Things to Do Near the Sandwich Marina

One of the more visible facilities on the Cape Cod Canal is the Sandwich Marina, a former harbor of refuge that is now home to 140 seasonal slips, 42 commercial slips, and 24 transient slips.

Visitors bringing their boats to the Cape can reserve a transient slip ahead of time. From there, they can utilize the marina’s fuel dock, pump-out, restrooms, and showers.

However, even if you don’t have a boat on Cape Cod, you might check out the region encompassing the marina because there’s plenty to see and do.

Here’s a look at the activities you’ll find at the Sandwich Marina and its surrounding area.

Charter Boats

We mentioned that the Sandwich Marina has 42 commercial boating slips, and sportfishing charters often use these spaces. If you want to catch some fish in Cape Cod Bay, you’ll have some options available.

The Laura Jay is a 31-foot boat that Don Cianciolo captains. This charter can take six people at a time on four, six, or eight hours trips and provides all tackle and fish cleaning services.

Captain Joe Penta operates the 38-foot H&H Osmond, a custom vessel that can handle groups of up to six on half-day and full-day excursions. The captain specializes in helping anglers catch striped bass.

Jackie Lu Charters, featuring Captain Barry Bader, runs charters for two to four people onto Cape Cod Bay. They’ll take you trawling for bluefish or striped bass and even operate sightseeing tours into Provincetown.

These charters operate from the Sandwich Marina, so reserve your spot before arriving on the Cape to avoid missing out.

Restaurants and Markets

The Sandwich Marina area is stacked with restaurants and has a couple of seafood markets, too.

Some of the most popular eateries are the Pilot House Restaurant and Seafood Sam’s, both of which sit east of the marina off Ed Moffit Drive. You’ll find further dining options south of the marina, including Captain Scott’s Seafood, The Shipwreck Ice Cream, Cafe Chew, and Moto Pizza.

Suppose you’d rather buy some seafood to cook at your vacation rental. In that case, Fishermen’s View is a restaurant and market sitting on the west side of the marina, while Superior Lobster & Seafood is beside the Pilot House. These markets have some of the Cape’s freshest seafood offerings and are must-visits when staying in the Sandwich area.

The Sandwich Recreation Area

West of the marina, directly beside Fisherman’s View, sit the Sandwich Recreation Area and Sandwich Marine Park. This area is bustling with activity, so you can easily plan an entire day around your visit.

For starters, there’s a playground where you can take the kids for some playtime as you watch the yachts and ships float by on the Cape Cod Canal. There are picnic tables there, too, so you can grab some food from Fishermen’s View and enjoy it outdoors.

You’re also sure to see people fishing from the shore in this location, and they have some pretty good success. If you brought your tackle to the Cape and have the necessary license, feel free to put your line in the water to see what you can snag.

The Sandwich Recreation Area also has a bike trail that lines the Cape Cod Canal. You can take this path west to where the Canal empties into Buzzards Bay or east to Cape Cod Bay. The route is paved and easy to find, making it a popular track for visitors to the Cape.

Sandcatcher Recreation Area

If you take the bike trail east, you’ll come to the Sandcatcher Recreation Area. This park is where the Cape Cod Canal enters Cape Cod Bay, making it a great place to watch the ships roll by.

There’s also a beach here, and you can wander south a little bit to 1st Beach, which has a restaurant and a parking lot.

This beach is relatively secluded yet is within walking distance of the marina, making it a great place to check out during your vacation.

Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center

Finally, you can take a visit to the Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center during your time near the Sandwich Marina. This museum offers some history on the Cape Cod Canal’s planning and designing and even explains how the region looked before its creation.

Here, you’ll learn about the wildlife that makes the Cape Cod Canal home, look at live radar shots to see all of the vessels currently in the Canal, and discover what’s in most of the ships passing through the area.

A visit to the Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center is entertaining and educational. If you’re interested in this area’s history, stopping at the museum first is a good move.

Your Sandwich Vacation

Booking a vacation rental in Sandwich puts you close to all kinds of history, as this was the Cape’s first town and is full of Colonial-era houses and buildings.

However, places like the Sandwich Marina and its surrounding area offer modern amenities, albeit with a bit of history sprinkled in.

If you’re planning to spend your vacation in Sandwich, make sure you stop by the marina because there’s always something to do on this part of the Cape.