The Ponds of Brewster and Harwich

When you're looking to fill a day by the water on the Lower Cape, your first instinct might be to visit one of the region's oceanside beaches.

After all, Cape Cod has a wonderful maritime tradition, and spending your days lounging in the soft sand is one reason why you'd want to live here in the first place.

At the same time, the ocean might not call your name each and every day, but luckily, there are other options available.

In Brewster and Harwich, you'll find a variety of ponds to explore, each of which has unique attributes and an atmosphere all its own.

The ponds of Nickerson State Park get much of the attention on the Lower Cape, but there are other options, as well. There is a cluster of ponds right on the border between Brewster and Harwich that provides an excellent place to relax on a hot summer's day.

Here's what you should know about these ponds and how to access them.

Long Pond

The largest pond in this area is called Long Pond, and it will provide you with multiple options if you're looking to spend some time there.

On the east side of the pond, you'll find Wixon Memorial Beach, also known as Cahoon Beach Landing. This beach has a roped-off swimming area, and there is a lifeguard on duty in the summer. The water is warm and shallow, and there's plenty of space because of the beach's large size. There is also a canoe and kayak launch and a parking area.

You'll find picnic tables and washrooms at Wixon Memorial Beach, too, making it a great place to head for the day with the kids.

On the south end of Long Pond is the Long Pond Beach and Boat Ramp. This area also features a large sandy area, a sizable parking lot, and a seasonal lifeguard.

You can put larger vessels in the water from this beach, too, thanks to its paved boat launch.

On the north side of the pond is Long Pond Brewster Beach, which is smaller than the other two beaches, but has a nice parking area, lifeguards, warm, shallow water, and even a dock that you can jump from into the water.

Keep in mind that you'll need a Harwich beach sticker to leave your vehicle at Wixon or Long Pond Beach and a Brewster sticker for Brewster Beach.

Black Pond

Just across the street from Long Pond Brewster Beach is Black Pond, a tiny body that is mostly surrounded by residences. This pond makes the list because of its fishing, as despite its small size, you'll find an abundance of bass, trout, perch, catfish, and crappie here.

Because homes surround the pond, you'll have to use caution when putting your boat in the water to ensure that you're not on someone's private property. The area along Crowells Bog Road is your best bet.

Seymour Pond

Across Route 124 from Black Pond is Seymour Pond, a medium-sized body with a couple of different access points.

First, there's the east side of the pond, which features as small beach along Pleasant Lake Avenue and the Cape Cod Rail Trail. The beach is popular with cyclists, and there are even bike racks to use during your visit. Keep in mind that the beach doesn't have a full parking lot, making it difficult to access with a vehicle.

There are other access ponds where you can put a boat in the water on Beachwood Drive and Tracy Lane. Obey any signs that you see along the way because most of the properties in those areas are private.

Hinckleys Pond

You might find it a little challenging to get to Hinckleys Pond because it doesn't have a public parking lot or beach. If you're able to ride your bike along the Cape Cod Rail Trail to this destination, however, you're sure to find a quiet place to spend a few hours.

Residential properties mostly surround this pond, but those who are lucky enough to buy a home in this area can experience one of the Cape's most serene environments.

Sheep Pond

Sheep Pond is a little more happening than Hinckleys because of its bustling beach.

On the southwest end of the pond, you'll find Sheep Pond Beach, which is small but has a paved parking lot, washrooms, and a picnic area. The beach also features a boat launch, so you can put your vessel in the water to try your luck.

The parking lot at Sheep Pond fills up quickly in the summer, so get there early if you're planning to make a day of it.

Get Out on the Lower Cape

As you can see, the area where Harwich and Brewster meet is full of great activities, so you don't have to head to the ocean to have some fun in the sun.

The area also has Griffiths Pond, Greenland Pond, Cahoon Pond, Mill Pond, Walkers Pond, Hawksnest Pond, and Olivers Pond, which have varying degrees of access.

This section of the Lower Cape is often overlooked by people who don't live in the area, but it provides yet another way to get out there and enjoy the outdoors this summer.

Just remember to check which town you're in before parking your vehicle to ensure you have the correct beach sticker.