Cape Cod Activites, Events & Things to Do: Golf, Fishing, Whale Watches, Beaches, Shopping: Explore the Cape’s south side and the Islands by boat

A boater cruises past the mouth of the Bass River, the longest tidal river on Cape Cod.

The biggest obstacle facing travelers to Cape Cod is battling traffic to get over The Bridge. But if you are fortunate enough to have a boat that is large enough to navigate the Cape Cod Canal, you can go under it.

 Visiting by boat will open your eyes to a whole new perspective. Whether cruising down from the Boston area or coming up from Connecticut or Rhode Island, several marinas along Cape Cod’s southwestern shoreline can offer you deep-water moorings or slips and all the amenities that will make your vacation memorable.

 

Located just south of the western end of the Cape Cod Canal and due east of Providence, RI, Kingman Yacht Center (508-563-7136) in Pocasset is one of Cape Cod’s most comprehensive, and largest, marine service operations. Whether you use the marina for an overnight, or plan your stay for a fortnight, you’ll find everything you need to make your boating experience convenient and relaxing.

 

Open year round, Kingman has more than 235 slips and 130 moorings, many available for transient boaters. Reservations are recommended. Launch service is free, and the heads, showers and laundry facilities are new and immaculate. The onsite gift shop, Periwinkles Gifts, has great boating merchandise and souvenirs. One of the biggest draws to Kingman is the extremely popular Chart Room Restaurant (508-563-5350), located dockside. Because the restaurant is open to the public, reservations are strongly recommended.

 

According to Scott Zeien, president of Kingman Yacht Center, one of the draws to his marina is its bucolic setting. “We’re not located in the heart of a community, such as Falmouth or Hyannis,” he says. “We’re in a very pristine setting, and people really appreciate that.” Many boat owners take advantage of the beautiful mile-long beach located on Bassets Island, which sits just outside the marina and forms a small harbor. “It’s a quick little boat ride and great for picnics or just a ‘day at the beach’,” says Zeien.

 

If you’re too late with a reservation at the Chart House, Graziella’s (508-563-5541), just two-tenths of a mile up the road, is an alternative offering casual Italian cuisine and takeout. Across the street is the Corner Café (508-563-6944), serving great coffee and home-baked goods. There is also a hardware store and a small market.

 

If you have the room on your boat for bicycles, take them along. Pocasset is a charming village of winding roads. Enjoy the miles of tall oak trees and stone walls. If you have the time, bike the nearby Cape Cod Canal, an 8-mile route that takes you from Buzzard’s Bay to Cape Cod Bay, where you’ll see boats of all sizes and pass beneath the three bridges (the Railroad, Bourne and Sagamore) that span the canal. Pack a lunch and hang out on the breakwater at the east end of the canal in Sandwich and rest up for your trip back to Kingman Marine.

 

Kingman Marina amenities:

• Dockage and moorings: Available for daily or seasonal rental by vessels up to plus-100 feet. Dockside depth is 10 feet; approach depth is 6 feet at MLW (Mean Low Water–average low tide). For deeper draft boats it is suggested you coordinate your entry and departure with the tide.
• Cable TV: Service must be ordered by individual slip users from Adelphia. For information and rates, call 508-888-5444.
• Dock crew: Personnel to assist you seven days a week in season, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Fax: the marina will receive and transmit faxes from the main office for a fee of $1 per page. The fax number is 508-563-6493.
• Fresh water and electricity: All slips are serviced by fresh water, 110-volt and 220-volt electricity at some slips.
• Fuel dock: Open daily in season from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Pumpout: Complimentary pumpout service is available from the fuel dock, seven days a week in season from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The town of Bourne also provides service with its pumpout boat at no charge.

Go west, young mariner

Continuing your journey along the coastline and around the western-most tip of the cape, you’ll find the town of Falmouth with its municipal marina (508-457-2550), offering a host of services, as well as easy access to stores, restaurants and beaches. The marina offers several transient slips as well as bulkhead space (flat-wall tie-up). Managed by the town, Falmouth Marine uses a “hotel booking system,” so reservations are strongly recommended.

Falmouth is a boater’s paradise in that once you’ve arrived and docked your boat, everything is within walking distance. If it’s not, you can always take the Whoosh, a trolley that tootles around town from the end of May to the beginning of September. The trolley accommodates bicycles, and you can transfer to local Cape Cod buses traveling to Hyannis for free.

