Monomoy Island, Barrier island in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, US.
Monomoy Island is a sandy barrier extending offshore from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with broad beaches and shallow tidal zones that shift constantly. The landform encompasses protected harbors, salt marshes, and dunes that support diverse coastal wildlife.
A settlement took root around 1710 on the island, growing to roughly 200 residents until a major hurricane in the 1860s devastated its harbor. This event led to the gradual abandonment of the human community living there.
The island supported a tight-knit fishing community that depended entirely on the sea for their survival and trade. Remnants of their daily life, including old buildings and work structures, remain visible to those who explore the landscape.
Access to the island requires taking a boat from Chatham on the mainland, as there is no bridge or causeway connecting it to shore. Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant visiting conditions, with calmer waters and abundant bird activity.
A severe winter storm in 1978 split the island into two separate sections that remained disconnected for many years. Later coastal movements in 2006 reunited the southern section with the mainland.
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