Kwoo

Hello,
My mother, sister & I are planning our annual 1 night/2 day getaway to the Cape sometime in June. We usually go to Wellfleet, but this year we thought we'd try some place different. My sister suggested going to Sandy Neck Beach in Sandwich, or is it Barnstable? However, I heard from some people that it is very rocky. My 82-year old mother does not want to walk across rocks/pebbles, etc. Is Sandy Neck Beach too rocky & difficult to walk on?
Thanks.

cw

I haven't been in a few years but used to go all the time to Sandy Neck. The beach area near the parking lot and concession stand building is quite rocky. Not all rocks but you have to clear an area of rocks in order to lie down on a towel. Bring your chairs, which you'd probably do for your mother anyway.

So it's a mixture of rocks and sand, but you need sturdy shoes to walk on it.

I think it gets sandier towards the "neck" but that's way too far to walk and that's where the off-road vehicles are. It's good for a day trip but I wouldn't make it a destination beach, and it's a little jarring to have the power plant on the canal as part of your view.

(I think it's in Barnstable but you get there through Sandwich.)

Kwoo

Thanks, cw, for your detailed response. Based on what you have said, I don't think we will go to Sandy Neck. My mother does like Skaket Beach in Orleans (I let her choose, in deference to her age!), so maybe we will go there for a change of scenery. We have had a routine of staying in Wellfleet, which we love, & going to Herring Cove Beach & Mayo Beach. Just looking for something different this time. We stayed at the Skaket Beach Motel many years ago, so I might look into that.

cw

Kwoo, Skaket Beach sounds like a good alternative and change of scene. Since you like Herring Cove and Mayo Beach, I don't think Sandy Neck would be a good fit.

Enjoy the getaway. It's such a good time to go to the Cape before the summer crowds are all around.

Bowsprit

If you haven't already, visit either Nauset Beach in Orleans and the Coastguard Beach in Eastham for a change of scenery too. For a beautiful walk and wonderful views, consider visiting the Chatham Lighthouse Beach on Shore Road in Chatham. It's beautiful and you'll see seals (perhaps some sharks soon). Skaket Beach is also one of my favorites. Enjoy!

MareW

I love the Chatham Lighthouse beach referenced above, but you have to go down a flight of steep steps to get to the beach. At the bottom there's a fairly long walk (for an elderly person) across the sand to get close to the water. If she wanted to actually go for a walk, she would have to "trudge" through deep sand, and there's often a rather steep drop off. Skaket sounds perfect for your situation.

Enjoy your time with your Mom!

Bowsprit

re. Chahtham's Lighthouse Beach: Deep sand? Never noticed and I've walked that beach my entire life in all its configurations. The beach is wide, no need to go trudging far from the stairs.

The bigger challenge at the Lighthouse Beach is actually the parking...it's limited at that parking lot during certain hours.

Kwoo

I appreciate everyone's advice. If we stay at Skaket Beach Motel, we could probably stop by Chatham on our way home. We love Chatham, too, & try to make a stop there if we have the time. Then we could check out the Lighthouse Beach & see if my mother thinks she could handle the walk. Is Lighthouse Beach by the Chatham Bars Inn?

Bowsprit

If you're coming from Orleans on Rt. 28 into Chatham, go past the Chatham Fish Pier on the Left (also worth a stop midday to see the seals follow the fishing boats in for a 'treat') and continue past Chatham Bars Inn on Shore Road.

Continue through the stop sign and you'll see a 'lovely' chartreuse painted house on the right (it's a long story...). Continue past that house and you will soon come upon the Lighthouse on the right and the parking lot for the beach directly across the street on the left. Parking time is limited to 15 minutes and the parking police mean business!

sobster

Commodore Inn /Motel-West Harwich Cape Cod-i minute from Earle Road Beach-No rocks

Kwoo

Sobster, thanks for the tip about the Commodore Inn. I checked it out, & it looks lovely, our type of place. I called them & they don't have any rooms available when I think we would be going. We also plan our trip according to the weather reports, so we make our reservation literally at the last minute. They do have a room available for one night before June 25, their high season, so I might take a chance & hope it's available as it gets closer & we hear weather reports. I may have to do some juggling but it looks like the Commodore is worth it.

If we end up at Skaket Beach Motel, I think we will go to Skaket Beach one day, & then either Earle Road Beach or Red River Beach in Harwich the next day. We want to try at least one beach we haven't gone to before.