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Top Beaches 2011

By , About.com Guide

9 of 11

2011 Top Beach #8: Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Coast Guard Beach - photo © Margo Tabb, courtesy of Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. Photo © Margo Tabb, courtesy of Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.
Coast Guard Beach, Eastham, is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, and the National Park Service offers ranger-guided programs -- such as hikes-- in the area.

The beach stretches for miles, has cliffs, dunes, good swimming in summer (refreshing temperatures!), body-surfing and boogie-boarding. In summer, local parking is closed and access is by a shuttle bus. (You may have to pay to park -- check TripAdvisor for visitor tips.) And check the National Park Service site for details about Coast Guard Beach: good places to see seals winter, where to see shorebirds on tidal flats.

--continue to Top Beach #9, Waimanalo Bay State Park, Oahu, Hawaii..

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