So you’ve already booked a vacation rental and checked out the nearby attractions, and now it’s time to pack for your trip. (For those of you who still need to find a house or read about the area, First Vacation Rental has lots of information.) Although everyone has different needs and wants, here’s a packing list of essential (or highly recommended) items to get the most out of your Cape Cod vacation.

• Sunscreen. Sunscreen is good for avoiding painful sunburns and also for long-term skin health. Beware of some conventional sunscreens– recent studies have suggested that certain active ingredients could be harmful. For this reason, you might want to look into buying a “natural” sunblock that uses Zinc Oxide or Titanium Oxide to block the sun. Sunscreens that use Zinc or Titanium are called “physical barrier” sunscreens or sunblocks. Natural sunscreens are more expensive and don’t spread as thinly (they sometimes leave a white layer), but may be worth using in the long run. You can evaluate the toxicity of sunscreen ingredients at Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database.
• Sunglasses and hat or beach umbrella. In Cape Cod the summer sun is blazing! The sun’s rays are even harder to withstand when they’re coming at you from all angles by bouncing off the water and sand.
• Bathing suits. You might want to bring two. That way you can change into a dry one in between a morning outing to the pond and an afternoon trip to the beach.
• Book, e-reader, or other reading material.
• Comfortable walking shoes. Sneakers, shoes, or hiking boots that are comfortable to walk in will make hiking or walking a trail a more enjoyable experience.
• Deck of cards. Good way to pack a lot of fun and games into a tiny space.
• Beach toys. Great for kids, and grown-ups too! How about a ball to throw around on the beach or in the pond, or some paddles to play paddleball.
• Breakfast. A little planning pays off. Here’s the scenario: You wake up, you’re hungry, and you don’t feel like driving anywhere right away (after all, it’s vacation!). It’s nice to have something like cereal or yogurt to tide you over till lunchtime. If the house where you’re staying isn’t close to a supermarket it might make sense to buy food on your way to your vacation rental on your first day.

Optional:

• Board games. Does your group like to get together around the dining room table and play a board game after dinner? Do you enjoy just staying home on a rainy day to play Monopoly? Some vacation rental homes on the Cape have a few board games on the shelves, but you might want to bring your own to be safe.
• Beach shoes. Special beach shoes with rubber bottoms and mesh tops are designed to protect your feet from sharp shells and stones. They’re especially useful for walking in water that’s a few inches deep in the bay. You can often get them at convenience stores.

The beaches in Wellfleet have parking lots, but to park in them you’ll need a beach sticker. There are two kinds of stickers: a Resident Beach Sticker and a Visitor’s Beach Sticker.

Visitor’s Beach Sticker

If you’re on a summer vacation in Wellfleet, you’ll need to get a Visitor’s Beach Sticker.

Proof of Stay

To get a Visitor’s Beach Sticker, the first thing you’ll need is a proof of stay. This is a document that proves you’ll be residing in Wellfleet. You’ll have to ask the owner of the house where you’re staying– he or she can give it to you.

Other Requirements

Besides the proof of stay, you’ll also need to provide the following:

1. Vehicle registration for each vehicle
2. Payment of about $75 for one week (you can also get 3-day, 2-week, or seasonal permits)

If your car is leased, is a company car, or has dealer plates, you’ll need to provide documentation to prove you are the owner. See the complete eligibility rules and requirements.

Bring these documents to the Wellfleet Town Pier, located at 255 Commercial Street. Your beach sticker will enable you to park at all the public beaches in Wellfleet.

Resident Beach Sticker

Residents of the town of Wellfleet can apply for a Resident Beach Sticker. You’ll need to bring vehicle registration for each vehicle plus means of payment. For more information, see the town document on rules.

More information

Town of Wellfleet Beach Administration

Town of Wellfleet Website

There was a LOT of erosion on the ocean side beaches of Wellfleet this winter. Some, like LeCount Hollow, now have a HUGE vertical drop. Also, there’s damage to the parking lot, and a house now precariously hangs off the edge. What’s it going to be like this summer? Will some ocean beaches be closed off? If so, that might make the remaining ones more crowded. Over on the bay beaches – Mayo and Duck Harbor – I did not notice any change from last year. They still look great.

If you’re looking for places to take kids in Wellfleet, you’re in luck. In fact, Cape Cod is overall a very accessible place for children. It’s a very popular summer vacation destination, where families rent vacation houses in week-long increments and play at the beach together.

Beaches and Ponds

You should definitely spend a day at one of Wellfleet’s ocean beaches. The water will be cold, but kids will have fun braving it. Bringing a boogey board is a definitely good idea, but not absolutely necessary. Sand castle anyone? Don’t forget the beach chairs, towels, and sunscreen. (Check out all the Wellfleet beaches.) Wellfleet’s ponds don’t have waves but are better places to go for a traditional swim. Long Pond has a raft that kids can swim out to, climb onto, and jump off of. In recent years the raft has drifted a little. Gull Pond is large and has docks and a roped-in area.

