than these pesky flies, First Encounter is such a nice beach for families. The sand bar goes on forever during low tide. And the water is so calm. The beach is well taken care of - very clean. There are real toilets that are kept fairly clean for a beach bathroom. The ice cream truck comes around every couple of hours and a chocolate cafe truck comes as well (serving frozen coffees/hot chocolate). I wish I can give this beach a 5. We'll definitely still come back next year- perhaps we should prepare ourselves better and carry some Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard (apparently this works real well against green heads)! And just as a reference point- we went there on the 3rd week of July. read more

Amazing amazing. Coming from San Diego I didn't expect to see a beach I liked more than back home but this place was awesome. It was so much fun walking miles out "into the ocean" when the tide went out. read more

Go after 5PM, when parking is free and at the peak of low tide...you can walk on sand islands that appear as the water recedes, and wade through shallow water between these islands. The water is warm and island sands have different consistencies: some silken, some like soft clay, while by the beach, there are patches that are rough and a bit slimy. Stay to watch the sun go down, multiple reflections of the setting sun through the waters between the islands...it's beautiful and serene... read more

See all

This is the beach!!! Convenient (a mile away from where my family lives) and beautiful! I have spent my life here so am partial. Low tide provides hermit crabs and snails to play with and sandbars to explore. High tide brings salt water that is clean and just warm enough to swim in but cool enough to subdue the sun. No waves so it's perfect for little ones. read more

See all

Absolutely gorgeous, quiet beach. 20$ parking. Beautiful to lounge around and explore low tidal pools especially during low tides

Our favorite bay side beach. While the water is clearer at corporation beach the environment is lacking. I described a trip to first encounter as going to Disney but sitting at corporation beach is the midway at the fair. Even without a snack bar or showers the view and the tidal pools make it all worth it. It's great with littles too because the tidal pools at low tide are perfect read more

We were very excited to watch the sunset from the beach. However as soon as we unloaded the car the sand fleas, or some other tiny bug, attacked. Trillions of them. It was awful. We tried to move away but the swarm followed our every move. They were in our noses, ears, hair, everywhere!! This may have been an awesome experience as the tide was out and you could explore the dunes pretty far out into the bay. The sunset from the car was just as beautiful though. Too bad we couldn't enjoy it as we planned. If it weren't for the attack bugs, this would be a really beautiful and tranquil place at sunset. read more

Low tide is a very interesting time here. The tide goes so far out that you can't really swim, but it's crazy how vast the beach suddenly becomes. Sandbars and tidepools galore! Fun to explore. High tide is pretty typical. You know, swimming, small waves. Nothing to write home about. Still a nice time. Greenhead season here is rough. Be prepared to be bitten, a LOT. Fortunately that's only about a two week period in mid July. As for sand fleas? Those don't bite, more of just bother, and they hang around all summer. And for those of you who don't spend much time in beach environments, know that bugspray does NOT feign off greenheads or sand fleas, I'm sorry to report! Overall, this is an okay beach. P.S. Thanks to reviewer Alex F. for the history lesson! read more

Was there Memorial Day Weekend 2011. Best spot to catch a gorgeous sunset! read more

First Encounter Beach - Sunset at First Encounter Beach - 5-29-11 - Beaches Near Me - Eastham, Massachusetts

See all

Great beach if you have little ones. No big waves, and a great low tide that lets you walk all around and catch hermit crabs. During the week it's also not super packed. read more

If I had not been visiting in Eastham, I wouldn't have gone to visit the beach at sunset. However, since I was in close proximity, we did and had fun walking out during low tide. I wouldn't go back, but happy that uexperienced it and got some great pictures. read more

First Encounter Beach - Beaches Near Me - Eastham, Massachusetts

Best bay side beach in Eastham! Always very clean and well maintained. Plentiful parking and walkways to the beach, many with rubber walk ways to make for an easier trek over the dunes. read more

This is a large, beautiful beach, where we had no problem parking on a weekday when all of the East Dennis and Orleans lots were full. At low tide the water goes way out, so you really can't swim, but there are lots of creatures to explore, and little children would love all of the tide pools. It should be a lovely walk out to the water and back, but some areas are not sandy, they are muddy and unpleasant to step in, hence not 5 stars. I have never visited at high tide, but as the parking lot is flat and adjacent to the sandy area where people sit, I think it is a great choice for anyone who can't walk far. Just be sure to check the tide before going, because low tide would be impossible. The two parking lot attendants were very friendly - great choices to be greeting people. Some of the prior reviews mentioned bugs, but I didn't see any at all. The bath house is tired and in need of a renovation, but at least there is one and it was clean on the day I visited. read more

The bayside of Eastham is beautiful. The bath water is heavenly warm, but the greenbacks are murderous. My advice to the town of Eastham; spend some of the money you make on the exorbitant $20 (daily) parking fees and get rid of them. read more

A perfectly fine bay beach on the Cape. Not a ton of space at high tide, but plenty as the water goes out. There are permanent bathroom facilities, nothing fancy but it works. Regularly visited by ice cream trucks and coffee trucks. read more

First Encounter Beach - Low tide - Beaches Near Me - Eastham, Massachusetts

See all

Pack a picnic, choose a bottle of wine and grab a blanket to settle down for one of the best sunsets on the Cape. First encounter delivers them most nights, amazingly to a relatively sparse crowd. So sparse you might feel like you have the beech to yourself! read more

This is a great beach for kids. At low tide you can walk out onto the sandbars for what felt like miles. There are lots of crabs and fish to find and the water is shallow and warm for the kids. No changing area and only a porta-potty but the parking lot is close to the beach and that is a perk! Love this beach! read more

typically way too packed during the summer. the side where bees river is, is the best location. because of the river and the bay you get a perfect location to swim in regardless of the tide. a local favorite. read more