West Island Town Beach
Splash in the clear waters of Buzzards Bay at West Island Town Beach in Fairhaven. Located along the crescent-shaped southern shore of West Island, this town beach attracts lots of locals in summer and throughout the year. The beach is surrounded by acres of protected forest and salt marshes, which offer more opportunities for wildlife watching and long walks through nature.
Note: This summer, due to concerns about COVID-19, the town has closed the beach to non-residents. Also, only season and walk-in passes are offered; no day passes are available.
Features
West Island Town Beach is a fun place for kids to explore the shallows for hermit crabs and other creatures.
Set next to the windswept salt marshes of West Island State Reservation, West Island Town Beach in Fairhaven is a destination for people who love the outdoors. West Island sits in the open waters of Buzzards Bay – about as far into the middle of the Bay as you can go without a boat!
In summer, families flock to West Island Town Beach to swim and play. Kids can splash in the calm waters, which are lifeguarded from June through August. Take a peek around the rocks at the very end of the beach, and you’ll find hermit crabs crawling across the muddy sand.
West Island also attracts outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year. Take a long walk along the beach with your dog in the off-season, or cast a line from the sand to catch a few fresh fish for dinner. With panoramic water views, West Island Town Beach is a prime spot to watch a colorful sunset over the Bay.
Habitats & Wildlife
West Island is home to some of Buzzards Bay’s cleanest, healthiest water. You can discover life under the waves by going snorkeling at the town beach. Eelgrass thrives in the shallow waters here, providing a home for young fish, crabs, and bay scallops.
With so much protected natural land, West Island is a magnet for migrating birds throughout the year. Look for egrets and herons stalking in the salt marsh, and terns and ospreys soaring over the water in search of fish. West Island has even been a favorite wintering spot for snowy owls in recent years.