 

Restaurants abound throughout Falmouth, with Main Street offering a host of options.  Dockside restaurants along Scranton Street include The Flying Bridge (508-548-2700), a large double-decker eatery that serves local seafood as well as a great steak. At the end of the pier you’ll find the Clam Shack, a seasonal spot offering outdoor seating and a place to watch harbor activity.

 

If you have a bicycle, you can ride to local beaches along the Shining Sea Trail, named in honor of Katharine Lee Bates, author of “America the Beautiful.” You can rent a bike at Holiday Cycles (508-540-3549), which has everything from 10-speeds to surreys and tandems. Riding to local beaches along the Shining Sea Trail is a pleasure. It’s very flat and straight, making it great for children and more cautious riders, and the sites along the way, including marshes, beaches and a view of Martha’s Vineyard, are well worth the effort.

 

Falmouth Marina amenities:

• Harbormaster: Gregg P. Fraser (508-457-2550). E-mail: falhmast@cape.com.
• Booking: For rates, see www.town.falmouth.ma.us and the link Town Marina/ Harbormaster. Reservations can be made after Feb. 1.
• Staff: Good seasonal staff includes eight waterways assistants who help with lines, tie-ups and repairs. There are also three assistant harbormasters.
• Electricity: Only in the slips, not in the bulkhead spaces.
• Day trips: The Island Queen ferry docked at the marina, goes to Martha’s Vineyard daily.
• Sites of interest: The Center of Discovery of the HMS Titanic, the world-renowned Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the national headquarters of the International Wildlife Coalition. Nobska Light is located along the 7-mile Falmouth Road Race route and offers great photo opportunities.

Hobknob in Hyannis
If you really want to be where the action is on the Cape, head on down to Hyannis where Hyannis Marina (508-790-4000) offers a deep-water harbor that will accommodate deep-draft vessels up to 200 feet LOA with the channel at 15 feet MLW and dockside depth at 14 feet. Bustling with activity, including high-speed ferries to both Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, as well as private vessels of all sizes, Hyannis Marina is centrally located and is considered “New England’s Gateway” to cruising Cape Cod and the Islands. It also is a main hub for air and ground transportation. Catch a plane to the Islands from Hyannis Airport. Buses to Boston, Providence, Rhode Island and beyond depart and arrive hourly from the Hyannis Transportation Center.

Still home to the Kennedy family, Hyannis is steeped in history. The JFK Museum is located in the Old Town Hall on Main Street and features a wonderful array of photos and exhibits chronicling the lives of the former President and his family at their compound in Hyannisport. Main Street is also home to dozens of shops, boutiques and restaurants within walking distance of the marina, including Alberto’s Ristorante (508-778-1770), the Paddock (508-775-7677) and the Roadhouse Café (508-775-2386), all well regarded for food and atmosphere. Closer to the marina you’ll find the casual and fun Baxter’s Boathouse (508-775-7040) and the Black Cat (508-778-1233). After dinner, treat yourself to an evening at the Cape Cod Melody Tent (508-778-1322), where such legends as Kenny Rogers, the Beach Boys and Tony Bennett appear during the summer season. If you are lucky enough to be in Hyannis the first weekend in August, call ahead for tickets to hear The Boston Pops or Jazz by the Sea (508-790-2787).

 

If you want beaches, cruise to Craigville or Long Beach. While you are out on the water, check out the Kennedy complex (you can’t see it from any other vantage point) or take a vacation from the helm, and let someone else be the captain. Board the Hy-Line Ferry (508-778-2600) for a narrated tour of the area. Dying to go fishing and catch the big one? Hyannis Marina is central to some of the best fishing grounds in New England. Reservations for charters are recommended.

 

Hyannis Marina amenities:

• Private pool with poolside
• Cabana Bar
• Shower facilities
• Internet café and wireless high-speed Internet service dockside
• Two full-menu restaurants: Tugboats and Trader Ed’s
• Courtesy and rental cars
• Full-service repair and parts department

 

Sail south to the Islands

As you head down along the southern coast of the Cape, the best time to take a little side trip to Martha’s Vineyard is after a stay at Kingman Marina or Falmouth Marine, where you can actually see Martha’s Vineyard from the mainland.

