At this writing, businesses are under phase 2 Carona Virus restrictions… so I will first write this under normal conditions and then provide an update at the end of this blog for restrictions and changes we are working through due to the Carona Virus. As restrictions lift I will update the post until we are back to normal at the basin. There is a lot to do here even under the current restrictions.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Marina view from Pilot House Restaurant, Fishermen’s View Restaurant in the background
The “East Basin” of the Cape Cod Canal is truly a wonderful spot to visit with much to do for all ages. Whether you’re out for views, walking, biking, boating, kid’s activities, outstanding restaurants, fish markets, or great fishing… it can all be found here. It’s a favorite spot for plein air painters, to see a yacht, fishing vessel, or large ship pass by. Additionally, clean public rest rooms and plenty of free parking make this area easy to visit. I do not accept any endorsement payments, etc. There are no sponsors or paid advertisements.
Let’s explore some great things to do…
The Simple Pleasures for All… the Cape Cod Canal at the East Basin
Walking, Biking, seeing the sights…
Used with Permission. Army Corps of Engineers
Sunny day biking the canal road.
The East Basin sits neart the opening of the Cape Cod Canal on the bay side, situated at the beginning of the Cape Cod peninsula in the Town of Sandwich, MA. There are seven miles of paved, relatively flat, pedestrian roadway (no car traffic) along each side of the Cape Cod Canal (all the way from the bay to ocean side) with periodic bathrooms and rest areas along its length. It is open all day and night. So, if you like to bike or walk with lots of sights to see it’s perfect for all ages. So scenic… boats, birds, people, fishermen, panoramic bridges, and much more. Some seniors simply park a chair and a cooler for the day to watch the world go by and catch a sea breeze. Bring the sunblock and walking shoes during the day and in the depths of summer some mosquito repellant at night. A “tip” is to bring polarized sunglasses so you can clearly see into the water and spy the schools of striped bass or bait fish speeding by. To learn more about the engineering marvel called the Cape Cod Canal and what is up and down both sides of its 7 mile length go here > https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Portals/74/docs/Recreation/CCC/Brochures/Canal_Overview_Trifold.pdf
If you walk to the end of the bay side canal there is a fairly long breakwater jetty complete with a large blinking red navigation light at its far end.. The jetty sits between the canal and the Bay, and is often used by local fishermen. It’s a great place to watch the parade of small craft go by as well as occasional lager ships and tugs. At high tides during full moon the jetty is sometimes covered by breaking ocean waves. It is easily walkable if you’re agile (care to be taken with seniors and young children). Next to the jetty there are a few miles of rocky beach eventually ending up at the more sandy Town Neck Beach.
Great Fishing, (Saltwater Permit Required, available on line > https://www.mass.gov/how-to/get-a-recreational-saltwater-fishing-permit)
Walking from the marina down canal road
It was only 15 years ago that you would only see an occasional fisherman at the canal. Then word caught on that this is the place to go to catch striped bass and now when the bass are “running” you will see fisherman side by side fighting for a spot, crossing fishing lines, and well… catching fish up and down the canal. Some with specially rigged bikes to carry their rods (and fish) to their favorite spot. There are preferred spots to be sure; usually bends and bottom structure in the canal that at the right current provides plentiful baitfish “herded” by the current while the striped bass predators wait for the feeding frenzy. If you see the water “boil” with baitfish popping out of the water and the birds diving into the middle of all this… well, you just found a good spot! The canal boasts great fishing, especially for striped bass.
Top water “Plugs” are the most popular bait mostly because they prevent you from losing rigs on the rocky bottom… but chunk bait mackeral, pogies, and eels work too, especially when the current goes “slack”. Depending on the tide, the current will change direction, speed up, or slow down. Slow or slack currents makes fishing a lot more predictable and tide switches gathers bait into schools. If you plan to fish, it’s is good to get a tide chart (available at the Cape Cod Canal Visitors Center and local bait shops for free or on line here> https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Portals/74/docs/Recreation/CCC/Brochures/2020TideTables.pdf). Fishing around a slack tide (when tide is full high or full low) makes casting and placement of plugs and bait a lot easier too.
Don’t be afraid to ask a local bait shop for advice and tips. The closest bait shop (2 miles, 6 minutes from marina) is Canal Bait and Tackle 101 Cranberry Highway, Sagamore, MA… find more about them here > https://www.canalbaitandtackle.com/.
