Boston Harbor Boating Guide

Boston Harbor is one of the great boating destinations in the country. I say that having run boats up and down the East Coast. The combination of harbor islands, coastal towns, open ocean access, and city skyline views is hard to beat. But it can also be intimidating if you do not know where to go, where to dock, and what to watch out for.

This is the guide I wish someone had given me my first season here. Straight from someone who runs these waters daily.

The Harbor Islands: Your Backyard Playground

Spectacle Island

Spectacle Island is the crown jewel for Boston boaters. It is less than four miles from most harbor marinas. The island has a deep-water dock, a marina with seasonal moorings, a visitor center, beaches, and miles of walking trails with panoramic views of the Boston skyline.

The dock can accommodate boats up to about 40 feet. Arrive before 11am on summer weekends or you will be rafting up. During the week, you will often have the dock to yourself. There is no fuel on the island, so top off before you go.

The swimming beach on the west side is one of the cleanest in the harbor. Pack a cooler, anchor off the beach if the dock is full, and spend the day. This is the easiest day trip in Boston boating.

Georges Island

Georges Island is home to Fort Warren, a Civil War era fort that is worth exploring. The island has a dock and is served by the harbor ferry, so it can get busy on weekends. But arriving by private boat gives you flexibility to come and go as you please.

The approach is straightforward through the Narrows. Watch for the ferry traffic and the shallow area east of the island. The dock is first-come, first-served. No overnight stays unless you are part of an organized event.

Lovells Island

Lovells is the quieter alternative. It has a small beach, tide pools, and the remains of old fortifications. There is no dock, so you will need to anchor off and dinghy in. The anchorage on the west side is protected in westerly winds but exposed to the east. Pick your weather day.

Peddocks Island

Peddocks is the largest harbor island and one of the least visited by recreational boaters. It has camping, walking trails, and a sense of isolation that is hard to believe given how close you are to the city. The anchorage in Hull Gut is well-protected. If you want solitude, this is your island.

Coastal Day Trips: Beyond the Harbor

Scituate Harbor

Scituate is about 15 nautical miles south of Boston. The run takes 45 minutes to an hour at cruising speed. The harbor is charming, with a few good restaurants within walking distance of the marina. Satuit Boat Club and Scituate Harbor Marina both have transient slips and fuel.

The approach to Scituate can be tricky in fog. The entrance is narrow with rocks on both sides. Use your chartplotter and radar. If you have an enclosed cockpit boat, Scituate on a cool, foggy morning is one of the great experiences of New England boating.

Marblehead

Marblehead is about 12 nautical miles north. The harbor is one of the most scenic on the East Coast. The town is walkable with restaurants, shops, and that classic New England yacht club atmosphere. Pick up a guest mooring or anchor in the outer harbor.

Be aware that Marblehead Harbor is packed in July and August, especially during race weeks. Weekday visits are significantly more relaxed. The approach from the south takes you past the iconic Marblehead Light.

Provincetown

Provincetown is the big day trip. About 25 nautical miles across Cape Cod Bay. In a fast boat doing 25 knots, you are looking at an hour and change. It is absolutely worth it. Provincetown has a long public pier with dockage, fuel, and the entire town within walking distance.

The crossing requires planning. Check the weather. Check the forecast for Cape Cod Bay specifically, not just Boston Harbor. Conditions in the Bay can be very different from what you left behind. On a calm day, the crossing is spectacular. On a rough day, it is no place for a small boat.

Hingham and Hull

Hingham Harbor and the Hull area are easy, short runs from Boston. Hingham has a nice waterfront with restaurants. Hull gives you access to Nantasket Beach and the Paragon Boardwalk area. Both are good options for a quick afternoon trip when you do not have time for a longer run.

Docking and Fuel Stops

Here are the fuel and docking options I use most frequently:

• Boston Waterboat Marina (Long Wharf) -- Fuel dock, transient slips, walking distance to the North End and downtown. Pricey but convenient.
• Constitution Marina (Charlestown) -- Full service, fuel, transient slips. Near the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill.
• Boston Harbor Shipyard and Marina (East Boston) -- Our home base. Full service, reasonable rates, and a working boatyard feel.
• Marina Bay (Quincy) -- Fuel, dining, good access to the southern harbor islands.
• Hewitt's Cove (Hingham) -- Fuel and transient moorings. Quiet, protected, and easy access to Hingham center.

