Making for Hadley Harbor

41 deg 30 min 45 sec North, 070 deg 42 min 4 sec West - charts #13235, 13229

One of the most pleasant harbors to sail to or lay over in from Buzzards Bay or Vineyard Sound is Hadley Harbor. It is considered "one of the best protected and attractive anchorages in the cruising ground south of Cape Cod," according to the Cruising Guide to the New England Coast. In the last 10 to 15 years, it has also become one of the most popular day and weekend stopovers for power and sailboaters who prefer to raft up and socialize while waiting for the current to turn in Woods Hole or for a day or overnight trip.

Caution: There are rocks. Fortunately, you can see them as you approach the entrance to Woods Hole from Buzzards Bay. As you pass Can 11 entering the Broadway passage, bear right, leaving Can 11 astern and the rocks to port. Keep an eye on the depth sounder, if you have one. As you approach the rocks, you'll see the marked Hadley Harbor channel to the east. You can take that route in also.

Outside the channel farther east off Nonamesset Island lies a decent anchorage, although it shoals up near shore. Because all but a handful of the Elizabeth Islands are privately-owned and maintained, you cannot go ashore here.

Inside the harbor, you may find more boats on moorings and anchors than to your liking. Chug in as far as you dare, depending on your depth, then watch your back as you turn around and head for the anchorage outside the harbor northeast of Bull Island.

If you choose to anchor or take a mooring inside, keep the channel open for a private ferry that runs from Woods Hole Harbor to the islands several times a day. Depths range from nine to 15 or 16 feet near the channel.

There are no amenities other than three large moorings placed inside the harbor in the last few years by the Coast Guard. Other moorings inside the harbor are private, and their owners or guests often leave a dinghy attached to the mooring to let you know they'll be back.

From either inside or outside the harbor, you can dinghy ashore at Bull Island and hike around the island in less than a half hour. At high tide, you may have to slosh through knee-high (but warm) water, and it's a good idea to wear socks to prevent an attack from the deer tick known to carry Lyme Disease. Dogs are welcome. There are swimmers both inside and outside the harbor; a large sign on Bull Island tells you to hang onto your refuse and flush to the holding tank.