When summer vacationers set out for Cape Cod in Massachusetts they definitely have in mind enjoying the sun, sand and surf of its great salt water beaches. Up and down, on the inside and the outside of the long arm of the Cape there are plenty of options of large beaches and small, beaches with plenty of waves and powerful undertow as well as those that have a gentler tide for younger swimmer. But with all the advertising and talk about which beach to try, many of those who spend a week or two each year on the Cape often miss out on one of its best kept summer secrets: fresh water swimming on Cape Cod. As it turns out there are nearly as many fresh water choices as salt. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Attaquin Park When your swimming taste turns from salt water to fresh, you might want to check out the largest body of fresh water to be found anywhere on the Cape. That would be Mashpee-Wakeby Pond which can be found in the lovely Cape Cod town of Mashpee. The experience of adults swimming in singapore will be interesting and memorable. The cost of the coaching classes will be under the budget of the person.
The waters here are both fresh and safe with plenty of life guards on duty. While you enjoy your salt free swim make sure to also check out the interesting perspective you have from Attaquin Park of the intersection of two major fresh bodies of water – the Mashpee and Wakeby Ponds. It’s a sight that you are not apt to see with any frequency. Due to its size the Mashpee Wakeby Pond is one of the most popular fresh water swimming areas on the Cape, but still one of the best kept summer secrets.
Scargo Lake Another excellent fresh water option that will leave you feeling cool, refreshed and clean with no salty residue is Scargo Lake which lies off Route 6A at Scargo Hill Rd. in Dennis Village. There are actually two distinct beach areas at Scargo Lake . The area is well maintained with restrooms, a picnic area should you choose to make a day of it and playground facilities to keep the kids content even when they are out of the water. Perhaps the most naturally accommodating feature at Scargo Lake is its sandy bottom.
If you have children with you, they will be visibly pleased when they discover that they can enjoy the cool ,clean waters at Scargo Lake without having to negotiate the rocks and pebbles so often found at ocean beaches . Both children and parents will be pleased to note that at Scargo Lake, the water along the shoreline is quite shallow and much less fear inducing for little ones who want to venture in.
Grew’s Pond. Closer to Cape Cod Canal, in Falmouth, MA those wanting to enjoy the best kept summer secrets of fresh water swimming on Cape Cod will find another opportunity at Grew’s Pond. Like many of the fresh water ponds on Cape Cod, Grew’s shoreline is guarded beautifully by stands of low growing trees typical of the Cape.
At Grew’s Pond, you will find a nice sandy beach and life guards to keep a good eye on bathers. After enjoying that freshwater swim, you’ve been dreaming about , you can take advantage of the Grew’s Pond picnic sites, volleyball net or for the kids a nearby playground. Best of all, unlike the seaside beaches, parking at Grew’s is free.
Harwich Ponds While you are on Cape Cod you will discover that almost every sizeable community has one or more fresh water beach. But there are two communities where ponds seem to abound.
Mid Cape the town of Harwich is well known for its many fresh water swimming sites. Many locals make their year round residences on the lakes, and many rent them out seasonally .
The Harwich fresh water ponds include Bucks Pond, Sand Pond, Seymour’s Pond and Hinckley Pond. Perhaps the best known is the appropriately called”Long Pond” as it extends for two miles. Vacationers can enjoy swimming and a host of other water activities at Long Pond Beach. In Harwich it pays to take a lesson from the locals and enjoy the best kept summer secrets, fresh water swimming on Cape Cod.
Wellfleet “Kettle Ponds” If you have ever read Henry David Thoreau travel journal about Cape Cod you have a slight acquaintance with the “kettle ponds” in Wellfleet. As you make your way towards the end of the long arm of the Cape, in the town of Wellfleet , you can discover some 20 fresh water ponds that were carved out by retreating glaciers. The holes left behind have long since been filled by underground springs with fresh and incredibly clean water.
The largest of these “kettle ponds” are called Great Pond, Gull Pond and Long Pond. The ponds are relatively remote which means two things – it will require some effort to get there and when you do arrive you can enjoy the place in peace cause there won’t be any large crowds. If you enter by car, a town beach sticker is required for parking, but if you bike or walk in, you can enter free.
The fresh water kettle ponds are not built up and don’t provide much in the way of services. They do allow you to enjoy one of the best kept summer secrets , freshwater swimming on Cape Cod.
Cape Cod draws thousands of visitors every summer who make the trip to enjoy the great ocean beaches there.. Should you happen to be among them, enjoy the beach but don’t forget one of the best kept summer secrets, fresh water swimming on Cape Cod.
