A sandy beach with dunes covered in grass under a partly cloudy sky, and a calm body of water in the distance.
Text quote that says 'Sunrise to Sunset - The most beautiful way to spend a day on the Cape' on a black background.

Did you know that the unique geography of Cape Cod allows you to enjoy both Sunrise AND Sunset over the beach? There are many amazing sights and activities on the Cape, but choosing the right time for each one can make the difference between having a great time and having one of the most amazing days ever. If you want to make your visit even more special, perhaps to commemorate a birthday, celebrate an anniversary or even propose to that special someone, check out our suggestions below!

Purple flowering plants, likely lupines, growing along a garden fence with a wooded background in sunlight.
Sunset over the ocean with grassy shoreline, sandy beach, and reflections on water.
Close-up of a seashell with orange and white stripes.
The word 'Morning' written in elegant pink cursive font on a black background.
A boat on calm water during sunset or sunrise with orange and yellow sky. Equipment on the boat includes antennas and radar.
A boat on calm water during sunset or sunrise with orange and yellow sky. Equipment on the boat includes antennas and radar.
A sailboat with white and red sails on the water.
A white lighthouse with a red roof adjacent to a white building labeled 'U.S. Coast Guard' with several windows, set against a clear blue sky during sunset.

SUNRISE at Lighthouse Beach in Chatham

Check sunrise time the night before, and plan on arriving at least 30 minutes prior to sunrise for the best rays. Whereas sunset is accessible to everyone, few people are brave enough to get up really early for sunrise. Those who do, though, are rewarded with stunning views, often shared with local wildlife (we have seen both fox and deer on this beach at sunrise, as well as seals in the water) and nobody else. Make sure to bring some extra layers or a beach towel and bug spray, as early morning can be chilly and buggy, then either sit and enjoy or walk along the beach as the sun breaks the horizon.

  • Tip: Park just above the stairs that lead to the beach. No parking permit is needed before 9am year round.

  • Bonus tip: You really do need to arrive 30 minutes before sunrise. Once the sun is above the horizon, the show is over; the magic all happens prior to sunrise.

Close-up of a dessert plate featuring a slice of strawberry shortcake with fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and edible flower garnishes.
Close-up of a dessert plate featuring a slice of strawberry shortcake with fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and edible flower garnishes.

EARLY BREAKFAST on the back porch of Sea Meadow Inn.

Enjoy the continental breakfast starting at 7:30, or rise even earlier to enjoy a cup of coffee all by yourself, listening to the birds and watching butterflies flit among the hydrangea, daylilies and coneflowers. Then order your main dish - sweet or savory, all prepared fresh - and savor each bite overlooking the gardens.

Spend your MID-MORNING whale watching with Dolphin Fleet out of Provincetown.

Lasting 3-4 hours and guided by experienced naturalists, these tours take place in refuges where female whales bring their calves to feed. They play in the surf, jumping and flipping in the boats’ wakes, leading to spectacular visits that are sure to be a highlight for years to come.

Stylized text that reads "Afternoon" in cursive font with a greenish color.

Take the AFTERNOON to enjoy one of the Cape’s beaches

Explore the iconic National Seashore or, for a freshwater experience, visit Nickerson State Park instead. You can hike around Cliff Pond, then go for a swim or rent canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards to explore the pond from the water.

Two people in canoes on a body of water, with a tree-lined shoreline in the background and a clear blue sky overhead.
Sand pathway flanked by tall green grass leading to a beach with calm ocean and a clear blue sky, with two people in the water.
Inside a car, with two people in the front seats. The driver is holding their hand up and touching the open sunroof, while the passenger is looking out the window. The car is on a road with green trees visible outside.

Spend MID AFTERNOON relaxing at the Sea Meadow Inn

Rinse off in the outdoor shower, then read a book or take a nap on the hammock under the giant maple tree in the backyard. As the hammock gently sways, you’ll be hypnotized by the dappled sunlight filtering through its leaves; the flit of butterflies across the hydrangeas, daylilies, and lavender; and the soothing songbirds high up in the tree’s crown.

Backyard scene with trees, a hammock, a birdhouse on a pole, a white deck with stairs, and several lounge chairs on a grassy lawn.
Green backyard lawn with small white flowers, surrounded by dense green bushes and trees, with a white tennis net in the middle.
A colorful butterfly with orange and black patterned wings, featuring dot and eye-like markings.
Boats docked at a marina on a calm body of water with a dog standing on the dock and a clear blue sky overhead.

Soak up GOLDEN HOUR at Gray's Beach

Take a walk across the marsh on this beautiful boardwalk in Yarmouth Port. The boardwalk provides stunning views of the marsh and its many natural inhabitants, including ospreys. 

