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Marinas · Massachusetts

Marinas in Massachusetts

Cruise 20 marinas across Massachusetts. Maps, hours, contact info, photos, and verified operator profiles, all in one place.

Cape Cod, the Berkshires, and the Quabbin.

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About Massachusetts

Massachusetts has been putting boats to sea longer than it has been a state, and the coastline shows it: Boston Harbor's working depths, Cape Cod's long sandy hook, and the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket standing offshore. Counting the islands, the shoreline runs over 1,500 miles: enough for a lifetime of sailing routes, powerboat runs, and quiet anchorages. Lighthouses and old port towns line the way. You can hug a protected bay, punch out into the open Atlantic, or settle into the calmer water of Buzzards Bay, and each choice asks something different of the boat and the skipper.

The water around Cape Cod deserves its reputation. Cape Cod Bay offers calmer conditions and the chance of whales; the Atlantic side is open ocean, honest and exposed. South of the Cape, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket are the marquee stops: Edgartown and Nantucket Town harbors run thick with transient traffic in high season, and ashore there's fine dining, boutiques, and beaches that stay wild a short bike ride from the docks. The passages between the mainland and the islands demand attention: tidal currents run hard and the shoals move.

North of the Cape, Boston Harbor mixes city and cruising ground, urban marinas steps from downtown, and the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park scattered just offshore. The North Shore continues the theme, with Salem and Gloucester pairing maritime history with granite coast. Inland, the Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers carry boats too, and big freshwater bodies like the Quabbin Reservoir add another dimension, though access rules and vessel restrictions apply, so check before you trailer.

Best time to go

When to cruise in Massachusetts

Full seasonality
Peak season Jun–Aug
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May through October.

  • June–September: the main boating season
  • September: often the best weather of the year
  • Watch for fast-moving summer thunderstorms

20 on the map

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Quick facts

Boat launches mapped
208
Rivers mapped
60
Marinas listed
20
Best season
May through October

At a glance

Marinas in Massachusetts at a glance

The first 10 of 20 marinas listed in Massachusetts, in the same order as the full list below. Ratings and review counts are from Google.

Marinas in Massachusetts at a glance
MarinaCityRating
Atlantis MarinaWinthrop4.578 Google reviews
Bass River MarinaWest Dennis4.569 Google reviews
Beverly Port Marina IncBeverly4.076 Google reviews
Boston Waterboat MarinaBoston4.779 Google reviews
Captain's Cove MarinaQuincy4.379 Google reviews
Charlestown MarinaCharlestown4.8146 Google reviews
Constitution MarinaBoston4.6369 Google reviews
Crystal Cove MarinaWinthrop4.542 Google reviews
Danversport MarinaDanvers4.578 Google reviews
Endeavor Sailing ExcursionsNantucket4.830 Google reviews

Water Explorer

Boat launches across Massachusetts

Tap a launch to pinpoint it on the map, then open it for ramp type, fees, and the nearest marina.

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20 marinas

across Massachusetts

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Live webcams in Massachusetts

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Boston Approach BuoyCam (NDBC 44013) live webcamLive
Harbor cam · 16 NM East of Boston, Massachusetts

Boston Approach BuoyCam (NDBC 44013)

via NOAA NDBC

Plan your trip

Plan your trip to Massachusetts

Signature Waters & Boating Season

Massachusetts offers extensive coastal waters including Massachusetts Bay, Buzzards Bay, and Cape Cod Bay, along with numerous navigable rivers and some large freshwater lakes. The primary boating season extends from early May through late October, with July and August being the busiest months.

Slip & Transient Dockage

Demand for transient slips and moorings is exceptionally high, particularly in popular destinations like Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and key Cape Cod towns. Advance reservations, often months ahead, are strongly recommended, especially for weekend stays and during summer.

Fuel & Pump-Out Access

Coastal marinas generally provide readily available fuel (gasoline and diesel) and pump-out facilities. Massachusetts is a No Discharge Zone for vessel sewage, making pump-out use mandatory. Inland lakes and rivers may have more limited access to these services.

Weather & Wind Considerations

Coastal Massachusetts is subject to variable weather, including dense fog, strong sea breezes, and occasional severe thunderstorms. Boaters should closely monitor marine forecasts, especially during hurricane season (June 1 - November 30), and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.

