Access

 
 
 
 

 

For the first few years following its severance, South Beach was an island, accessible only by boat. During the early 1990s, sand washing in the new inlet created a broad sandy bridge connecting the north end of the beach to the mainland. Thus, it is now possible, though not necessarily desirable, to walk out the beach from just below Chatham Light. However, it is a very long, arduous hike of at least 8–10 miles round-trip through soft sand. Parking is also a significant problem, as there is a 30-minute time limit at the Chatham Light parking lot, the only public parking anywhere near the area (though this time limit seems to be enforced only during the busy tourist season, roughly from Memorial Day through Columbus Day). Far and away the easiest means of access during the warmer months is with one of the two private ferry services operating from the mainland, or with a guided tour. Information on these various options is available below.

Two ferry services provide transportation to South Beach (as well as Monomoy island): Rip Ryder and Outermost Marine. Additionally, the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary conducts guided tours of the beach and some local bird clubs offer one or more trips annually.

The Rip Ryder ferry operates from the parking lot at the Monomoy NWR headquarters (though is not affiliated with the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service) on Morris Island, about a mile south of Chatham Light. As you enter the parking lot watch for the signs and a red van. Because parking space is limited at the refuge headquarters, ferry customers are required to park on the Morris Island causeway and be shuttled back on the red van. The ferry generally runs daily (weather permitting) from 8:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m.,  mid June through August, and on weekends during May, September, and early October. The fee to South Beach is $15-20/person, depending upon the drop-off point. For additional information check www.monomoyislandferry.com or call: 508-945-5450.

Outermost Harbor Marine operates from Outermost Harbor at the end of Seagull Lane, about a half mile south of Chatham Light, off Morris Island Road. Free parking for ferry customers is available at the marina. The ferry service operates seven days a week from 8:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m., late May through late early October. The fee is $15-20/person for South Beach, depending upon the drop-off spot. Outermost’s web site is at: www.outermostharbor.com, and they can be reached by phone at: 508-945-5858 or 508-945-2030.

One option offered by both ferries, at a somewhat higher price ($20 in 2007), is to drop you off at the southern end of the island and pick you up at the standard landing spot to the north. This cuts in half the amount of walking necessary and is well worth it, if possible. However, recent shoaling in the channel has made the southern end of the beach accessible by boat only during the higher half of the daily tidal cycle, which puts some limits on this option. Check with the ferry operators about the feasibility of this, as it varies with the tide and the ever-changing conditions.

Those who are unfamiliar with the area or the local bird life may wish to take part in a group trip, and there are several options available. Guided birding and natural history tours are offered by the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary (508-349-2615). The trips run 3-4 hours in length and cost $25-30 for Massachusetts Audubon Society members and $30-35 for non-members. Several local bird clubs, including the Brookline Bird Club, the Cape Cod Bird Club, the South Shore Bird Club, and the Hampshire Bird Club, also schedule one or more trips during the summer; check their web sites for schedules.

Another alternative for the ambitious birder is to launch a canoe or kayak from the small cove east of the Morris Island causeway (park along the east side of the causeway) — it's a fairly safe trip if there is little wind, but be sure to get the latest weather forecast before embarking and keep a cautious eye out for the extensive power boat traffic in the area!

There are absolutely no facilities on South Beach and very little cover, so be sure to drain your bladder before leaving the mainland! Portable toilets are available at the Monomoy NWR headquarters on Morris Island (at the head of the stairs leading down to the beach) and at Outermost Marine (customers only). No facilities are available at Chatham Light. Plan to carry all of the food and drink you’ll need for the day, and expect to get your feet wet; getting in and out of the boat often requires wading up to your knees. Temperatures on the beach typically average several degrees cooler than on the mainland, and can drop dramatically with a shift in the wind, so be sure to take an extra layer of clothing. Greenhead flies can be bothersome during mid-summer, and on the rare windless days the maddening No-see-ums can drive one to distraction. No matter how you get to the beach, you should expect to do a great deal of walking through soft sand and mud. The standard ferry drop-off point is about half way down the beach, well over a mile north of the prime birding flats. Getting in and out of the boats also requires a modest degree of dexterity. Those with mobility problems will find access very difficult, at best.