By land area, Fairhaven is the smallest town on Buzzards Bay at just 12 square miles. The entire town lies within the Buzzards Bay watershed, with New Bedford to the west, Mattapoisett to the east, and Acushnet to the north. As of the 2010 Census, Fairhaven was home to 15,873 residents. Its shoreline stretches 29 miles along Buzzards Bay, New Bedford Harbor, and Nasketucket Bay.

Top Stories in Fairhaven

UPDATE: Mattapoisett River Reserve wetland restoration continues, The Bogs and Tripps Mill trails temporarily closed

Construction to restore natural habitats at the Mattapoisett River Reserve is currently underway. Trails at The Bogs are currently closed, and the trails and parking area at Tripps Mill will be temporarily closed starting Tuesday, January 16.
Please enjoy other nearby trails that will remain open.

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Fairhaven’s Douglass Christmas Tree Farm Protected

In December, the Coalition purchased 26 acres of land on Sconticut Neck in Fairhaven that will safeguard water quality and coastal habitats in the face of sea level rise, preserve the scenic beauty of "The Neck,” and preserve farmland.

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Safeguarding 436 acres for clean drinking water

Two key projects, one complete and one in progress, will preserve a total of 436 acres of land in the Mattapoisett River Valley and Dartmouth’s Paskamansett River Valley, protecting local public drinking water supplies. 

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Upcoming Events in Fairhaven

Buzzards Bay Swim – Registration Now Open!
Sat, June 22
6:30AM - 10:30AM
Fort Phoenix State Reservation,
Fairhaven
Falmouth Road Race
Sun, August 18
Woods Hole to Falmouth Heights,
Falmouth
Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride
Sun, October 06
Sakonnnet Point to Woods Hole,
Falmouth

Places To Go in Fairhaven

West Island Town Beach

Set next to windswept salt marshes on West Island, this Fairhaven beach is a paradise for outdoors lovers.

Phoenix Bike Trail

The 4.5-mile paved Phoenix Bike Trail is a gateway to Fairhaven's coastal forests and salt marshes.

Hoppy’s Landing

Called a “fisherman’s paradise," Hoppy’s Landing on West Island in Fairhaven is your gateway to Buzzards Bay.

Current Issues

Nitrogen Pollution

Nitrogen pollution is the greatest long-term threat to the health of Buzzards Bay. We all contribute nitrogen pollution to our local waterways. Fortunately, we can all do our part to stop it.

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Working to Save Buzzards Bay

The Buzzards Bay Coalition is a membership-supported organization dedicated to improving the health of the Buzzards Bay ecosystem for all through education, conservation, research, and advocacy.

We work to protect clean water on the Bay and on the land: