Falmouth Harbor

HomeFalmouth Harbor

Welcome to Falmouth Harbor

THINGS TO SEE
PLACES TO EAT
PLACES TO STAY
WHERE TO DOCK

A pair of kayakers paddle through Nantucket Sound towards Falmouth Heights.
Photo by Tom Richardson

Falmouth Harbor, shown on charts as “Falmouth Inner Harbor,” is a largely manmade harbor created in 1907, when an inlet was cut in the barrier beach separating freshwater Deacons Pond from Nantucket Sound. The inlet was dredged and widened to become the somewhat rectangular shape that exists today.



The state ramp on Falmouth Harbor offers excellent access for even large boats.
Photo Tom Richardson

Long, deep, and narrow, the harbor is a wonderfully protected spot in even the worst winds and seas, and makes a great stop for transients on their way up and down the coast or preparing for trips to Nantucket (27 nm), Martha’s Vineyard (5 nm) and Cuttyhunk (12 nm).

The harbor is home to MacDougall’s, one of  the largest marinas in the state. Located near the harbor entrance, MacDougall’s welcomes large yachts and features a fuel dock and a full range of transient amenities. Across the harbor is Falmouth Marine, another full-service marina offering haulout, fuel and transient dockage. Farther north, next to the Falmouth Marine Park, is the Falmouth town marina, which was recently renovated and offers transient slips. Next to that is the town launch ramp and Pier 37, a valet rack-storage and outboard service facility that is very popular among fishermen.


With a mean low water depth of 10 feet, Falmouth Harbor can accommodate very large yachts.
Photo by Tom Richardson

Speaking of which, anglers of all types have long considered Falmouth a great jumping-off spot for trips to the productive inshore grounds of Nantucket  and Vineyard Sounds, as well as longer forays to the offshore grounds south and east of the islands. The harbor boasts an excellent, free all-tide launch ramp with ample parking for trailer rigs. For those want to leave the fish-fiding and bait-cutting to someone else, Falmouth is home to a fleet of top-notch charter and party boats.

By the way, another great thing about Falmouth Harbor is its proximity to off-Cape locations. Falmouth is just 30 minutes up Rte. 28 from the Cape Cod Canal, so the traffic headaches associated with other Cape Cod ports are less of an issue.

Downtown Falmouth is home to several restaurants and lots of shops. Photo Tom Richardson

Daytrippers and transients with dinghies can tie up at the town float, in the extreme northwest corner of the harbor. The float offers free tie-up for up to two hours for boats 25 feet and under. From here it’s an easy 10-minute walk to town, where you can find all sorts of stores, boutiques and restaurants. A West Marine outlet and a grocery and liquor stores are also nearby.

Boats large and small find a home in Falmouth Harbor. Photo Tom Richardson

But you don’t have to leave the harbor to find sustenance. Close by are the Falmouth Raw Bar and the Flying Bridge restaurant, as well as the Falmouth Clam Shack, at the southern end of the harbor. Just follow the scent of fried food! On the west bank of the harbor are two more small marinas: North and East Marine.

Squeezed in between East and North Marine is the Island Queen ferry terminal. The Island Queen, along with two other small ferries in the harbor, make frequent trips to and from Martha’s Vineyard, making Falmouth Harbor a busy place, particularly on summer weekends. Watch out for other vessels when approaching and leaving the harbor, especially at night or in the fog.

MacDougall’s is the largest marina on Cape Cod, and welcomes transients. Photo Tom Richardson

It should be noted that Falmouth is a somewhat overlooked summer vacation spot that has much to offer. The beaches east of Falmouth Harbor are some of the finest on the Cape, and offer warmer, calmer water than what you’ll normally find on the Outer Cape. There are also some terrific B&Bs and inns worth checking out.

B&B’s abound in Falmouth. Photo Tom Richardson

GETTING THERE
Chart:NOAA 13229

Falmouth Chart

From Woods Hole or Vineyard Sound, pick up R 26 Fl R 4s Bell south of Nobska Point then head northeast 2.4 nm to R 16 Fl R 6s Bell. From there proceed north to the green daymarker and light (Fl G 2.5s) marking the western jetty of the harbor entrance. The harbor channel has a MLW depth of 10 feet.

