Great Harbor Landing
Woods Hole Village is a globally renowned center of marine science on Buzzards Bay – and you can experience it for yourself when you launch from Great Harbor Landing. Located next to the Woods Hole Science Aquarium, this town of Falmouth-owned boat ramp is a gateway to the busy waters of Great Harbor, Buzzards Bay, Vineyard Sound, and the Elizabeth Islands.
Features
You don’t need a ferry to take a trip out of Woods Hole! Launch from Great Harbor Landing, and you can head out on your own boating adventure.
Boaters can launch from Great Harbor Landing into the bustling waters of Woods Hole. There’s lots of action on Great Harbor – from commercial fishing and marine research vessels to whimsical houseboats to the gigantic Martha’s Vineyard ferries. Although this ramp is free and open to the public, parking is extremely limited nearby in town.
From Great Harbor Landing, circle around the shores of Woods Hole Village to Eel Pond through the drawbridge, which opens every half hour. Or explore beyond Great Harbor to the Elizabeth Islands, Martha’s Vineyard, and the open waters of Buzzards Bay. Because of its close proximity to these great fishing spots, Great Harbor Landing is an excellent launch point for saltwater anglers.
Habitats & Wildlife
Strong currents flow just beyond Great Harbor, where a passage connects Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound. This strait, called “Woods Hole,” is where the neighboring village gets its name. With natural rocky shorelines, rich wildlife populations, and lots of different types of vessels on the water, Woods Hole is one of Buzzards Bay’s most unique marine habitats.
In winter, Great Harbor is a resting place for migratory harbor seals and seabirds. Look for seals hauled out on rocks along the harbor’s shoreline on sunny winter days. On the surface, seabirds like eiders, scoters, and scaup raft by the thousands.
