Old Scituate Light greets boaters at the harbor entrance.

During my time as Co-Host and Co-Producer of New England Boating TV, I’ve been able to film in some of the best boating destinations our region has to offer. Many were the popular harbors that draw the big tourist crowds, while others were lesser-known spots.

It’s these under-the-radar boating destinations—the ones our viewers say they haven’t visited, or even heard of—that are particularly satisfying to explore and share. Among them was Scituate, Massachusetts, and if you haven’t been to this amazing port of call, you should.

Scituate Beaches and History

Scituate is, if you pardon the word play, perfectly situated along Boston’s South Shore, which stretches from Hingham to Cape Cod. The South Shore is a unique section of the Commonwealth comprising several towns, each with its own distinct personality.

Kayakers endjoy the North River.

I lived on the South Shore for 15 years, and although I didn’t live in Scituate, I’ve spent a good deal of time there and have developed a tremendous attachment to it. With 21 miles of coastline, including five beaches and four rivers, there’s no shortage of adventures to be had.

Of course, the locals have known this all along. Incorporated in 1636 and named after the Wampanoag word for “cold brook,” Scituate is rich with history. Many large sailing ships were built along the North River in the 1800s, and the harbor has served as a commercial fishing port for more than a century. Not surprisingly, the town has an extremely active Historical Society, as well as a motivated Economic Development Commission. Take a peek at the town’s events and festivals calendar and you’ll see that Scituate clearly celebrates its past and present.

There are several different recognized parts to the town, including First, Second, and Third Cliffs; The Glades, Humarock, Egypt, Sand Hills, Minot, Greenbush, North Scituate, and the Harbor. Our focus for the Scituate TV episode was the Harbor, which encompasses both the inner harbor and the thriving business district that surrounds it.

Scituate Boating

The harbor is picturesque, but also well protected and easy to navigate. Boaters approaching from any direction can simply pick up the red-white “SA” gong a half-mile east of the harbor then follow the well-marked channel through the breakwater and past the iconic Old Scituate Lighthouse.

The sunset begins over the harbor.

In terms of transient accommodations, Scituate is served by a yacht club and several marinas, including two managed by the town and harbormaster’s office: Cole Parkway Marina and the Maritime Center at Scituate Marine Park. The latter is a multi-use facility with a full-service boatyard, as well as slips, showers, and a function room with an outside deck.

Other harbor marinas include Mill Wharf Marina, Scituate Harbor Marina, and Scituate Boat Works. We kept our Pursuit C260 at Mill Wharf. Over the last several years, the marina has received many upgrades, and offers a host of transient amenities, such as floating slips, WiFi, showers, and a fuel dock.

Trailer-boat access to the harbor is equally good, as there is a free, all-tide ramp with a courtesy float and ample parking very close to the inlet.

Scituate Restaurants and Shops

While filming the Scituate episode, our crew stayed at the Inn at Scituate Harbor, a comfortable, convenient spot right in the heart of it all. The inn is one of a handful of accommodations in town and provides a continental breakfast and harbor views from every room.

Boaters can dock at TK O’Malley’s Sports Café for food and drinks.

Front Street—the main street along the harbor—has everything a visiting boater could want or need. And I mean everything. There are boutiques, nautical gift shops, art galleries, ice cream and coffee shops, breakfast spots, wine and gourmet shops, a movie theatre, a bowling alley, a hardware store, a bank, and the Village Market, a perfect place for provisioning your boat.

The harbor also boasts many restaurants that appeal to all tastes. Local favorites include T.K.O. Malley’s, Satuit Tavern, the Barker Tavern, and Maria’s Sub Shop. Scituate offers ultra foodies something to talk about as well, with contemporary gastro pubs like Galley Kitchen & Bar and Oro.

Exploring Scituate Harbor

In the summer, the harbor is bustling, but it doesn’t feel touristy at all. It feels like an authentic, year-round community filled with folks who are genuinely delighted to welcome you to their waterways and walkways. And speaking of that, Scituate is extremely pedestrian-friendly. There are sidewalks everywhere, and people make good use of them. From early morning to sunset, you can find walkers and joggers enjoying the sunshine and salty air.

Visitors interested in exploring farther afield can bike or take a ride-share or cab to North Scituate Village. The Village is one of the two commuter rail stops in Scituate, and comprises several shops and restaurants.

Boaters and fishermen convene at the Spit, at the mouth of the North River.

Another option for getting around the town and the harbor is the Scituate Sloop, a low-cost shuttle that makes stops at the Maritime & Irish Mossing Museum, Wheeler Park, and other area attractions. The Sloop also stops at the Widow’s Walk, an 18-hole golf course adjacent to the scenic North River.

James Landing and The Spit

Speaking of which, the river is a boating destination in itself. It’s idyllic. When we visited, we met a group of plein air painters capturing its beauty in oils and watercolors. This lovely, marsh-lined waterway is also great for canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Paddlers can put in at James Landing and follow the river upstream or head south toward The Spit, a large sandbar at the mouth of the river. When the tide recedes, The Spit reveals itself as a beach-lovers playground, with acres of soft, white sand and tidal pools for kids to play in. Boaters can nose their bow right onto the sand and unload their beach toys, chairs, coolers, and grills. We filmed a short segment on The Spit during which we talked to several families who referred to it as a slice of paradise. We couldn’t have agreed more.

Scituate is a destination like no other. It doesn’t boast the mansions of Newport, nor is it a Presidential retreat like Kennebunkport.

Scituate has a more subtle appeal—traditional yet trendy, historic yet hip—a breathtakingly beautiful place made up of artists, executives, fishermen, and others who all who seem to agree on one thing: It’s perfectly situated.