Chatham’s Twin Harbors
A favorite destination for its impressive scenery, great fishing and amazing beaches, Chatham also holds the distinction of serving boaters with not one, but two harbors. The twin harbors consist of Chatham Harbor in the east and Stage Harbor in the south, both providing distinct services to boaters in the Cape Cod area.
Chatham Harbor is home to a majority of the region’s local fishing boats, plus offers up access to Pleasant Bay and the Atlantic. It’s not always a simple destination for small boats as numerous winter storms have changed the coastline here, sometimes making conditions a bit dangerous before entering. For this reason boaters are encouraged to really watch out for channel markers, especially around Chatham Harbor.
Still, though, Chatham Harbor does lead on to Pleasant Bay’s well-protected waters with boating facilities at Ryder’s Cove Boat Yard, including fuel, moorings and slips. While there’s not a dock-and-dine restaurant in Chatham Harbor, over on the Harwich side of the bay boaters have access to the Wequassett Inn.
Meantime Stage Harbor boaters are protected from the open ocean by the barrier island of Monomoy. With sheltered waters the location offers a number of marinas, some anchoring space and access on to Downtown Chatham. There are some strong cross currents at the harbor entrance, though, so boaters are also advised to keep aware in this location.
To get to the Atlantic side boaters from Stage Harbor motor around Monomoy, though smaller boats can sometimes take a non-marked channel for quicker access. Some boaters from Stage Harbor can also reach Chatham’s Main Street via Oyster Pond River and Oyster Pond. While the pond’s west side supplies two marinas the east shore landing is only a short walk from the village.
Available marinas in Stage Harbor include Stage Harbor Marine, Oyster River Boatyard and Chatham Yacht Basin, all with fuel, boat slips and moorings. In addition you’ll find a marine store at Outermost Harbor Marine.
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