If you would like to introduce a ‘young one” to fishing, any light weight tackle will do. Fish off the bulkhead (right in front of the large center parking lot next to the marina) so you can simply drop the line… no casting required! Use small hooks, a 1 oz. weight and get a few seaworms (ugly creatures that can pinch but don’t bite) from the bait store (a small piece will do) on a small (flounder) hook. Drop the line to the bottom and real up a few feet. Jig the line. Small bait fish and sea pearch are easy to catch for a four year old. At that age, they feel like they caught moby dick. Of course, care should be taken to watch the kids closely to protect from sharp hooks or falling into the canal currents.
There are also a number of fishing charters that specialize in striped sea bass and bluefish caught in Cape Cod Bay. Tuna trips are also available but are a long excursion and expensive.
Try Captain Joe P Charters. Sea Bass and Tuna trips.
https://www.captainjoepcharters.com/
Boating
Sandwich Marina ramp and Harbormasters office.
The East Basin is the home of the Sandwich Marina. This full service marina (gas, pumpout) charges by the day ($10) or season ($150). The ramp (2 lanes) is serviceable and in good shape and there are 140 seasonal slip holders, 42 commercial slips and 24 transient slips available. Fuel service, showers and a variety of local amenities make this the perfect stop over for many. Reservations are strongly recommended if you wish to tie up for a day or night. Availabilty is usually good… although holiday and peak season weekend can fill up, so plan accordingly. Permanent slip availability in non existent. There is a 20 year plus waiting list to get a slip! There are a number of fishing boats operating out of the marina. some selling there catch (lobsters) at the dock in season. The boat ramp can be viewed in the back of the picture below left of the Harbormasters office.
The fourth of July weekends are always crazy. Seems like all the “once a year Captains” take their boats out that day. The results besides long lines of boats going in and out of the water are folks who do not know how to trailer or launch a boat. I’ve seen some visitors set up a lawn chair to watch the show. It can be pretty funny until tempers flare. If you happen to be one of those launching, keep an eye open to help all. Last time I was waiting at the ramp, a captain of one vessel forgot to put the drain plug in the boat. It’s sad to watch a boat sink just off the boat ramp. Now that’s a bad day!
The nice thing about this marina is that you are only minutes from Cape Cod Bay with its wide open waters and a few less currents and choppy waves than the ocean side of Cape Cod. 17 nautical miles across the Bay will get you to Provincetown. It’s 10 nautical miles to Barnstable Harbor, and 12 nautical miles to Plymouth from the marina.
Children’s Activities
Well, we already talked about walking, biking the canal, and fishing, there are other activities for kids.
Cape Cod Canal Visitors Center – The Cape Cod Canal Visitors Center is operated by the Army Corps of Engineers; located 60 Ed Moffitt Drive which sits just past the marina on the right as you face it.
Cape Cod Canal Visitors Center
It is simply a GREAT place for kids with many activities. All FREE. They can climb on a real canal patrol boat housed within the building; stand at a ships wheel that simulates steering a course down the canal, or participate in a number of games and activities about local sealife or navigation and more. The rangers are friendly and cater to kids. Take a look here: Visitors_Center_Brochure
Playground – on the left side of the marina next to Fisherman’s view reataurant is a playground suitable of small children (ages 2-8)
Ice Cream – A cool treat on a hot day. See below under restaurants.
Great Restaurants for foodies….
So many to choose from! In the past 10 years the restaurant scene has really exploded at the basin.
Seafood Sams.
https://www.seafoodsams.com/sandwich
Plenty of parking at Seafood Sams
Eat in or take out… with a focus on take out. Specializing in Fried Seafood as well as all your seafood favorites. Alcohol is available.
Many people take out and sit on the canal watching the boats go by as they eat. Watch the seagulls… they love French fries!
The Pilot House
https://www.pilothousecapecod.com/
Outdoor dining at the Pilot House. On a sunny, crisp fall day the place to be!
Outdoor bar and entertainment too! Indoor marina views available as well.
Nice setting, a full service restaurant. Varied menu of seafood, beef, pasta. Scenic Views, great marina view, entertainment on week ends. Reservations suggested.
Fishermens’ View.
Outside front façade of Fishermen’s View Restaurant
View from the bar at the Fisherman’s View. Indoor and outdoor seating.