Trails and Sports

There are a bunch of walking trails and bike trails in this part of Cape Cod. One of the best places for children is Great Island. On Great Island you’ll find interesting surroundings, including tiny Fiddler crabs that scamper in and out of holes in the sand.

If you have a basketball, there are public courts by the Wellfleet Pier. Tennis courts are nearby.

Ice Cream

Also situated at the pier is a small building that sells food and ice cream, including banana splits and brownie sundaes. You can walk along the beach to get there. Kids love to walk when it’s to get ice cream!

Dancing at Wellfleet Pier

Square Dancing

The town puts on square dancing at Wellfleet Harbor one night a week in the summer. (In 2009 it was Wednesdays during July and August from 7 – 9:30pm.) The square dancing takes place in the Mayo Beach parking lot, right next to the Wellfleet Pier.

Mini Golf

The mini golf in Wellfleet is right off Route 6 (map). There are 18 holes.

Drive-in Movie

Right next to the mini golf course is a parking lot for the flea market and drive-in movie theater. The drive-in plays back-to-back feature films at night. It’s usually a thrill for kids. The first film of the night is always geared toward a younger audience. Read more about the Wellfleet drive-in.

Rainy Day

If it rains, there are still a handful of indoor activities in Wellfleet. Additionally, you can take the kids to the Wellfleet Library.

1. It’s the Outer Cape. There are 15 towns on Cape Cod.  Driving over the Sagamore bridge, the Cape is a 75- mile long sand bar extending east and then north into the ocean. It gets narrower as you approach the tip.  The last 4 towns, where it’s the narrowest – Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown – are known collectively as the ‘Outer Cape.’  If you’re on the Outer Cape, you’re standing on a continually shifting strip of sand that separates Cape Cod Bay from the Atlantic Ocean.

Marconi Beach, Wellfleet

2. Cape Cod National Seashore. 40 miles of beach.  40,000 acres of land.  Most of it in Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown.  About half of all of Wellfleet is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. It’s a beautiful piece of protected land.

3. The Ponds. Wellfleet has a collection of rather unique ‘kettle’ ponds.  These are small round ponds with pristine water.  None allow motorboats, so they are quiet and great for swimming. They’re also good for beginning kayakers. Gull Pond has boat rentals; the others do not. Our family favorites are Long Pond and Duck Pond.  It’s a 10 minute walk down a dirt path to get to secluded Duck Pond.

4. The Ocean Beaches. Marconi,  White Crest, LeCount Hollow, Cahoon Hollow, and Newcomb Hollow.  All exquisite.  Go to Marconi and you can walk the adjacent Atlantic Cedar Swamp Trail. Also check out Marconi Station where Gugliermo Marconi  sent a wireless message to the King of England in 1903.  (“Can you hear me now?”) White Crest is the designated surfing beach.

5. The Bay Beaches. Slightly warmer water than the ocean beaches, less wind, and calmer waves make Wellfleet’s bay beaches a toddler’s paradise. Remember that it’s very tidal and every day there are 2 High Tides and 2 Low Tides.  You’ll benefit from a tide chart.  Around high tide is great for swimming.  Explore and collect seashells at low tide.  Wellfleet’s bay beaches are MADE for kayaking.  If you don’t own one, rent at Jack’s Boat Rental.  My favorite bay beach is Mayo, because right next to Mayo Beach are 3 restaurants, an ice cream/burger/fried clam counter,  fishing excursions, and Mac’s, a fresh seafood market.  Indian Neck is nice too for the sunsets and to walk out on the jetty.

6. Art Galleries. There are SO many art galleries in Wellfleet that it’s sometimes called the ‘Art gallery town.’  Most of the galleries are located on Main Street and E. Commercial Street.

7. The Town Center. Next door Truro doesn’t really have a town center and neither does Eastham.  Wellfleet’s town center still has the feel of an old fishing village.  It has some small  shops and restaurants but hasn’t been commercialized the way, say, Chatham has.

8. World famous oysters. You didn’t know that Wellfleet oysters are world famous?  Eat them fresh from Mac’s, dine at the Wicked Oyster restaurant, or eat on the front porch of the Bookstore and watch how they’re shucked.  You’ll be steps away from where the oysters were raised and harvested.

9. The Wellfleet Drive-in. A drive-in movie theatre may not be the best place for serious movie-watching, but if you or your family members have never experienced a drive-in, it’s a unique experience.

10. The W.H.A.T. Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre.  Last year a 2^nd theatre was completed, which I haven’t been to. The original WHAT is at the Pier.  I’ve been to several shows there over the years. It’s such a small theatre that all the seats are close to the stage.  It can be intense.