From points east, follow the North Channel through Nantucket Sound to R 16 Fl R 6s Bell, then head north to the harbor entrance. The western jetty is marked by a Fl G 2.5s light and green daymarker.

Dockage, Moorings & Service

  • Visiting boaters can tie-up to the town float in the extreme northwest corner of the harbor for up to 2 hours. Max. boat size is 25’. Downtown Falmouth is a 10-minute walk.

  • MacDougalls’ Cape Cod Marine Service (508-548-3146): Established in 1938, Cape Cod’s largest marina and marine service center is located on the east side of the harbor and just north of the inlet. MacDougalls’ offers transient dockage for boats up to 150’, as well as a 75-ton TraveLift, repair, storage, shower, laundry, canvas work, restrooms, a fuel dock and much more.
  • Falmouth Marine (508-548-4600): On west side of harbor, just north of the inlet. Offers transient dockage, fuel, TraveLift, pumpout, restrooms, engine and hull repair and more.
  • North Marine (508-457-7000): Near head of harbor on east bank. Service, repair, and storage, but no transient slips.
  • Pier 37 (508-540-0123): Rack storage and valet facility on west bank of harbor, next to launch ramp. On-site restaurant and fuel dock.
  • Falmouth Town Marina: On west side of harbor, just south of the Pier 37 facility. Offers transient slips for boats to 45 feet; 30-day max. stay in July/Aug. Slips have water, cable and electric. Pump-out available. Restrooms with showers.

Anchorage

  • N/A

Launch Ramp

 

The harbor boasts an excellent all-tide ramp with courtesy floats and restrooms. It features a good number of parking spaces, but fills on weekends. No fee. No overnight parking.


The state ramp on Falmouth Harbor offers excellent
access for even large boats. Photo/New England Boating

Harbormaster

Kayak Rental


A pair of kayakers paddle through Nantucket
Sound towards Falmouth Heights. Photo by Tom Richardson

Provisions

Where to Eat

  • Falmouth Raw Bar (508-548-7729): At the head of the harbor, west bank.
  • Clam Shack of Falmouth (508-540-7758): Fried seafood and lobster rolls on the west side of the harbor, near the inlet.
  • Flying Bridge Restaurant (508-548-2700): On west side of harbor, just south of Falmouth Marine Park.
  • British Beer Company (508-540-9600): Falmouth Heights, overlooking the beach.
  • Anejo Mexican Restaurant (508-388-7631): Good Mexican fare in downtown Falmouth.

Things to See & Do

  • Patriot Party Boats: Partyboat fishing out of Falmouth Inner Harbor.
  • Falmouth Marine Park: Public park on west side of harbor. Site of summer concerts and other free events. Free parking, bike racks and restrooms. Check the Falmouth COC website for a list of events: Falmouth Events Calendar.
  • Falmouth Road Race : Held each August, this popular road race attracts 10,000 runners from all over the world.

Fishing Information

Click here for more Fishing Information!

General Information

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Launch Ramps
Where to Stay
Rentals
Harbor Master and Harbor Info
Getting There
Things to Do

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978-825-4311
HawthorneHotel.com

Salem’s famed author,
welcome hotel guests

Nathaniel’s In The Hawthorne Hotel

18 Washington Square W, Salem, MA
978-825-4311
HawthorneHotel.com

Salem’s famed author,
welcome hotel guests

Nathaniel’s In The Hawthorne Hotel

18 Washington Square W, Salem, MA
978-825-4311
HawthorneHotel.com

Salem’s famed author,
welcome hotel guests

Nathaniel’s In The Hawthorne Hotel

18 Washington Square W, Salem, MA
978-825-4311
HawthorneHotel.com

Salem’s famed author,
welcome hotel guests

Nathaniel’s In The Hawthorne Hotel

18 Washington Square W, Salem, MA
978-825-4311
HawthorneHotel.com

Salem’s famed author,
welcome hotel guests

Nathaniel’s In The Hawthorne Hotel

18 Washington Square W, Salem, MA
978-825-4311
HawthorneHotel.com

Salem’s famed author,
welcome hotel guests