 

Head for Vineyard Haven; it’s been the biggest commercial harbor since the 1800s. If you are planning ahead, get in touch with the harbormaster for reservations and directions to an appropriate marina (508-696-4200). If your boat is one of the larger ones, you may end up on a mooring outside the breakwater.

 

Vineyard Haven is where most of the mainland ferries dock and consequently where most of the shopping and restaurants are found. If you have your bicycles, you are in for a treat as the rolling hills outside of town are perfect for exploring by bike. If not, Strictly Bikes (508-693-0782) offers rentals.

 

Main Street, just up the hill from the dock, is loaded with little shops and boutiques and the renowned Bunch of Grapes Bookstore, which on occasion hosts signings by various famous island authors. If beaching it is your thing, spread a towel on the harbor beach or go to Lake Tashmoo for a unique experience.

 

As for restaurants, there are many. Be aware, however, that Vineyard Haven is a dry town so you’ll have to supply your own alcoholic beverage. The most famous restaurant in town is the Black Dog Tavern (508-693-9223), a great little place with a decidedly nautical feel to it. There’s also a Black Dog Bakery (508-693-4786) and General Store, where you can get one of those famous Black Dog Tavern T-shirts or hats.

 

Hyannis Harbor is a great place to shove off for a side trip to the island of Nantucket, 22 miles off the mainland. Nantucket is a boater’s paradise, where you will see everything from a 20-foot sailboat to a 150-foot yacht anchored or tied up in this busy harbor. Launch service is available for a fee.

 

There are several choices for settling your boat in Nantucket: The Old North Wharf (508-228-6071), a private facility, offers dockage for boats up to 150 feet and panoramic views of Nantucket Harbor. Slips come complete with 200-amp shore power, cable TV and shoreside telephone. Nantucket Moorings (508-228-4472) has 125 transient moorings and can handle boats up to 100 feet LOA.

 

Once ashore, you’ll see what all the fuss is about. Nantucket is a charming island designated a National Historic District, and the architecture has changed little since the 17th century. Complete with cobblestone streets—and shops and restaurants from one end of town to the other—Nantucket is teeming with visitors during the summer.

 

Right on Straight Wharf, the Ropewalk (508-228-8886) serves the fresh seafood and some of the best chowder around. Other notable eateries include the Brotherhood of Thieves (508-228-2551), which is known for its simple ambiance and great burgers. If gourmet dining is more to your liking, try the Brant Point Grill at White Elephant (508-228-2500).

 

With so much history located on such a small island, you might find it useful to wander in to the Nantucket Historical Association at 13 Broad St., where you can get an overview of this national treasure. Nantucket is one of those places that deserve more than just a day trip. Plan on spending some time to get the most from your stay.  n

Activities: Cape Cod

 

 

Upper Cape

 

OceanQuest   

100 Water St. • Woods Hole

508-385-7656 • 800-376-2326

You’ve seen the whales; now see the rest with OceanQuest’s hands-on Discovery Cruises. Passengers actively manipulate equipment, collect data and discover the wonder of ocean sciences aboard a certified and fully equipped research vessel. A fun and unique experience for all ages. Ask about special events, Cuttyhunk cruises and private charters. Open spring through fall for families, schools and groups. Reservations and information: oceanquest.org. E-mail: info@oceanquest.org.

 

Patriot Party Boats

227 Clinton Ave. • Falmouth

 508-548-2626 • 800-734-0088

Hop aboard for a family fun-filled day of deep-sea or sport fishing. The experienced captain and crew will put you on to some of the best fishing Cape Cod has to offer. Fishing rates: $50 to $60 for adults; $30 for kids for a full day (half-day rates available). Group charter rates also offered. Open year round. Visit patriotpartyboats.com.

 

Mid Cape

 

Cape Cod Bay Watersports

Sesuit Harbor • East Dennis • 508-385-3120

The 2007 season starts in June. Four hours of unforgettable fun begin on board the spacious Venture Inn II. Master Mariner Capt. Chronis Kalivas will ensure you have a safe and enjoyable trip under his supervision. Waverunners, banana boat rides, trampoline jumping and swimming near the famous Mayflower Beach. Visit capecodbaywatersports.com or call for more information. Rates: $39 to $79. Open June through September.

 

Catboat Rides Inc.      

