Chatham Beach Conditions & Surf Report

Chatham sits at the elbow of Cape Cod, an elegant town of a historic lighthouse, a working fishing fleet, and beaches where large gray seal colonies draw both wildlife-watchers and great white sharks. Scenic and upscale, it pairs classic Cape charm with some of the region's most active shark waters, so caution is essential. The North Atlantic here is cold even in summer — typically the low-to-upper 60s°F at the August peak — and cold the rest of the year. The Outer Cape has a well-documented great white shark presence tied to its seal population, so heed posted shark advisories, stay close to shore, and avoid swimming near seals. Check the safety flag and rip-current risk above, be ready for cold water, and swim near a lifeguard.