CCB MEDIA PHOTO
A whale watch boat departs Provincetown Harbor.
For any visitor to Cape Cod, a trip out on the water is mandatory. You just can’t get the full Cape experience if you don’t take some type of boat ride.
And there are so many ways to get out on the sea. Check out these hand-picked ideas.
Shark and Seal Tours
An increasingly popular attraction, one which reels in people from all over the world, is shark sighting.
These graceful yet imposing creatures are a marvel of the food chain, and there are many different kinds to see near the Cape. Makos, Porbeagles, Baskings, and, the most infamous of the lot, Great Whites can all be found in Cape Waters.
Fast-paced tours like Cape Cod Shark Adventures can pick you up at various locations and bring you directly to the animals – and when we say directly, we really mean it. Their tours offer a (completely safe!) diving component for the adventure of a lifetime. They use cages for larger species, but open water dives will get you closer to the smaller species for a view that rivals even the best aquarium.
The Monomoy Island Ferry in Chatham puts a little more distance between you and the wildlife, and also focuses on the presence of seals inside of the wildlife refuge. You’ll learn about the natural history of Monomoy, and likely see many other creatures like birds and crustaceans.
Cruise Tours
When we say “cruise,” we’re not talking about luxury liners, but these options will surely make you feel relaxed. Hy-Line offers a delightful drift through Hyannis Harbor. The ferry service’s convenient location just steps away from Main Street affords adventurers the opportunity to browse the shops, fill up on food and then enjoy the salty air from the unforgettable vantage point of a ship deck.
Learn about Hyannis landmarks like the Kennedy Compound and Squaw Island on the one-hour tour. For the history buff, try the “harbor full of history” tour which delves deep into the area’s maritime past. They even have a “Sunday ice cream float” tour which features ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s!
The same company also provides tours of the Cape Cod Canal, which regularly features live music, drinks and tours of local herring runs.
Barnstable Ecotours explores the harbor parallel to Hyannis. This tour takes you through the great marshes facing Cape Cod Bay on a pontoon boat called the Horseshoe Crab. Each tour features a naturalist guide who will fill you in on the natural history of Sandy Neck Barrier Beach, the lighthouse and Barnstable Harbor.
Another way to relax on the open water is through sailing. Outer Cape Sailing in Wellfleet features captained rides and lessons on smaller craft. Their menu of tours features both action-packed rips through Wellfleet Harbor and a “downwind sail home,” more suitable for cocktails and sunset observation.
Pirate Adventures in Hyannis offers an interactive adventure for youngsters. Every child is transformed into a pirate for the day with each assigned their own task on the ship. It’s a gang effort to find treasure, fire water cannons and hoist the Jolly Roger!
Whale Watch
This popular activity is a classic way to experience the best of Cape Cod: ocean views, diverse wildlife and a salt-tinged feeling of adventure.
Whale watching on Cape Cod is primarily done through Barnstable and Provincetown harbors. Barnstable-based watches have the advantage of location, within a thirty minute drive of the Bourne and Sagamore Bridges. Provincetown, however, is closer to the whale-filled Stellwagen Bank. Check out our guide to whale watching on Cape Cod for more information.
Duckmobiles
A Hyannis land-sea tour in a Duckmobile is perhaps the most unique item on this list. How many times have you been for a ride in a genuine repurposed military vehicle?
See where the Kennedy family went to church, where JFK gave his acceptance speech, learn about the life of early settlers in the area see a Cape Cod lighthouse and then – drive straight into the water!
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