Every guide is a signal flag, strung on three lines: rentals and stays, getting there, seasons and beaches. Pick the flag for the part of the trip you are planning.
Line 1Rentals & StaysRenting a summer house, the taxes on a rental bill, state park camping and yurts, and choosing which town to base yourself in.
A AlfaRenting a summer houseRenting a Cape Cod Summer HouseHow short-term rentals on Cape Cod are regulated, how to check that a cottage is registered with the state, what belongs in a rental contract, and why the deposit and the cleaning fee are treated differently.6 min readB BravoRental taxes and feesCape Cod Rental Taxes ExplainedA line-by-line guide to the taxes on a Cape Cod vacation rental bill: the state room occupancy excise, the local option rate, the Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund excise and the community impact fee, with a worked example.5 min readC CharlieCamping and yurtsCamping on Cape CodWhere to camp on Cape Cod in the state park system, what Nickerson, Shawme-Crowell and Wellfleet Hollow charge in 2026, how the four-month booking window works, and the cancellation, firewood and pet rules to know before you go.5 min readD DeltaChoosing a townChoosing a Cape Cod Town for Your Summer BaseCape Cod has 15 towns, and the right base depends on what you want to reach: the island ferries, the National Seashore, the Rail Trail or the train. A practical comparison with NOAA climate normals for five Cape weather stations.5 min read
Line 2Getting ThereThe island ferries, the Sagamore and Bourne bridges, the CapeFLYER train and fare-free buses, and the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
E EchoIsland ferriesFerries to Martha’s Vineyard and NantucketHow the Steamship Authority ferries from Woods Hole and Hyannis work: crossing times, 2026 passenger, bike and car fares, why cars need reservations, how standby and the wait list work, and where to park on the mainland.5 min readF FoxtrotThe canal bridgesCrossing the Cape Cod CanalEvery car trip to Cape Cod crosses the Sagamore or Bourne Bridge, both 91 years old. What the canal is, who owns the bridges, where the Sagamore replacement stands after the September 2026 request for proposals, and how to make the crossing part of the trip.4 min readG GolfCape Cod without a carCape Cod Without a CarA car-free Cape Cod summer is realistic if you plan around the weekend CapeFLYER train, the regional transit authority’s fare-free bus routes, the island ferries and the bike paths. Schedules, fares and the catches.4 min readH HotelThe Rail TrailBiking the Cape Cod Rail TrailThe Cape Cod Rail Trail runs about 25 paved miles from South Yarmouth to South Wellfleet. Where to park for free, the 15 mph limit and other trail rules, the Massachusetts helmet law, e-bike basics and the Eastham maintenance closure through November 30, 2026.5 min read
Line 3Seasons & BeachesWhen to go, the National Seashore beaches and their passes, sharks and rip currents, and fishing and shellfish permits.
I IndiaWhen to goThe Best Time to Visit Cape CodPeak summer, early June or September? A month-by-month comparison built from NOAA climate normals, measured Woods Hole water temperatures, National Seashore lifeguard dates and the Steamship Authority’s seasonal car fares.4 min readJ JuliettNational Seashore beachesCape Cod National Seashore BeachesA guide to the six Cape Cod National Seashore beaches from Eastham to Provincetown: what the 2026 entrance fees and passes cost, why you cannot pay cash or buy passes at visitor centers, what each beach has, and the dog and dune rules.4 min readK KiloSharks and rip currentsSharks and Rip Currents on Cape CodWhite sharks hunt gray seals close to shore on the Outer Cape, and rip currents form even on calm days. What state shark researchers have learned, what the purple flag means, and the National Park Service’s advice for swimming, paddling and escaping a rip.5 min readL LimaFishing and shellfish permitsFishing and Shellfishing on Cape CodSaltwater fishing, freshwater pond fishing and digging clams on Cape Cod each need a different permit from a different office. The 2026 state fees, who is exempt, why shellfish permits come from each town, and how to check emergency shellfish closures.4 min read