First Encounter Beach
Samoset Road
Eastham, MA 02642
Telephone: (508) 240-5976
First Encounter Beach is operated by the town of Eastham, and is situated along Cape Cod Bay. This busy beach was the site of the first encounter between Native Americans and Pilgrims prior to their settling in Plymouth, hence the name. This beach shares similar attributes to other bay beaches- calm, warm water, a panoramic view of Cape Cod Bay, expansive flats at low tide, and low sand dunes.
Amenities include lifeguards and restrooms. There is no snack bar but an ice cream truck visits regularly. A large parking lot is available; visitor parking costs $5 per day.
Innkeeper Comments
If you like the warmer, calmer waters of Cape Cod Bay, First Encounter is the spot to pick. When the tide is at "mean low", you can walk out for two miles on the Bay's sandy floor -- just remember to come in before the tide catches you. Here you will spot a variety of marine life -- horseshoe crabs, blue claw crabs, razor clams, or even a pool of small fish.
Operating Season
Open All Year