Hyannis

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Welcome to Hyannis

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

Daytrippers can tie up at the Town Docks for several hours at no charge.

A visit to Hyannis can be a breeze, in more ways than one, thanks to a thriving harbor that accommodates vessels of all sizes and offers easy access to the history, culture, shopping, nightlife and sights and sounds of one of Cape Cod’s busiest ports.

Getting there is easy, too. The wide, deep channel between Nantucket Sound and Hyannis’ inner harbor is maintained to a depth of 13 feet and can accommodate large yachts. If you’ve never been to Hyannis before, note that the busy channel is plied by ferries, tour boats and fishing vessels, so use caution.

If you wish to drop anchor, Lewis Bay offers good holding ground in depths of four to ten feet. The area behind Egg Island offers protection from the summer southwesterlies, but can be a popular spot. The island itself (actually a sandbar that vanishes as the tide rises) is a delightful place to enjoy a swim or picnic. You can also hop in a kayak or dinghy and explore nearby Uncle Roberts Cove on Great Island.

The harbormaster’s office at Bismore Park, on the west side of the inner harbor, is easy to find.

If bound for the inner harbor, continue north past the replica lighthouse to port and you’ll see the sprawling docks and service buildings of Hyannis Marina to starboard, with the Steamship Authority docks and Dockside Marina straight ahead. A large, full-service facility, Hyannis Marina can accommodate yachts up to 200 feet and offers fuel, transient slips, seasonal dockage, showers, WiFi, a pool, haul-out and repair. Onsite restaurants here include Tugboats and Trader Ed’s, and you can arrange for free dockage while you eat or enjoy a drink.

Hyannis Marina can accommodate large private vessels.

Another dock-and-dine option is Baxter’s Boat House, adjacent to the Steamship Authority terminal. Order lunch and a cold beverage to enjoy onboard or slide into a captain’s chair with a glass of wine on the outdoor deck. Built entirely over the water with wonderful harbor views, Baxter’s is one of the Cape’s oldest restaurants, and a popular destination for locals and visiting celebrities.

Baxter’s Fish & Chips offers dock-and-dine next to the Steamship Authority terminal.

If you want to stroll around Hyannis, you can tie up at no charge for several hours at the town docks at Bismore Park, on the western side of the inner harbor, or the town-managed Gateway Marina at Aselton Park, in the harbor’s northwest corner. Contact the harbormaster on VHF channel 9 to check on availability. The harbormaster’s office and public restrooms are located in the white building with the red roof right behind the seawall at Bismore Park.

Local artists display their work through the summer at Bismore Park.

WALKING TOUR

Once ashore, there’s much to see, do—and eat, as Hyannis Harbor is home to many restaurants and watering holes. Spanky’s Clam Shack and the Black Cat Harbor Shack are great spots for a casual lunch, while the Black Cat Tavern offers a fun, family atmosphere, an extensive dinner menu, and a hip bar with live music. For ice cream and other treats, visit the Ben & Jerry’s next to the Hy-Line ferry terminal.

A short walk toward South Street brings you to the Cape Cod Maritime Museum, where you can tour exhibits detailing five centuries of local maritime life, including a colonial-era mariner’s chart of Cape Cod, traditional Wampanoag fish-harvesting implements, exquisite model ships, and natural-history relics. You can also watch boatbuilders in action or sail back in time on the museum-built 1886 Crosby Catboat replica Sarah.

The Cape Cod Maritime Museum is a must-visit for boat aficionados.

JFK CONNECTIONS

The harbor’s 2 parks—Bismore and Aselton—are the summer setting for the HyArt’s artists’ shanties featuring locally produced paintings, pottery, jewelry and other unique items available only on Cape Cod. And be sure to look left when you reach the lights at the intersection of Ocean and South Streets, toward the historic Hyannis Armory, site of John F. Kennedy’s presidential victory speech in November 1960. More JFK memories can be rekindled at the JFK Hyannis Museum on Main Street and at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park farther down Ocean Street..

Large ferries and fishing vessels share Hyannis Harbor with scores of recreational craft.

Ever taken your boat to a baseball game? Within easy walking distance of the harbor is McKeon Field, home to the Cape Cod Baseball League’s Hyannis Harbor Hawks. The Cape League is considered the finest amateur summer baseball league in the country, with more than 250 alums on Major League rosters in 2012.

