Cape Cod, MA
Orleans
About Orleans
Living in Orleans
Orleans sits at the elbow of Cape Cod where the bay meets the ocean, offering exceptional fishing, kayaking, and a walkable town center full of independent shops.
Orleans is where the Mid-Cape turns north toward the Outer Cape, and it is the commercial center of the Lower Cape. It touches Cape Cod Bay at Rock Harbor, the Atlantic at Nauset Beach, and Pleasant Bay and Town Cove in between.
East Orleans has homes near Nauset Beach and the marshes, South Orleans sits along Pleasant Bay with protected water for sailing and kayaking, and the village center offers homes close to shops, restaurants and services. Waterfront property ranges from bayside sunset views to homes on the coves of Pleasant Bay.
Rock Harbor is home to a charter fishing fleet and some of the best sunsets on the Cape. Nauset Beach is a long Atlantic barrier beach, and the Orleans Firebirds play Cape League baseball at Eldredge Park.
Areas to Know
- Orleans Village
- East Orleans
- South Orleans
- Rock Harbor
- Pleasant Bay
At a Glance
Active Listings
Orleans Homes For Sale
Education
Local Schools
Orleans Elementary School
Nauset Regional Middle School
Nauset Regional High School
Private Communities
Gated Communities & Enclaves
Tonset Road Estates
$1.5M – $6MA discreet enclave of larger properties along Tonset Road offering water views, deep lots, and proximity to both Nauset Beach and Rock Harbor.
Lifestyle
Parks, Activities & Things To Do
Nauset Beach
A legendary 10-mile barrier beach on the open Atlantic, consistently ranked among New England's most beautiful beaches.
Rock Harbor
A historic harbor and charter fishing destination, famous for its deep-water striped bass and bluefin tuna fishing.
Crystal Lake
A pristine freshwater kettle pond in the heart of Orleans offering swimming, kayaking, and trout fishing.
Skaket Beach
A calm bay-side beach with brilliant sunsets, warm tidal flats for children, and access to kayak launches.
Academy of Performing Arts
A vibrant community theatre and performing arts school offering year-round productions and classes for all ages.
Buyer Questions
Buying a Home in Orleans
Is Orleans a good year-round town?
Orleans is the main shopping and services hub for the Lower Cape, with grocery stores, medical offices and restaurants open all year, which makes it a practical choice for year-round living.
Which beaches are in Orleans?
Nauset Beach is the town's Atlantic beach, Skaket Beach and Rock Harbor are on Cape Cod Bay, and Pleasant Bay offers calmer water for boating and swimming.
What is Pleasant Bay?
Pleasant Bay is a large protected estuary shared by Orleans, Chatham, Harwich and Brewster, sheltered from the ocean by Nauset Beach and popular for sailing and kayaking.
Location
Explore Orleans
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