Pope’s Island Marina
Centrally located in New Bedford Harbor, Pope’s Island Marina provides protected waters with convenient access to Buzzards Bay. With seasonal or transient slips and moorings, numerous amenities, and launch service to historic downtown New Bedford, this municipal marina makes it easy to explore local culture or head out on the water.
Features
Mariners at Pope’s Island Marina can easily access the city of New Bedford, or cruise through the New Bedford Hurricane Barrier to reach Buzzards Bay.
Pope’s Island Marina sits on a small island in the middle of upper New Bedford Harbor, just after the New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge. The marina hosts 198 slips and 50 moorings, available for both year-round (minimum length of 30 feet) and transient rental. Several local marine services rent out the moorings in the waters south of the marina, depending on location. (Transient slips and moorings can both be reserved online). Free pump-out service is available to all customers, along with trash drop-off, free wi-fi, and a picnic area with gas grills. Private restrooms and showers, ice, and coin-operated laundry make it easy to feel at home.
Next to the marina, a playground and waterfront park provide a great place for your family to play and relax after an on-the-water adventure. If you’re looking to explore the city, launch service ($3 per person each way; kids under 12 ride free) between the marina and numerous locations around the harbor connects you to restaurants, museums, art, and culture of New Bedford.
From Pope’s Island, mariners can easily journey out of New Bedford Harbor to explore points beyond. The channel in New Bedford Harbor has heavy traffic, so be sure to travel carefully as you cruise past Butler Flats Lighthouse to Buzzards Bay’s open waters. For a short trip, cruise east to anchor on sandy shores or hike forests and salt marshes on West Island. If you’re looking to adventure further, head south across the Bay to travel along the Elizabeth Islands and explore the charming beaches of Cuttyhunk.
Habitats & Wildlife
From gulls and terns to massive osprey, seabirds congregate above New Bedford Harbor and follow the fishing boats as they return to port. Within the harbor, however, toxic PCB pollution remains an issue, so fishing here is strictly catch-and-release.