164 Ocean St. • Hyannis • 508-775-0222 • 800-308-1837

Come sailing. Relax aboard the quick and quiet catboat Eventide, with a 22-person capacity and experienced, licensed local Capt. Marcus Sherman at the helm. Take time to revel in nature’s many sights. Available daily for private parties ($500 for two hours) and public excursions (adults, $30; seniors, $25; kids $10 per 90 minutes). Open May 25 to Oct. 8. Visit catboat.com.

 

John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum

397 Main St. • Hyannis • 508-790-3077

The Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce proudly remembers the JFK era on Cape Cod with the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum, a multimedia exhibit designed to open a window on JFK’s days on Cape Cod. The exhibit features more than 80 photographs spanning 1934 to 1963, oral histories and a video, narrated by Walter Cronkite, about John F. Kennedy, his family, friends and the Cape Cod he loved. See hyannis.com.

Lobster Roll Cruises

Sesuit Harbor • East Dennis • 508-385-1686

Relax and enjoy the spectacular views from the decks of the all-new “Lobster Roll” dinner cruise ship. On board, let the award-winning Sesuit Harbor Café staff tempt you with your choice of fine foods, artfully prepared. A unique dining and sightseeing experience that shouldn’t be missed. Rates: sightseeing, $19.95; lunch, $26.95; dinner,  $39.95. Reservations recommended.

 

Ship Shops Inc.

130 Pleasant St. • South Yarmouth • 508-398-2900

You are the captain when you rent one of Ship Shops’ 16- to 22-foot powerboats. Explore the Bass River and Nantucket Sound. No license needed. Half- and full-day rentals. All boats are complete with safety gear, depth finders, GPS and sun tops. Reservations recommended. For more information, visit capecodboatrentals.com

 

 

Lower Cape

 

The Bike Depot

500 Depot St. • North Harwich • 508-430-4375

Conveniently located, the Bike Depot is your best start to the Cape Cod Rail Trail. The friendly staff will help you find the right bike from a large inventory of quality bicycles and will assist you with accessories and information. Trailers, Trail-a-Bikes, premium bikes, group and long-term rates, and delivery are also available. Standard rate for three hours: $12; $2 each additional hour. Open year round. ccrailtrail.com.

Brewster Bike

442 Underpass Rd. • Brewster • 508-896-8149 

Enjoy the Cape by visiting one of our two bicycle shop locations. Brewster Bike is located directly on the Cape Cod Rail Trail; Chatham Cycle (508-945-8981) is located a half-mile from the Chatham bike trail extension at 193 Depot Rd. Both shops are open April through December and are full service for sales, rentals and repairs. Visit us at brewsterbike.com

 

Captain’s House Tea

369 Old Harbor Rd. • Chatham • 508-945-0127

Enjoy a sumptuous English afternoon tea served in the lovely sunroom of this 1839 sea captain’s inn or on the patio surrounded by English gardens. Menu items include traditional tea sandwiches, sausage rolls, scones, cakes, cookies and an extensive selection of gourmet teas. Traditional tea: $16.50 per person; tea flights: $20 per person. Tea is served daily year round from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and reservations are required. Visit captainshouseinn.com.

 

Carriage House Limousines, LLC

West Harwich • 508-432-6996

Carriage House Limousine strives to satisfy discriminating travelers who appreciate an upscale presentation of transportation vehicles and services. For airport trips, Mercedes Benz Grand Touring vehicles are routinely utilized. Rolls Royce and Bentleys are available for special events. Vans and SUVs are also offered. Drivers are professionally licensed, police background checked and drug tested. Carriage House Limousine—where safe, quality travel is assured. Call for reservations or visit online at carriagehouselimos.com

 

Fishtale Sportfishing

Saquatucket Harbor, Route 28 • Harwichport

 508-432-3783

Fish the rips off of Monomoy and Nantucket for stripers, blues and tuna with USCG licensed Capt. Mort Terry. Whether you are an expert fisherman or a beginner, a Cape Cod native or an out-of-towner, you’ll have a blast aboard this expertly navigated 33-foot, fully equipped Fortier. Prices range from $450 to $850; six-person limit per trip. Open May through October. Reservations required. Call or visit fishtalesportfishing.com.

 

Focalpoint Studio

Post Office Square • Orleans

508-255-6617 • 800-696-6617

Focalpoint Studio has specialized in family portraits at the beach since 1973. Pick your favorite beach or from among the many beaches in Orleans that the studio uses on a regular basis. Perfect for groups, couples, pets and high school seniors. For more information, visit focalpt@capecod.net or focalpointstudio.com.