The focus at the Fishermen’s View is on seafood. They are a full service restaurant, always busy and do not always take reservations. Reservations suggested when available.
The Fisherman’s view boasts the freshest fish, some of which is caught by there own fleet. There is a great variety including sushi, “buck a shuck” oyster happy hours, and some upscale creative dishes. Fisherman’s View strives to keep an innovative menu.
At days end you can often watch them unload the catch. On the left hand side of the building they also operate a fish market open daily. They make great crab cakes and they are available in the restaurant and at the fish market as well. Fisherman’s View has a fantastic canal and marina view with many seats that have a view of boats and ships sailing by. There is nothing like a sunset view of the marina, canal, and the Bourne Bridge. Check them out here: https://www.fishermensview.com/
Shipwrecks Ice Cream.
Located at the intersection of Tupper Road and Ed Moffit Drive… right on the way, going in or coming out. Nice way to finish a visit to this area!
High cream content and full of what you like! YUM!
Really good ice cream, picnic tables, turtles for the kids to look at.
See them on Facebook> https://www.facebook.com/Shipwreck-Ice-Cream-294988863863859/
Fish Markets at the Marina…
Fishermen’s View. Left side of the restaurant. Small but well stocked fish market.
Superior Lobaster and Seafood. (Previously “Joe’s Lobster Mart”). Newly opened.
Located at 8 Gallo Road next to pilot house. Plenty of parking.
Large fish market from established company that specializes in wholesale lobsters around the globe.
Full array of fish.
Open 7 days a week. 8AM to 6PM
Check them out here: https://www.superiorlobster.com/
Other:
Aerial Map… Cape Cod Canal East Basin
Most of the activities and areas discussed in this blog have been identified on the map above.
If you plan to spend the day this will help you decide where to park. To walk this area from end to end is about 1 mile. That’s canal service road all the way to the end of the jetty.
Coast Guard Station
There is a small Coast Guard Station located at the Rast Basin. It is not open to the public. The coast guard maintains a few rescue boats that also serve to police boater safety on the canal and in Cape Cod Bay.
Recreation Map:
For your use and enjoyment a Cape Cod Canal Recreation Map here:
https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Portals/74/docs/Recreation/CCCRecMap.pdf
How to get there…
From the Mainland
- Go over Sagamore Bridge
- Take Route 6 EXIT 1C
- Turn Right at traffic light and follow 6A EAST
- Take First LEFT, TUPPER ROAD
- Take LEFT onto FREEZER ROAD
- Marina straight ahead and multiple activities discussed circle marina.
Have you been to the East Basin in Sandwich? What did you like best?
Let me know with your comment… Rnsmithfinearts@gmail.com
Pandemic Response:
With the carona virus and people being out of work this area has been very, very, busy on weekends. I have never seen the plentiful overflow parking full until now. The restaurants are currently open but for outdoor dining following social distance guidelines and takeout is available as well. Reservations are required as seating is limited.
The Visitors Center is currently closed… awaiting a lessening of CO – 19 spread.
Marina is open. Social distancing and facemasks expected as you launch your water craft.
I wouldn’t hesitate to go unless you are very senior or immune compromised… but be smart and be safe… masks and hand sanitizer should be used.
Latest Painting: East Basin Sandwich Marina
I’ve painted a number of paintings in this area… especially of sunsets behind the Bourne or Sagamore Bridges. This picture is of another Cape Cod sunset at the marina.
Those interested in seeing all my paintings you can view them on my web site, each picture also ties to my custom gift shop:
You can also sign up on my mailing list (top of home page) to receive future blogs or to see all my past blogs.
Prints and other fine gifts are also available by contacting me directly or through customer order at:
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/107-robert-smith
Don’t hesitate to contact me directly, I can help…
Have a comment, suggestion, question, or request? Love to hear from you. Contact my e-mail or comment on my web site above: Rnsmithfinearts@gmail.com
Next Months blog…. Sandy Neck… beach off roading and more.
If you enjoyed this please like me on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RNSmithfinearts/?eid=ARCHIQhWAMpSBT0Po33HXrdp76FnZBPVycENpYVcGiAd-j0XLFPbZrPGgtMSQ_dZQk3SWVQX7MfqQQUc
And… if you know someone who might enjoy it please share with a friend!
See you soon!