Wellfleet isn’t a big, crowded city. Even in summer, when vacationers pour into all the towns of Cape Cod, you won’t have much trouble if you’re seeking solitude in a quiet place. But where should you go if you’re looking for a busier kind of atmosphere, the kind of place where people tend to gather?

Mayo Beach

During the day you can head to Mayo Beach, which is popular due to its natural beauty and convenient location next to the Pier. It’s frequented by families and retirees. In fact, all the Wellfleet beaches attract a fair share of people during the summer.

Flea Market

The Wellfleet Flea Market brings together a diverse group of people looking to shop for unusual items and good bargains.

Beachcomber

The Beachcomber is a bar and restaurant located right on Cahoon Hollow Beach. You might see a few young professionals at the bar, plus there are always people eating in the restaurant at dinner time.

Bombshelter

The Bombshelter Pub is unique because it’s open year-round. For this reason, it attracts a mix that includes Wellfleet locals as well as vacationers. People convene to play table games or throw back a glass of brew.

Check out more restaurants and beaches in Wellfleet, MA.

This summer I took a kayaking trip to Jeremy Point in Wellfleet, MA from a beach in Wellfleet Harbor, which is part of Cape Cod Bay. My starting point was near Powers Landing, which is a good place to launch a boat into the water. I used a kayak from the vacation rental I was staying in, but kayaks can be rented from Jack’s.

My friend and I carried the 2-person kayak from the house to the beach. Since it was low tide, we had to carry it a little further than we would have had to at high tide. We climbed into the boat and set off, wearing life jackets of course.

As we approached Jeremy Point, I could see that part of the sand mass was above water and part of it was below, so the water depth got much shallower as we neared. We stopped paddling and drifted peacefully up to the shore of Great Island, leaving our kayaks there for a short rest. The sandy area near Jeremy Point that we stopped at was pleasurably quiet and seemed like the perfect place to escape to. There was roughly a football field of sand exposed while we were there, but the size is always changing depending on the tides. We stopped for long enough to watch the creatures that live around Jeremy Point (birds and crabs) and to enjoy the sun and tranquility. Resting at this spot was a satisfying reward for our paddling.

Standing on the beach of Great Island near Jeremy Point, we could see high sand dunes in the distance. When we were done with our break, we started kayaking towards them, but the tides and wind seemed to keep us away, so we decided to give up and head home. Since the wind was at our backs on this leg of the journey, the return trip took less time.

We were both beginning kayakers, but quickly got the hang of it. It probably took us at least an hour to get out near Jeremy Point, but it was hard to tell– the time flew by. Paddling the open water is very relaxing. The trip is suitable for a wide range of ages, so a family could have fun doing it. Kayaking is a great workout. I could tell that I’d exerted muscles that I normally don’t use. The next day my upper back was sore, which actually felt good.

Kayaking: Places to kayak in Wellfleet

There are activities for all ages in Wellfleet. One of the great things about this small Cape Cod town is that it has a little of everything. Although Wellfleet is small (and many parts of it are quiet), there are plenty of fun things to do.

Wellfleet, MA

Swimming

If you like to swim or just relax by the water, there are many places for you to choose from in Wellfleet. The Atlantic Ocean can be accessed by multiple beaches on the coast of Wellfleet. Marconi Beach has dunes and a nice view. Surfers often choose White Crest Beach because the waves are a little fiercer than some of the other beaches. For a calmer experience, try the bay. Mayo Beach is a popular bay beach. Because Wellfleet is near the tip of the Cape, you can boogey-board at the ocean and take a dip in the bay without ever leaving Wellfleet! For fresh water swimming, Wellfleet has an assortment of ponds, such as Gull Pond.

Boating

If want to navigate the sea by boat, there are a variety options. You can rent a boat at Jack’s and hit the water. Kayaking and sailing are both great activities for good weather.

Walking

Wellfleet has a bunch of walking trails to connect you with nature. You can also walk along one of Wellfleet’s many ponds or ocean beaches. If it’s windy, fly a kite!

Biking

The Cape Cod Rail Trail runs through Wellfleet. It’s an excellent path to bike on. Another good one is the Head of the Meadow bike trail.

Shopping

You can buy art at one of Wellfleet’s many art galleries. For those in your group with a sweet tooth, there’s fudge and candy in the center of town. Wellfleet has its very own flea market that operates three days a week in the summer. Although it’s not the best place to find tons of new and mainstream goods, it is a good place for unusual items, such as old advertisements and memorabilia. For a more traditional shopping experience, you can drive one town over to Provincetown.

Dining

Positioned right beside the ocean, Wellfleet is a fantastic place for fresh seafood. Mac’s Shack is near the town center and the Sweet Seasons Restaurant is at the Inn at Duck Creeke. Winslow’s Tavern is nice and somewhat upscale. PJ’s, which is more of a family restaurant, is right on Route 6.