The still relatively new “Walkway to the Sea” means Hyannis’ bustling Main Street is now just a stone’s throw from the harbor. Main Street is filled with specialty shops, a miniature golf course, and a plethora of dining choices.

Whatever your desired choice of food or entertainment, it’s all within easy reach.

GETTING THERE

The approaches to Hyannis Harbor are well marked, and the main channel is maintained to a depth of 11’ MLW. If approaching from east, take care to stay south of the R “2” Buoy and north of G “1” Fl G bell, to avoid Gazelle Rock and Bishops and Clerks Ledge. Head for the RW “HH” Mo Bell to pick up the main channel into Hyannis Harbor. If approaching from the west, it’s safest to travel through the Sound via the North Channel to G “5” bell then proceed northeast to the RW “HH” Bell and from there north into the harbor. The dredged channel begins east of G “5” and R “6”.

Also, be aware that Hyannis Harbor is plied by ferries, tour boats and commercial fishermen, so stay alert, especially when running in the fog or at night. Once inside the inner harbor, you’ll see Hyannis Marina to starboard, with Dockside Marina dead ahead. You’ll find the Town Docks at Bismore Park to port.

Charts

NOAA 13237; 13229

Harbormaster

(508-790-6273); VHF 9

Dockage, Moorings & Service

Hyannis Marina (508) 790-4000; VHF 9 & 72

Large, full-service marina on the east side of the inner harbor. Offers transient slips, showers, pool, laundry, free WiFi, haul-out, repair and access to two onsite restaurants.

Dockside Marina (508) 771-7171

Moderately priced slips for vessels up to 150 feet, adjacent to the Steamship Authority terminal.

Town Marina/Bismore Park (508) 790-6327; VHF 9

Daytrippers can tie up here for short periods without charge, subject to availability and getting the okay from one of the dockmasters. Longer stays are sometimes permitted by the harbormaster if space is available.

Anchorage

Lewis Bay offers good holding ground in depths of four to ten feet of water, but watch out for the submerged wreck, which is marked by a buoy. The area behind Egg Island offers good protection from southwest winds, and a mud and sand bottom, but can be crowded in summer.

Launch Ramp

A public launch ramp is located on Lewis Bay Road, in the northeast corner of the harbor. This ramp can accommodate large boats on most tides, but beware of the drop-off at low tide. Parking is available for residents and non-residents alike, at both the ramp and the overflow lot (vehicles with trailers only) up the street.

Boat & Kayak Rental

All Cape Rentals (508-827-2001

Rents boats and PWCs out of Dockside Marina.

Sea Sports (508-790-1217

Rentals of kayaks, SUPs, bikes, scuba gear and more.

Where to Eat

Baxter’s Boat House (508) 775-4490

Venerable dock-and-dine restaurant on the inner harbor, adjacent to the Steamship Authority docks. Free dockage, space permitting.

Trader Ed’s (508) 790-8686

Waterside restaurant and bar with outdoor pool at Hyannis Marina. Contact marina dockmaster to arrange a slip.

Tugboats (508) 775-6433

Former sail loft turned restaurant and bar at Hyannis Marina. Contact marina dockmaster for a slip.

Black Cat Tavern (508) 778-1233

Popular bar and eatery behind Bismore Park. See harbormaster for slip availability at Town Docks.

Spanky’s Clam Shack (508) 771-2770

Lively family restaurant with outdoor seating on the harbor near Bismore Park.

Fishing Information

Click here for more Fishing Information!

Things to See & Do

Cape Cod Maritime Museum (508) 775-1723

Learn about the fascinating history of Cape Cod maritime life and culture at this museum at the head of Hyannis Harbor. Offers wooden boatbuilding demonstrations and hands-on kids activities.

JFK Museum

The John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum preserves and promotes the legacy of John F. Kennedy, his family, and their deep connection to Cape Cod.

Pirate Adventures (508) 394-9100

Kids will love this swashbuckling adventure aboard the Sea Gypsy, where they look for treasure and engage in a fierce water cannon battle at sea.

Mini-Golf: Hyannis has several mini-golf courses. Among the best is Wild Animal Lagoon, an 18-holer populated by hippos, sharks, rhinos and more!