Access

For the first few years following its separation, 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 presented below.

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

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 October. The fee is about $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, at a higher price, is to be dropped off at the southern end of the island, then picked up at the standard landing spot to the north later in the day. This cuts in half the amount of walking necessary and is well worth it, if possible. However, recent shoaling in the channel has made access to the southern end of the beach tenuous, 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.

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 ferry signs. Because parking space is limited at the refuge headquarters, ferry customers are usually required to park on the Morris Island causeway and be shuttled back by 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 ranges from $15-$25/person, depending upon the drop-off point. For additional information check www.monomoyislandferry.com or call: 508-237-0420 or 774-722-1336.

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 about $30-$35 for Massachusetts Audubon Society members and about $35-$40 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, usually 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! Public toilets are available at the Monomoy NWR headquarters on Morris Island. At Outermost Marine toilets are available for 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 (increasingly so, as the salt marsh expands), 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.

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All images and content Copyright Blair Nikula. All rights reserved.