You could spend a whole week at 35 Powers and never leave the beach — and plenty of our guests do exactly that. But when you're ready to explore, our stretch of Cape Cod's Nantucket Sound side has more packed into a few square miles than almost anywhere else on the Cape.
"I've been a Cape Cod lover for a long time and have enjoyed the beautiful beaches of Yarmouth for many years. I'm an active surfer, jet skier, and boater myself — so when I recommend something on this list, it's because I've actually done it." — A note from your host
Here's what's worth your time, organized by how far you're willing to walk (or drive) from the house.
Right Outside Your Door: The Beach
Our private, gated stretch of white sand on Great Island Ocean Club is the reason most guests book — a quarter-mile of quiet, clean beach that never feels crowded because it isn't public. If you want more sand to explore, Seagull Beach (one of Yarmouth's most popular public beaches) and Bass River Beach are both a short drive away, and both are worth the trip on a calm day.
Beach chairs, umbrellas, and kids' beach toys are all included with your stay — see the full list on our amenities page.
On the Water: Jet Skis, Parasailing & Boating
If you're into watersports the way our host is, head to the marina area along Route 28 in South Yarmouth, where a cluster of outfitters run jet ski rentals, banana boat rides, and parasailing trips right out on Nantucket Sound — a fun half-day for teenagers and adults alike. It's also where you'll find Skippy's Pier I, a working marina with waterfront dining (more in our dining guide).
Family Fun & Mini Golf: Pirate Country
A few minutes down Route 28 in South Yarmouth is what locals call "pirate country" — two attractions built around the same shipwreck:
- Whydah Pirate Museum — a hands-on museum built around real artifacts recovered from the Whydah, a pirate ship that sank off Cape Cod in 1717 and was rediscovered in 1984. Expect coins, cannons, and a working conservation lab where you can watch artifacts being preserved in real time. Best for older kids and adults; plan on an hour or two.
- Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf — two 18-hole mini-golf courses just down the road, built around waterfalls, footbridges, and a half-sunken pirate ship you can see from Route 28. It's been a Cape Cod summer tradition since 1983 and is genuinely fun for every age.
- Skull Island Adventure Golf & Sports World — another mini-golf course nearby, plus a driving range, arcade, and go-kart track with electric karts for kids and adults.
- Cape Cod Inflatable Park — a short walk from the house, this is exactly what it sounds like: a big inflatable obstacle course and bounce park, great for burning off energy on a non-beach day.
History & Culture: The Kennedy Connection
Hyannis, about 10–15 minutes away, was the Kennedy family's "Summer White House," and the town has built a real cultural district around Main Street:
- John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum — housed in the old Hyannis Town Hall on Main Street, with galleries of photos, films, and family artifacts covering JFK's decades of Cape Cod summers. There's a self-guided Kennedy Legacy Trail walk that starts at the museum.
- HyArts Cultural District — the umbrella for Main Street's galleries, public art, and walking trails, worth an hour of wandering even if museums aren't usually your thing.
Hyannis Main Street & the Harbor
When you want shops and restaurants instead of sand, Main Street Hyannis is the move — a walkable strip of boutiques, ice cream shops, and restaurants that gets lively every summer evening. Follow the Walkway to the Sea from Main Street down to Hyannis Harbor, where you can watch the ferries come and go, browse the harborside shops, or just enjoy the evening light over the water.
Ferries, Whale Watching & Deep-Sea Fishing
Hyannis Harbor is also your gateway off-Cape. Two ferry operators run out of the harbor:
- Hy-Line Cruises — high-speed and traditional ferries to both Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, plus their own sightseeing cruises, sunset cruises, and fishing charters.
- The Steamship Authority — the other major ferry line to Nantucket, including the high-speed M/V Iyanough (about an hour each way).
Both islands make an easy day trip, and if you'd rather stay on the water than go anywhere in particular, Hyannis Harbor is also the departure point for whale-watching cruises and deep-sea fishing charters chasing striped bass, bluefish, and tuna out on Nantucket Sound.
Drinks & a Meal With a View
For an evening out, Captain Parker's Pub on Route 28 has been a West Yarmouth institution since 1981, best known for its award-winning New England clam chowder and a big outdoor patio overlooking Parker's River. We cover it, along with our other favorite spots, in the full dining guide.
FAQ: Getting Around West Yarmouth
How far is the beach from 35 Powers?
Our private beach at Great Island Ocean Club is about 35 feet from the door — you can be in the sand in under a minute.
Can I rent a jet ski or go parasailing nearby?
Yes — several outfitters along the Route 28 corridor in South Yarmouth rent jet skis and run parasailing and banana boat trips right on Nantucket Sound, generally a short drive from the house.
Is there a ferry to Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard from near the house?
Yes. Both Hy-Line Cruises and the Steamship Authority run ferries from Hyannis Harbor, about 10–15 minutes from 35 Powers, to both islands.
Is this area good for kids?
Very. Between the private beach, Pirate's Cove and Skull Island mini golf, the Cape Cod Inflatable Park, and the Whydah Pirate Museum, there's a full week of kid-friendly activity within a 10-minute drive.
Do I need a car to get around?
It helps. Most attractions above are a short drive rather than a walk, though Hyannis Main Street itself is very walkable once you're there.
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