Fuel prices in Boston Harbor run $5 to $7 per gallon depending on the location and the season. Marina Bay and Constitution Marina tend to be on the lower end. Downtown locations charge a premium.

Restaurants by Boat

One of the best things about boating in Boston is pulling up to a restaurant dock for dinner. Here are some favorites:

• Pier 6 (Charlestown) -- Dock your boat and walk in. Great seafood with harbor views. Reservations recommended on summer weekends.
• Barking Crab (Seaport) -- Classic Boston. You can dinghy in from an anchorage in Fort Point Channel. Casual, loud, fun.
• Legal Harborside (Seaport) -- Three floors with different vibes. Transient docking available at nearby marinas.
• The Sail Loft (North End) -- Near Boston Waterboat Marina. Cash bar, fried clams, and a crowd of salty regulars. A Boston institution.
• Marina Bay restaurants (Quincy) -- Several options right at the marina. Easy dock and dine.

Navigation Tips for Boston Harbor

Boston Harbor is a busy commercial port. You are sharing the water with container ships, LNG tankers, ferries, water taxis, tour boats, fishing vessels, and other recreational traffic. Here is what you need to know:

• The main shipping channel runs from President Roads to the inner harbor. Stay out of it unless you are crossing. Cross at right angles. Do not linger.
• Speed zones. The inner harbor is a no-wake zone. The speed limit is approximately 6 knots in most areas. Enforce it. The harbor patrol does.
• Logan Airport. The runway approach passes directly over the harbor. Do not be alarmed by low-flying aircraft. It is normal.
• Ferry traffic. The commuter ferries and harbor island ferries run on tight schedules. They have the right of way in the channel. Give them room.
• LNG tankers. When an LNG tanker is transiting, a security zone of 500 yards is enforced. Coast Guard will be on the water. Do not violate the security zone. It is a federal offense.
• Fog. Boston Harbor gets serious fog in spring and early summer. If you do not have radar, stay at the dock on fog days. If you do have radar, use it along with AIS and sound signals.

Seasonal Tips: Month by Month

May

Season opener. Water temperature is still cold. 50 to 55 degrees. Wear layers. Bring rain gear. The harbor is empty and beautiful. If you have a boat with an enclosed cockpit and heater, May is one of the best months on the water.

June

The harbor comes alive. Water warms up. Fog is common in early June. Weekend traffic picks up. The harbor islands open for the season. This is prime time for Spectacle Island day trips before the July crowds.

July and August

Peak season. The harbor is at full capacity on weekends. Start early if you want a dock at the islands. Weekday boating is significantly better. Water temperature reaches 65 to 70 degrees. Best swimming conditions of the year.

September

The secret best month. Crowds thin out. Water is still warm. Air temperature is comfortable. The light in September on the harbor is something special. If I could only boat one month a year, it would be September.

October

Shoulder season. Many boaters have hauled out. The harbor is quiet again. Early October can be spectacular. Late October gets cold and raw. Diesel heater weather for sure. The fall foliage on the harbor islands is an underrated Boston experience.

My Favorite Routes

After twenty years on this water, these are the runs I keep coming back to. Every one of them is an easy day in one of the Aquador and Nimbus vessels in our fleet, and if you would rather run these waters without the upkeep, our PowerTime ownership program covers the maintenance and slip while you cruise.

1. The Island Loop. East Boston to Spectacle Island to Georges Island to Lovells Island and back. Half day. Bring lunch.
2. The Scituate Run. South through the outer harbor, past Minot Light, into Scituate for lunch, and back. Full day.
3. The Marblehead Sunset. North to Marblehead in the late afternoon. Dinner in town. Run home at dusk with the city lights ahead of you.
4. The P-Town Crossing. Full day commitment. Cross Cape Cod Bay early, spend the day, and head back by mid-afternoon. Weather permitting.
5. The Harbor Cruise. No destination. Just run the inner harbor at sunset. Past the Seaport, under the bridges, along the waterfront. The best free entertainment in Boston.