The Break at North Beach, Chatham

Map to Break at North Beach Chatham

Directions: The break lies due east of Minister's Point in Pleasant Bay (Google satellite view does not show it as of August 20, 2007). Access is either by boat from Pleasant Bay or by driving over sand (permit required) from Nauset Beach in Orleans. Note that channel heading east of Minister's Point has less than 2' water at dead low tide (8/2007)
Activities: boating, fishing, surfing, clamming, swimming (away from break area itself - beware of strong currents flowing into and out of Pleasant Bay)
Anchorage: approx 1/4 mile southwest of the Break there is 5'+ water at low tide.
State: Massachusetts
Town: Chatham
Facilities: None
Safety: No lifeguards

Description: Four days of strong northeast winds and waves in April 2007 created a break in Chatham's North Beach (an extension of Orleans' Nauset Beach). The Town of Chatham considered and rejected the idea of filling it in - the consensus was that another storm would just open it up again. In the summer of 2007 the Break offers a beautiful, wild and varied beach area. On the Pleasant Bay side the water is calm and shallow. On the ocean side there are waves. The tidal current running into and out of the Break is very strong (approx 2-3 mph at times). Unwary swimmers could be easily swept into deep water on either side.