At 95,072 residents as of the 2010 Census, the city of New Bedford has Buzzards Bay’s largest year-round population. New Bedford’s land area covers 20 square miles, and nearly all of that is located within the Buzzards Bay watershed. The city is sandwiched between Dartmouth to the west, Acushnet and Fairhaven to the east, and Freetown to the north. New Bedford’s shoreline extends for 18 miles along Buzzards Bay, Clarks Cove, the Acushnet River, and New Bedford Harbor.

Top Stories in New Bedford

All In The Family: Tik Toks, Silly Signs, and the Buzzards Bay Swim

Natasha Southworth is excited to make the 30th annual Buzzards Bay Swim a family affair.

Full Story ›
Buzzards Bay Swim Stories: The Creation of “The Waterwing Division”

Because of his tenacity and dedication to Buzzards Bay, Steve Johnson helped more people swim for clean water.

Full Story ›
Building Bonds Through Swimming

Dave Lapalme and the NBY Masters team are excited to swim together again at the 30th annual Buzzards Bay Swim.

Full Story ›

Upcoming Events in New Bedford

Buzzards Bay Swim
Sat, June 24
6:30AM - 10:30AM
Fort Phoenix State Reservation,
Fairhaven
Falmouth Road Race
Sun, August 20
Woods Hole to Falmouth Heights,
Falmouth
Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride
Sun, October 01
Sakonnnet Point to Woods Hole,
Falmouth

Places To Go in New Bedford

Fort Taber Park

With a sandy beach, bike path, and fishing pier, Fort Taber Park offers sweeping Buzzards Bay views steeped in history.

Flora B. Peirce Nature Trail

A natural oasis hidden in the North End of New Bedford, Flora B. Peirce Nature Trail takes visitors on a tour of forest life.

Buttonwood Park

Known as the “crown jewel” of New Bedford, Buttonwood Park is an oasis of nature and recreation in the city.

Current Issues

Toxic Pollution

Among all of the pollution threats to Buzzards Bay, toxic contamination has seen the greatest reductions in the past several decades. But toxic pollution is still a problem in parts of the Bay. Through strong, dedicated advocacy, the Coalition is working to make toxic pollution a relic of the past.

Read More ›

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: