Anglers know that Buzzards Bay offers some of the best fishing in the Northeast. Saltwater fishing is fun for all ages and easy for anybody to try. All you need is a Massachusetts recreational saltwater permit and some simple gear, and you’ll be ready to go fishing! Head down to your local pier, or cast a line from the beach at sunset. Want to get out on the Bay’s open waters? Find a charter service, and you’ll be searching for stripers, scup, and sea bass in no time.
Discover Massachusetts' maritime history at Westport's Horseneck Point Life-Saving Station, one of the last of its kind in the state.
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking lot across East Beach Rd.
Facilities: Learning Center, Restrooms (seasonal)
Facilities: Learning Center, Restrooms (seasonal)
Discover Buzzards Bay’s largest freshwater river at Horseshoe Mill, part of the growing Weweantic River Reserve in Wareham.
Size: 34 acres
Parking: Medium-sized parking area at the end of Station Street
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium-sized parking area at the end of Station Street
Facilities: None
Boaters and paddlers will find a place to launch and keep their boats at this wharf and park on Sippican Harbor in Marion.
Parking: Large paved parking lot (vehicles and trailers up to 72 hours); resident privilege sticker required for overnight parking (May 31 to September 15); limited parking for non-residents
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Dock (concrete/floating), Dinghy/Kayak Storage, Restrooms (seasonal), Showers (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Water
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Dock (concrete/floating), Dinghy/Kayak Storage, Restrooms (seasonal), Showers (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Water
This pristine crescent of sand is a peaceful place for boaters to enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and beachcombing on private Naushon Island.
Facilities: None
Escape the bustle of summer crowds on the quiet shores of Knowles Beach in Dartmouth.
Parking: Unpaved roadside parking along Smith Neck Road (space for 6-7 cars)
Facilities: None
Facilities: None
Whether by foot or on a kayak, make time to explore the sandy, protected shores of Lawrence Island in Cataumet.
Size: 7 acres
Parking: There is no parking lot provided at this property. For access to the trail, limited parking is available along Grassland Lane.
Facilities: None
Parking: There is no parking lot provided at this property. For access to the trail, limited parking is available along Grassland Lane.
Facilities: None
Visit Bourne's Little Bay Conservation Area to discover a walk that captures Buzzards Bay’s unique coastal geography.
Size: 21.33 acres
Parking: Two small unpaved parking areas off Shore Road and at the end of Valley Bars Circle
Facilities: Kayak Launch, Picnic Table
Parking: Two small unpaved parking areas off Shore Road and at the end of Valley Bars Circle
Facilities: Kayak Launch, Picnic Table
Branch off from the main route of Fairhaven’s Phoenix Bike Trail to explore the scenic shoreline at Little Bay Conservation Area.
Size: 70 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area at the end of Little Bay Road
Facilities: Pier (concrete), Trash, Picnic Tables
Parking: Small unpaved parking area at the end of Little Bay Road
Facilities: Pier (concrete), Trash, Picnic Tables
Peaceful Little Buttermilk Bay Woods in Bourne hits all the right notes in just under a mile of walking trails.
Size: 10.86 acres
Parking: Small gravel parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Small gravel parking area
Facilities: None
The sandy shores and gentle waves at Little Harbor Beach in Wareham are a wonderful way to enjoy life by the Bay.
Size: 22 acres
Parking: Large paved parking lot; resident parking sticker required
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal)
Parking: Large paved parking lot; resident parking sticker required
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal)
This diverse paradise of woods, wetlands, and salt marshes in Plymouth shelters rare sea-run brook trout in Red Brook.
Size: 210 acres
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area
Facilities: Picnic Tables, Trash
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area
Facilities: Picnic Tables, Trash
Set off on a Pocasset Harbor paddling adventure from the Massasoit Avenue Boat Ramp in Bourne.
Parking: None
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch
In the heart of this quiet waterfront village, Mattapoisett Town Beach offers sandy shores and picturesque harbor views.
Size: 1.9 acres
Parking: Large unpaved parking area; fee to park in summer (first week of July through last week of August)
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Shower, Picnic Tables, Playground
Parking: Large unpaved parking area; fee to park in summer (first week of July through last week of August)
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Shower, Picnic Tables, Playground
Take a scenic paddle on Mattapoisett Harbor and the mouth of the Mattapoisett River from Mattapoisett Town Landing.
Size: 1.75 acres
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area; parking pass required
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Bicycle Rack, Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Picnic Table
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area; parking pass required
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Bicycle Rack, Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Picnic Table
Boaters cruising into Mattapoisett Harbor will find ample tie-up space and amenities at these five historic wharves.
Parking: Public street parking on north side of Water Street; resident parking pass required for Town Wharf parking
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Pier/Dock (concrete), Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Picnic Tables, Fuel, Water, Ice (seasonal), Concession (seasonal)
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Pier/Dock (concrete), Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Picnic Tables, Fuel, Water, Ice (seasonal), Concession (seasonal)
With its wide expanse of sand, Megansett Beach is a great spot for Falmouth residents to sit and watch sailboats on the harbor.
Parking: Medium-sized paved parking area; resident beach sticker required to park in summer
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Pier (wood), Restrooms (seasonal), Trash
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Pier (wood), Restrooms (seasonal), Trash
For boaters on Cape Cod, Megansett Harbor Landing in North Falmouth is an awesome gateway to Buzzards Bay.
Parking: Medium-sized paved parking area (vehicles only; no trailer parking); resident beach sticker required to park in summer
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Pier (wood), Shower (seasonal)
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Pier (wood), Shower (seasonal)
Hike through Martha's Vineyard's diverse habitats and take in stunning views of Vineyard Sound and the Elizabeth Islands at this large Chilmark preserve.
Size: 211 acres
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area
Facilities: Portable Toilets (seasonal)
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area
Facilities: Portable Toilets (seasonal)
Explore rolling pine-and-oak woods by the edge of Bourne’s Little Bay on the network of trails at Monks Park.
Size: 9 acres
Parking: Two small unpaved parking areas on Valley Bars Circle; additional parking at kayak ramp (with town of Bourne beach sticker)
Facilities: Kayak Launch
Parking: Two small unpaved parking areas on Valley Bars Circle; additional parking at kayak ramp (with town of Bourne beach sticker)
Facilities: Kayak Launch
This Bourne town marina provides a one-stop destination for boaters to explore the harbors and shores of upper Buzzards Bay.
Parking: Large paved parking area (vehicles and trailers)
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Dock (wood), Restrooms (seasonal), Showers (seasonal), Trash, Fuel (seasonal), Food/Concession (seasonal)
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Dock (wood), Restrooms (seasonal), Showers (seasonal), Trash, Fuel (seasonal), Food/Concession (seasonal)