Navigation & Tides

Navigating Massachusetts waters requires attention to tides and currents, which can be significant in areas like the Cape Cod Canal and various island passages. Shoaling is common in many harbors and channels, necessitating up-to-date charts and careful navigation.

Confirm current requirements with the state agency before your trip. Rules and fees change every season.

  • Boater Education Card

    Under the Hanson-Milone Boater Safety Act, a boater safety certificate is required to operate any motorboat or PWC in Massachusetts, regardless of engine size. The requirement phases in by birth year: operators born after January 1, 1989 must have a certificate by April 1, 2026, and all remaining operators by April 1, 2028. There are also specific requirements for Personal Watercraft (PWC) operators regardless of age.

    Massachusetts Environmental Police

  • Vessel Registration

    All motor-powered vessels operating on public waters in Massachusetts must be registered with the Massachusetts Environmental Police; non-motorized boats, including sailboats without a motor, are exempt regardless of length. Registration is renewed biennially.

    Massachusetts Environmental Police

  • Saltwater Recreational Fishing Permit

    Any person 16 years of age or older fishing recreationally for finfish in the marine waters of Massachusetts must possess a valid Massachusetts Saltwater Recreational Fishing Permit. Specific regulations apply to different species.

    Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

  • No Discharge Zones

    Massachusetts coastal and inland waters are designated No Discharge Zones (NDZs). This means that discharge of treated or untreated sewage from any vessel is prohibited. All vessels with marine sanitation devices must use pump-out facilities or hold their waste.

    Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management
  1. 01

    1. Assess Your Boating Needs and Skills

    Be honest about what you want (coastal cruising, fishing, island hopping), and about whether your skills match the water. That answer also decides between a bareboat charter and putting a captain on the payroll.

  2. 02

    2. Fulfill Boater Education & Licensing Requirements

    Check whether you or your primary operator needs a Massachusetts Boater Education Card, which depends on age and vessel type. If fishing is on the itinerary, line up the permits now.

  3. 03

    3. Plan Your Itinerary and Reserve Dockage/Charters

    Pick your destinations, plot the route, then get on the phone: transient slips, moorings, and charter boats in the popular harbors book out well ahead in summer.

  4. 04

    4. Monitor Marine Weather and Tides

    Marine forecasts, wind, and tide charts belong in your routine before and during the trip. New England coastal weather turns without much courtesy, and several passages run strong current on the tide.

  5. 05

    5. Prepare Your Vessel and Safety Gear

    Confirm the required gear is aboard (life jackets, flares, sound-producing device), whether it's your boat or a charter. Learn the local navigation rules and emergency procedures before you need them.

01How many marinas are listed in Massachusetts?
Boating Hubs lists 20 marinas in Massachusetts: wet slips, fuel docks, dry storage, charter operators, and full-service yards.
02What is the primary boating season in Massachusetts?
Early May through late October, broadly. July and August are the peak (warmest weather, every service running), while late spring and early fall trade a few degrees for quieter harbors and easier dockage.
03Are there any specific boater education requirements for visitors?
Yes. Operators of motorized vessels born after January 1, 1989 need a boating safety certificate, and personal watercraft operators face their own requirements regardless of age. Even where it isn't mandatory, a safety course is time well spent on these waters.
04How easy is it to find transient dockage, especially on the Cape and Islands?
In July and August, not easy. Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket fill up fast, and summer weekends and holidays are the worst of it. Reserve far ahead: for the popular harbors, that often means months, not weeks.
05What are the best areas for sailing versus powerboating in Massachusetts?
Sailors do well in Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay, where the breeze is dependable and the water relatively protected. Powerboaters lean toward the open ocean off Cape Ann, the fast island passages, and harbor-hopping along the coast. Boston Harbor serves both crowds.
06Are pump-out facilities readily available in Massachusetts marinas?
Yes, and you'll need them. Massachusetts coastal waters are No Discharge Zones, so sewage must go through a pump-out, and marinas are generally well equipped for it. A quick call to confirm availability at your destination never hurts.
07Can I fish while boating in Massachusetts waters?
Yes. Anyone 16 or older fishing for finfish in saltwater needs a Massachusetts Saltwater Recreational Fishing Permit, and freshwater fishing requires its own separate license. Species rules and catch limits change, so check current regulations before you wet a line.

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