  • Tip: make sure to bring bug spray!

The word 'Evening' written in elegant, cursive font in dark green color.
Sunset over a beach with a bright sun and a rainbow-like rainbow, people walking on the sand and near the water, grassy areas and water channels.
Sunset over a beach with a bright sun and a rainbow-like rainbow, people walking on the sand and near the water, grassy areas and water channels.

Have DINNER at Sesuit Harbor Café

Enjoy their incredible clam chowder, lobster rolls, grilled corn on the cob and other specialties while watching the boats in the harbor. Keep an eye out for one of the sunset harbor cruises featuring their full menu from the water. 

  • Tip: expect long lines and cash-only payment, but know that the food and view are well worth both inconveniences.

Fireworks explode in the evening sky, with dark clouds and a sunset in the background, reflected in a body of water below.
A girl standing on a sandy path in tall grass near the beach at sunset, with a colorful sky and a bird flying in the distance.
Cream-colored soft serve ice cream in a waffle cone
Sunset over a rural road lined with trees and utility poles, with cars parked near buildings in the distance.

SUNSET at Paine’s Creek Beach

If you’ve already had dinner, walk down to Paine’s Creek Beach for one of the most spectacular bay-side sunsets that the Cape has to offer. The unique mix of river + marsh + rock wall + ocean and gorgeous sunset combine for stunning photos and a memorable event unlike any other. 

  • Tip: even in season, parking at the beach after 4pm is free, but the lot is tiny and fills quickly. The 15-minute walk from the inn is highly recommended, just be careful with the cars on 6A.

  • Bonus Tip: Stop by at the Cape House on the walk over for some yummy ice cream - our favorite is the Chocolate Peanut Butter Ripple!

ENJOY THE STARS by the Sea Meadow Inn fire pit

On your way back from Paines Creek, stop by Luke’s to pick up your preferred BYOB. Sit at the Sea Meadow Inn fire pit, enjoying your drink and watching the fireflies in the garden as the light disappears. Once it does, on a clear night you’ll enjoy incredible stargazing. In keeping with the Dark Sky movement, we have carefully selected the outdoor lighting in the Inn backyard to provide just enough light to see without disturbing the wildlife or the view of the night skies. 

  • Tip: During the Perseid Meteor Shower (each year mid-July through late August), keep an eye out for shooting stars!

Blue embroidered star patch with intricate stitching and border detail.
Outdoor table with a fire feature, flames burning among rocks, surrounded by chairs and trees.
A garden scene at dusk with blooming orange and pink lilies in the foreground, a wooden house with a shingled roof on the left, and a large leafy tree to the right against a sky transitioning from purple to pink.

…or spend the EVENING with a National Seashore Bonfire

Have a fire on the beach at the National Seashore, toasting s’mores and watching the stars overhead while the waves crash around you. Only a handful of beaches, including Marconi Beach, Nauset Light, and Coast Guard Beach, allow fires, and only a few permits a day are given for each of these, making it a truly special event. Plan on arriving at your assigned beach at least half an hour before sunset to set up your supplies while there’s still light.

  • Tip: 3 days ahead of time (not more, not less) at 9am, go in person to the National Seashore Visitor Center to get your permit. Don’t be late! They go quickly, and it’s the only way to snag one.

  • Bonus Tip: We highly suggest bringing the proper implements for success: 2 bundles of dry firewood, kindling and/or paper to get it started, a fire poker and/or tongs, flashlights, a bucket (to collect ocean water to put out the fire), beach chairs and towels, bug spray, long wooden skewers, and s’mores ingredients.

  • Bonus Tip 2: To avoid getting soaked in the dark, fill your bucket before the sun sets. Pre-soak your s’mores sticks in [fresh] water for an hour to keep them from catching on fire.

A beach at sunset with a small campfire burning in the sand in the foreground, and the ocean and colorful sky in the background.
A small campfire burning in a fire pit or sand, with glowing embers and flames around the logs.

About the Sea Meadow Inn: A boutique, 7-room bed and breakfast located in Brewster (inside the ‘elbow’ of Cape Cod). The Sea Meadow Inn was originally built c. 1780 by sea captain Isaiah Clark. Today, we focus on providing luxury accommodations, delicious garden-to-table breakfasts, and being a ‘home away from home’ for Cape Cod explorers of all kinds. Whether you are an annual Cape visitor or exploring it for the first time, we want to help you make the most of your trip. 

Looking for information on a topic not included here? Just ask! Perhaps we’ll include it in a future post.

You can also refer to our ever-growing google map of recommendations, which includes restaurants, beaches, thrift stores and so much more!