Best Kept Summer Secrets: Fresh Water Swimming on Cape Cod

When summer vacationers set out for Cape Cod in Massachusetts they definitely have in mind enjoying the sun, sand and surf of its great salt water beaches. Up and down, on the inside and the outside of the long arm of the Cape there are plenty of options of large beaches and small, beaches with plenty of waves and powerful undertow as well as those that have a gentler tide for younger swimmer. But with all the advertising and talk about which beach to try, many of those who spend a week or two each year on the Cape often miss out on one of its best kept summer secrets: fresh water swimming on Cape Cod. As it turns out there are nearly as many fresh water choices as salt. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Attaquin Park When your swimming taste turns from salt water to fresh, you might want to check out the largest body of fresh water to be found anywhere on the Cape. That would be Mashpee-Wakeby Pond which can be found in the lovely Cape Cod town of Mashpee.

The waters here are both fresh and safe with plenty of life guards on duty. While you enjoy your salt free swim make sure to also check out the interesting perspective you have from Attaquin Park of the intersection of two major fresh bodies of water - the Mashpee and Wakeby Ponds. It's a sight that you are not apt to see with any frequency. Due to its size the Mashpee Wakeby Pond is one of the most popular fresh water swimming areas on the Cape, but still one of the best kept summer secrets.

Scargo Lake Another excellent fresh water option that will leave you feeling cool, refreshed and clean with no salty residue is Scargo Lake which lies off Route 6A at Scargo Hill Rd. in Dennis Village. There are actually two distinct beach areas at Scargo Lake . The area is well maintained with restrooms, a picnic area should you choose to make a day of it and playground facilities to keep the kids content even when they are out of the water. Perhaps the most naturally accommodating feature at Scargo Lake is its sandy bottom.