 

Outer Cape

 

Art’s Dune Tours

4 Standish St. • Provincetown • 508-487-1950

Take a tour of the historic sand dunes on the protected lands of Provincetown Cape Cod National Seashore. Hear history recounted as you pass the Peaked Hill Life Saving Station and the famous “dune shacks.” A variety of tours are available. Complement your 2-hour Sunset Tour with a traditional New England clambake. Tickets: $20 to $80 adults; $15 to $45 kids (6 to 11 years). Open April 15. Reservations required for evening tours.

 

Castaways Marine

4655 State Highway • North Eastham • 508-255-7751

Cast off in a 32-foot Sun Tracker pontoon boat; ride the waves on a sleek surfboard, or even take a lesson on how to surf. There are kayaking and canoeing tours the whole family will enjoy. If you are looking to buy or rent water sport equipment, or if you are interested in a paddle tour, go to Castaways (castawaysmarine.com). Open year round. 

 

Flyer’s Boat Rentals

131A Commercial St. • Provincetown • 508-487-0898

Provincetown: See it from the sea. Located on beautiful Provincetown Harbor, Flyer’s Boat Rentals has been helping visitors and locals enjoy the harbor for more than 63 years. Flyer’s offers powerboats, sailboats, kayaks, pontoon boats and sailing lessons. Transit moorings also available. Relax on the Long Point Water Taxi and experience the beauty of the outermost points of Cape Cod. Open May 15 to Sept. 30. See flyersboatrentals.com.

 

Little Overhead Surf • Kiteboard

Route 6 • Eastham • 508-240-1455

Little Overhead Surf Shop is geared toward vacationers, surfers and kiteboarders. Little Overhead offers surf lessons and board rentals for the entire family. The shop carries top brand surf and kiteboard merchandise, as well as brand-name clothing, women’s bathing suits and men’s board shorts, videos and books. Open year round, daily in season. See littleoverhead.com. Surf report: (508) 247-WAVE.

 

Pilgrim Monument

& Provincetown Museum

High Pole Hill Road • Provincetown • 508-487-1310

Celebrate Pilgrim Monument’s centennial. The museum highlights the arrival of the Pilgrims, maritime history, early days of modern American theatre in P-town and the building of the monument to commemorate the Pilgrims’ first landing in America. Admission: $7 for adults; $5 for seniors and students; $3.50 for kids ages 4 to 14. Open 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. daily April 15 to Oct. 31; until 6:15 p.m. July and August; Friday through Sunday only in November.

 

Portuguese Princess Whale Watch

70 Shank Painter Rd. • Provincetown • 800-442-3188

Portuguese Princess three-hour trips are among the best in New England. The fastest in the Provincetown fleet, the two 100-foot, specially designed boats have a full galley/bar onboard. Captains and crews are Coast Guard certified, and two naturalists are on board each trip. Tickets: $30 for adults; $27 for seniors; $22 for children, ages 5 to 12. Open mid-April through October. Visit princesswhalewatch.com.

 

Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill

10 Meetinghouse Rd. • Truro

508-349-7511 • fax: 508-349-7513

Now offering year-round programs, Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill attracts working artists and students from throughout the U.S. to study with a faculty of prominent artists in the fields of painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, kids classes and writing. Classes for adults: $175 to $450. Open year round. To register, call or visit castlehill.org. E-mail: castlehill@gis.net.

 

Truro Vineyards of Cape Cod    

Route 6A • North Truro • 508-487-6200

Cape Cod’s first vineyard invites you to stop by and experience the fruit of the vine. With nine different varieties of fine wines to sample, a vast vineyard to stroll through, ample grounds to picnic on and a gift shop to find that perfect souvenir, there are plenty of fun, memorable things to do. Open April through December. For more information, visit trurovineyardsofcapecod.com.

 

Wellfleet Theatres

51 Route 6 • South Wellfleet • 508-349-7176

For family entertainment, visit Wellfleet Theatres. Cinemas open year round, featuring Dolby Digital Sound on all screens. Drive-In Theatre is open from mid-April through mid-October. Mini-golf, Dairy Bar & Grill with Cocktail Bar open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Flea market open weekends mid-April through October, plus Wednesday and Thursday in July and August. Up to 300 vendors. For movie schedules visit wellfleetcinemas.com.