An Edenic Wildlife Refuge, Monomoy Island Is The Great Hidden Gem of Cape Cod

With its ever-changing coastal landscape and scenic beauty, Monomoy Island has officially been declared one of The Gemmies in the United States by our team of local travel experts. The 2025 Gemmies are a collection of destinations that are a true representation of their state. To experience these gems is to know the heartbeat of their American locations and we think they are all worthy of a visit.

If you grew up anywhere in New England, you know that Cape Cod is the top summertime vacation destination. With the soaring sand dunes of the Cape Cod National Seashore, pristine beaches, miniature golf, ice cream shops, seafood, and popular small towns like Provincetown and Chatham that are known for their resorts and shops, there are plenty of things to keep us busy, especially in the summer months. And while most visitors to the Cape tend to visit its most popular spots, there are many hidden gem destinations, one of which I want to share with you.

To give you some background, my dad has lived on Cape Cod for several years now and I visit for at least a month, sometimes two months, every summer, and again for a week or two in the winter. Cape Cod is a slice of heaven and a sanctuary for my soul. While it can get crowded and hectic with day trippers and vacationers during the summer, there are some quiet spots that only locals know about. And I am lucky to spend time here each year experiencing life like a local.

To me, one of the peninsula's best-kept secrets is, perhaps, Monomoy Island. It's a hidden gem on Cape Cod that's found off the coast of Chatham, one of the Cape's top destinations. However, those of us who visit Monomoy at the height of the summer tourist season can find a bit of solitude walking along its gorgeous stretches of sand.

Monomoy Island is a barrier island off the coast of Chatham, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. Its landscape is ever-changing due to storms, erosion, and the tides, and, aside from locals, not many outsiders seem to know about it. This is also an important refuge that protects important habitats for migratory birds, horseshoe crabs, and seals. In fact, Monomoy is a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network Regional site and an Important Bird Area! A hike or a boat tour will give you an up-close-and-personal look at the protected wildlife in the area.

Monomoy Island along with Morris Island, Monomoy Light, and the lightkeeper's house are all part of the 3,500-acre Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. So, how do you get here? Well, I'll tell you, it's certainly off the beaten path away from the Main Street and to the south of Chatham Bars Inn.

There's a lookout located on Morris Island at the southern end of town at 30 Wikis Way. While you can find stunning vistas from here, you may want to get out and explore the wildlife refuge for a while, and I urge you to do that if you can.

When you arrive on Morris Island, you will be in a private neighborhood. However, if you're here to visit the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, there is a right of way to travel the roads. Once you see Morris Lighthouse, bear left onto Morris Island Road and look out for signs for the refuge. A limited number of spots are available at the vistor center's parking lot.

One option you have is to take a hike along the 1.7-mile Morris Island Loop Trail with beautiful vistas in every direction. This will give you a glipse into the sheer beauty of this area. It's also quiet and serene, and an excellent area for wildlife viewing. North Monomoy Island Trail is another option. Keep in mind that you will be walking mainly in the sand in any part of the refuge, so keep that in mind. I have to say, it's quite a workout but worth it if you're able to make the trek.

If you don't want to hike, there are boat tours available, like a seal cruise from the family-owned Monomoy Island Cruises. It is estimated that between 30,000 and 50,000 gray seals swim through the waters surrounding Monomoy, and with the uptick in the seal population in recent years, great white sharks have been spotted. Who knows, maybe you'll see a great white shark when you take a boat tour!

Chatham is a wonderful Cape Cod beach town destination that offers everything from shopping and dining to resorts, beaches, and nature. If you need a nature escape, especially at the height of the tourist season, I suggest spending a few hours at Monomoy Island. Download the AllTrails+ app for a hiking map and directions to the trailhead at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge.

Have you experienced this gem of a destination yet? From Hawaii to Virginia, you’ll want to discover all of the incredible destinations featured in The Gemmies.