There are many hidden spots to explore in Hingham.

The town of Hingham, on the south shore of Massachusetts, is ideally situated for boaters seeking convenient access to Boston Harbor, the beautiful 251-acre World’s End reservation, and the many islands of the Boston Harbor Islands National & State Park. However, the historic town itself contains plenty to do and see. There are many good restaurants and shops near the waterfront, and the quaint downtown area is just a short walk from the harbor. A bit farther west, near the Weymouth border, you’ll find a sprawling mixed-use complex with even more shops and eateries at the Hingham Shipyard Marinas and Village on Hewitts Cove.

On the eastern end of Hingham is World’s End, a wonderful place to explore via kayak or skiff—as well as on foot or by bike. Forming the protective eastern arm of the harbor, the wooded peninsula is owned and managed by The Trustees of Reservations. There are numerous places to beach a dinghy or kayak and go ashore for a stroll or picnic.

The anchor at Hingham Shipyard Marinas.

For a truly unique boating experience, consider camping on Langlee Island, at the entrance to Hingham Harbor. Reservations can be made via the harbormaster website. Camp sites and yurts are also available on Peddocks Island, with reservations available via the Boston Harbor Islands Park website. With planes roaring overhead on their approach to Logan Airport, harbor camping is pretty surreal, but it’s an adventure you won’t forget! By the way, most of the islands in the Harbor Islands Park—including Slate, Button, Ragged, and Langlee off Hingham—are open to the public. There is excellent inshore fishing throughout the islands, as well.

Another good daytrip option is the Harbor Islands Education Center on Spectacle Island. Spectacle features floating docks and moorings for overnight stays or those wishing to tie up for a few hours. The island, a former city dump, now features lovely walking paths and a swimming beach. Visitors can also enjoy sweeping views of the busy harbor and downtown Boston.

Hingham has a large boating community, and the local waters can be quite busy in season. Transients can generally find a mooring in Hingham Harbor, except on busy weekends, by contacting the harbormaster. Anchoring room is virtually non-existent except for shallow-draft vessels.

West of Hingham Harbor, but still within the town limits, is Hewitts Cove, home to the aforementioned Hingham Shipyard Marinas and Village. The Village is a 27-acre complex of apartments, condos, and townhouses set among restaurants, a marina, a movie theater, shops, a grocery store, miles of walking and bike paths, and an outdoor amphitheater. Hingham Shipyard Marinas offers 500 slips and 100 moorings, slips, service, fuel, and transient dockage. Hourly dockage is available for day-trippers who want to visit the Village.

Small-boaters and paddlers can also venture south to explore the protected Back River, just west of Hewitts Cove and Stodders Neck (a nature preserve and park) and forms the border between Hingham and Weymouth. Pass under the Route 3A span and you’ll see Bare Cove Park to port. On the right is Weymouth’s Great Esker Park, featuring trails and a nature center. Incidentally, the Back River is also home to one of the best launch facilities in the Boston area.