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 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/person. 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/person for South Beach. 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 is to drop you off at the southern end of the island and
pick you up
at the standard landing spot to the north, the fee for which is $20/person; this cuts in half
the amount of walking necessary. Rip Ryder charges $15 for this (with a minimum
of 4 people), while Outermost Harbor Marine charges $20 (no minimum number of
people).
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. Insects are seldom a problem,
though greenhead flies can be bothersome during the mid-summer. No matter how you get to the
beach, you should expect to do a fair amount of walking through soft sand and
mud. The standard ferry drop-off point is about half way down the beach, a mile
or more 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.