Marion Harbor is filled with classic boats.

First-time visitors to Marion Harbor are typically amazed by the sheer amount of floating wood and fiberglass packed into seemingly every square foot of water, but it’s only in keeping with the town’s salty roots. This well-protected natural harbor in upper Buzzards Bay has long been attractive to seafaring types, dating back to the Wampanoag Sippicans who harvested the abundant fish, waterfowl, and shellfish in the local waters.

Indeed, from 1678 to 1852 the area was called “Sippican” until its separation from the town of Rochester, whereupon it was renamed for Revolutionary War hero General Francis Marion. While small-scale fishing and farming were the chief pursuits of the Colonial settlers, the early 1800s saw Marion flourish and solidify its ties to the sea.

According to the Sippican Historical Society, the town’s chief product during this period were the mariners who sailed on whaleships, coastal schooners, and Liverpool packets. While neighboring Mattapoisett served as a shipbuilding center, Marion tended more toward producing sailors than boats. At one point, 87 ship captains lived in town. Local boys went to sea at the age of 16 and worked their way up through the ranks to become mates and captains.

Bird Island Light is a historic lighthouse at the entrance to Sippican Harbor.

As the whaling and shipbuilding industries faded in the mid-1800s, Marion declined in prosperity until tourism began drawing wealthy visitors to the southeast coast of Massachusetts. By 1880, Marion had become a popular resort destination, attracting the likes of Grover Cleveland, Henry James, and other luminaries. These “summer people” bought the homes of former ship captains or built their own around the harbor, and spent their time socializing and enjoying the breezes of Buzzards Bay.

Today, that tradition continues, and from May to October Marion hosts some of the most beautiful yachts in New England. The harbor even boasts its own schooner—the Tabor Boy—which is owned by Tabor Academy and used for sailing education cruises. The forest of masts that populates Marion’s inner harbor from May to October makes it easily visible from the middle of Buzzards Bay on a clear day, while the long, narrow harbor provides excellent shelter in winds from almost every direction.

Transient boaters can find slips and moorings at Bardens Boat Yard and Burr Brothers. Both also offer service, repair, and fuel. Anchoring is also possible, and there is good holding ground and protection just north of Ram Island, as well as in the more exposed outer harbor. Visitors in small boats can tie up at the town wharf for a short period, space permitting, while they go ashore to reprovision or get a bite to eat. Dinghies can be left for up to three hours in front of the harbormaster’s office, whose staff can provide more information on transient options, and may be able to arrange for longer stays.

Of course, Marion is also a pretty awesome place to keep a boat for the season, as it offers quick access to many cruising destinations, including Cuttyhunk, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and various Cape Cod harbors. Additionally, the nearby Cape Cod Canal serves as a convenient gateway for trips to Provincetown and points north of the Cape.

Closer to home, the bay’s predictable afternoon southwesterlies have long made Marion a favorite destination among sailors, and today the town hosts numerous sailing events, chief among them the Marion to Bermuda Race, the Buzzards Bay Regatta (hosted by the Beverly Yacht Club), and the J80 races. In between are various smaller regattas and weekly races that keep the harbor hopping through the summer.

Marion hosts many sailing events during the summer.

And while Marion is primarily known as a yachting port, plenty of fishermen call it home, as well. Fast action with stripers, bluefish, sea bass, fluke, tautog, and scup is available right outside the harbor in May and June, while the run to midsummer hot spots is relatively close, as well. Those who stick around until late August and early fall can chase false albacore and bonito.

Although Marion’s main delights are nautical in nature, it also offers some shoreside attractions worth exploring. A good stretch of that shore—from the harbormaster’s office to the old town landing and launch ramp—is occupied by Tabor Academy, a private school established in 1878 by local philanthropist Elizabeth Taber. On any given day when school’s in session, a parade of small sailing vessels and rowing shells crewed by Tabor students can be seen filing in and out of the harbor.

The rest of Marion Center is pretty and quiet, with shady, tree-lined streets lined by classic homes. Tucked among its back streets are the Marion Art Center, which has a gallery and hosts live theatre performances, and the Elizabeth Taber Library, a good place to cool off and relax on a steamy summer day.

Front Street, which parallels the western shore of the harbor, is home to the friendly, old-fashioned Marion General Store, which sells coffee and pastries, as well as meats cut to order, fine cheeses, fresh fruits and veggies, soft drinks, beer and basic sundry items. A few doors down is the Sippican Historical Society headquarters, where the curious can learn more about the history of this historic town.

Feeling hungry or thirsty? Several restaurants are within easy walking distance of the harbor, including the Atlantic Bistro, Cilantro, and Brew Fish. The morning gathering spot is Uncle Jon’s Coffee & Cafe, which serves delicious lunch and breakfast items, fine coffee, chai, lattes, expresso, sandwiches, and pastries. In keeping with the Marion tradition, owner and founder Jonathan Pope is an accomplished sailor.

Indeed, one can’t get very far in Marion without running into someone who’s a boater. But that’s no surprise in a town that’s been producing mariners for centuries.