Lecounts Hollow Beach
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Flat
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Lecounts Hollow Beach is an exposed Atlantic beach break on the Outer Cape, shaped by towering sand dunes and strong, variable ocean conditions. The water is described as clean, and surfing is generally consistent, with low tide commonly noted as the best window. Peaks can be shifty and the site is naturally punchy—fast rides often end in heavier shore break when it gets overpowered. For wave direction and swell, sources emphasize northeast-linked energy (with east/SE swell also noted) and a peeling wave shape. On the bigger sets, surf can turn heavy and may close out more easily, so conditions should be evaluated carefully before committing. The beach is also characterized by high rip-current risk and potentially dangerous rips, making it critical to assess the water and stay aware of exits. Wind sports require extra planning because conditions depend strongly on direction and because summer periods bring added restrictions when lifeguards are present and when beach sections are roped off for piping plover nesting. Kitesurfing is described as possible—often best on NE winds (side-onshore)—but dedicated kite guidance and infrastructure are limited, and exposure/shore break make it more suitable for more experienced riders. Safety and cold-water readiness are central here: Great White Sharks are described as common, particularly when seals are present, and local guidance recommends not going alone. Lifeguards operate seasonally (late June through Labor Day), and outside those periods rescue availability is limited—so check beach/park alerts and only enter when you’re confident you can manage the rips and surf intensity.
- Exposed Cape Cod beach break with consistent surf
- Low tide commonly noted as best for waves
- NE winds highlighted for kiting opportunities
- Towering dunes and steep access from the parking area
- Seasonal lifeguards and piping plover nesting closures
- Exposed but consistent Atlantic beach break with good wave quality
- Works year-round for surfing, with low tide commonly noted as best
- Strong natural setting with clean water quality
- NE winds are highlighted for kiting opportunities (when conditions and access allow)
- High rip-current risk and dangerous rips
- Heavy/exposed shore break can be punishing
- Steep, dune-based access can be difficult
- Cold water year-round
- Seasonal restrictions for lifeguards and piping plover nesting can limit wind sports
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Sources describe mixed/frontal wind patterns; kiting and surfing conditions vary with direction and shoreline exposure.
- Reliability
- reliable during spring and fall storm cycles
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Gusts reported up to roughly 14–15 m/s (about 27–30 knots) in wind-direction guidance.
- Best Months
- March, April, May, September, October, November
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sand dunes and sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Surf sources also describe it as producing anything from small to medium conditions depending on swell.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Heavy shore break is reported; chop severity can increase with swell.
- Launch
- Medium — Steep sand ramp/path from parking to beach; beach area can be wider at low tide depending on dunes/sand.
Through the year
Crowded in summer with swimmers and surfers; quiet in winter and shoulder seasons.
Late autumn and winter bring frequent Nor'easters; late summer to early fall can bring residual storm activity.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Kitesurfing is possible but not consistently documented as a dedicated kite destination in every guide; where it works, it is best on NE winds. Conditions can be challenging because of exposure, shore break, and restriction periods during summer lifeguard coverage.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Wave sailing is described as possible in cross-shore winds, though less popular at this exact location compared with kitesurfing due to shore break.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.5 m²
Possible but challenging due to heavy shore break and deep water start requirements.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Described as limited.
- Min Depth
- 2 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed Atlantic beach break with consistent waves that can work year-round. Conditions are tide-sensitive (often best at low tide) and can produce shifty peaks; rips/shore break must be respected.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- E, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open ocean beach with minimal natural shelter; heavy shore break reported.
- Wind Effect
- West or northwest winds provide cleaner, more offshore-feeling conditions for surfing; one provider notes best with west winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and more prone to closing out on very large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Reported as good; can handle significant swell but may get heavy on the bigger sets.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Surf guidance describes conditions as powerful/exposed with strong shore break at times.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Reported as medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Fast, punchy rides; many end in a heavier shore break.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, punchy rides that often end in a heavy shore break.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Lecounts Hollow Beach in the full forecast view.
Lecounts Hollow Beach wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–18 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- WNW285°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2718 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.4 m6s period
- Temperature
- 8–15 °C
Over the next 7 days, Lecounts Hollow Beach is forecast for daytime winds of 2–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 0.3–1.4 m with a period of about 6s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- High rip-current risk / dangerous rips
- Great White Sharks (commonly present; risk increases when seals are present)
- Heavy shore break
- Cold water
- Seasonal piping plover nesting closures (sections roped off)
- Dunes and steep access creating difficult/unsafe approach for some visitors
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards operate in the summer peak period; outside that, rescue availability is limited.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is described as limited with seasonal lifeguard coverage.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major hospital reported as Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis; emergency number is 911. Lifeguards are seasonal and coverage is limited outside summer hours.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Managed by Cape Cod National Seashore; seasonal beach restrictions (including piping plover nesting closures) can apply. Kiting and other wind sports are generally restricted during the summer swimming period when lifeguards are present.
- No kiting in swimming areas during periods when lifeguards are present
- Seasonal bird nesting closures from spring into summer (piping plover roped-off sections)
- No dogs in season
- Swim near a lifeguard and ask about current conditions before entering water.
- Avoid kiting alone due to shark presence; if seals are active, stay out of the water.
- For kiting, the beach is best on NE winds (side-onshore).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Wellfleet, Massachusetts
- Nearest Town
- Wellfleet
- Parking
- Fee/permits required during summer peak; off-season parking is typically free/first-come. A large parking lot is described at the top of the dune with many spaces; no guarantee during peak season.
- Access
- Access via a steep path/steep sand ramp down from the parking area over/among dunes to the beach; significant walking and steep descent required.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous seasonal rentals, motels, and cottages in/around Wellfleet.
- Food & Drink
- Seasonal snack bars in Wellfleet; year-round restaurants in town center.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available directly at the beach; equipment is available through local shops in Wellfleet (and nearby Orleans).
- Gear Storage
- Limited gear storage; riders typically rely on vehicle storage or seasonal rentals.
- Gear Repair
- Minor surfboard repairs available through local shops; major kite/sail repairs require travel.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Lecounts Hollow Beach?
The best overall months at Lecounts Hollow Beach are September, October, November, May, June, July, August. The best wind months are March, April, May, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Lecounts Hollow Beach?
Lecounts Hollow Beach works with NE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Lecounts Hollow Beach?
Recommended equipment sizes at Lecounts Hollow Beach: Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is Lecounts Hollow Beach suitable for?
Lecounts Hollow Beach suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.