monomoy national wildlife refuge

You can see, smell, and hear the ocean from this refuge. It's very pretty, quiet, and peaceful. It's usually not busy, and you can walk the beach to paths, if you would like.

Monomoy has such a marvelous history! It is a shame that our government, in the form of The National Park Service, has chosen to over-regulate visitation rights, and has decided that "Man knows best" when it comes to which animals may choose the land as their home. Shooting Coyotes, Deer... poisoning seagulls, coddling the seal population... trying to restrict natives from shellfishing? What has become of this land we call the United States of America. I was born here in Chatham and am totally angered by the way that our beloved sandspit has been managed. I learned to drive, as a young teenager, on Monomoy. Granted, that should no longer be allowed, but the general trend has become far too restrictive for my blood.

This is a great spot any time of the year. As a matter of fact, on a cold winter day we are the only visitors in the exhibit center, and were treated to the full attention of the very knowledgable volunteer staffer. Visit the museum, walk the well-maintained paths to the beach, and enjoy a beautiful hike along the shore. (Try to time your visit at low tide to get the most out of your walk.) This is a great area for birding and seeing seals. In season, a "seal-watch" boat trip is available out of the Refuge through a local, private concessionaire. It was highly recommended; it's on our list for next time! Tip: there are other seal-watch boats trips leaving from other locations. This one departs from the area closest to where you'll see the seals and not spend a lot of time getting to the best area. (And, if you are really into seeing seals close up, visit Chatham's fish pier when the fishing boats are coming in. The fish pier has a special viewing site for visitors -- its's very interesting just to see the boats unload -- and is just a couple of miles down the main drag from the Refuge and Chatham Light.)Another tip: as others point out, don't be deterred by signs nearing the entrance of the Refuge which hint that you are in a "private" area. Keep going -- you'll be glad you did!Also, be aware that this is a National Wildlife Refuge and completely separate administratively from Cape Cod's (also spectacular) National Seashore. You won't, therefore, see this site discussed in National Seashore literature.

We visit here several times each summer by motor boat and are never disappointed with scenery that is other worldly, framed by lots of birds and the occasional seal. The channel is ever changing, but well marked when there is little fog. A rare treat.There is a commercial boat that visits from Saquatucket Harbor in Harwich Port (Perseverance) if you do not have your own boat.

Make sure you drive through the National Seashore. Even in the winter, it is so beautiful...as nice as any shore anywhere in the world.

Visitor center is full of interesting displays for adults and kids. Nice paths and beach access stairs. The park entrance is right next to a high-end private community. Signage may make you think you are driving into a restricted area but press on and you'll see the park entrance on the left.

We took the beach walk around the refuge, and it was beautiful! We were there in the Fall, so it was quiet and peaceful. The beach is lovely and you can literally walk forever it seems (and we did!). There were also many shells to pick through. Our only complaint is that there were no maps or signs to follow and we had difficulty finding our way back. But getting lost in such a paradise is not always a bad thing.

Watch for low tide and enjoy a quiet and beautiful beach walk. No crowds to contend with on this walk.

We walked along this beautiful beach today, enjoying the blue sea, white sand,Sandpipers, fiddler crabs, views of the sand bar which has been constantly changing. I walked from the visiter center to the channel that enters Stage Harbor--almost 2 miles each way. It was awesome.I have been walking here since I was a girl with my grandmother an avid birder and now I am 70. It is better not to go at high tide!

Great walks, very quiet, little hidden from the rest of Chatham. Worth checking out for a day, solo, couples, or the family. Beautiful beaches that wrap around the south side of the little town of Chatham

Not much of a trail available when it's high tide. Low tide woul be great, as next day an a boat trip saw many walking the beach area and sand bars. Disappointing, museum closed on Sunday morning and 11:30 boat trip cancelled due to not enough signups. We were close with 12, but not enough so call ahead to reserve if you only have a day or so in area and want to visit the nearby shores/bars. We did hang around hoping the boat would go, bad for tourists to hear this cancellation at last minute. Restrooms.

Need to navigate through some private residential areas, but keep on. You'll eventially end up at the Refuge, with a small information building, restrooms, and then well marked trails. We walked along the water, in the sand, and had to watch that the tide didn't catch us. Some rocks and shells and birds along the way. You are there, and walking, so may not be too exciting for young kids.

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful! I would highly recommend a visit to Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge!

miles and miles of beautiful, natural coast line. had to be mindful of the tides. some places needed no foot wear and the others needed some foot protection. so important to wear water proof shoes.

Worth visiting while in Chatham - the geography of the Island is constantly changing and very interesting; nice display of local wildlife; maps; photos plus gift shop and bathroom facilities. Stairs down to beach where you can hike the area. But watch the tides - much of it only accessible at lower tides.