Hyannis Harbor ~ the best kept secret

Hyannis Harbor is the best-kept secret on the east coast among yachtsmen. It is beautiful, well protected and one of the few natural deep water harbors (15' MLW approach, 14' MLW dockside) on cape Cod with a resort marina that accommodates day sailors to deep draft megayachts. As homeport to sail boats, cruising yachts, sightseeing and ferryboats, charter fishing vessels, and a commercial fishing fleet, it bustles with activity and depicts a classic Cape Cod scene. Hyannis is a perfect base for day sail, exploration to other harbors, or as a refuge to water-weary travelers. All of a boater's needs can be met here.

In addition to its harbor, Hyannis boasts a village steeped in history (Baxter's Wharf was settled in 1666) that provides an array of on-shore activities and is the home of the Kennedy family. It is also the transportation hub of Cape Cod: flights to and from Boston and New York run regularly at Barnstable Airport, a mile inland, and bus travel is available as well.

Moorings and Dockage

As one enters Lewis Bay, the Hyannis Yacht Club is to the west. Hyannis Marina is to the Northeast, just inside the inner harbor. It is a full service marina with an excellent boater's store, complete service & repair including hull repairs, and hauling up to 50 tons. Experienced dock staff is eager to accommodate the captains and crew of any size vessel, including deep draft megayachts. We offer showers, ice, laundry, dockside telephone and cable, courtesy cars, car rental service and now, wireless high-speed Internet service. Tugboats, one of the Cape's more popular restaurants, with a spectacular view of the harbor, is located on-site. A swimming pool complete with one of the cape's fun spots, Trader Ed's Cabana Bar, is available to guests. The marina accepts reservations for slips, at 508-790-4000 x 146, or radio in on VHF Channel 9 and 72.

Provided space is available, you may tie up at Hyannis Marina to dine at Tugboats (508-775-6433) or move around the harbor to Baxter's Boathouse (508-775-7040), or the Black Cat (508-778-1233) also on Hyannis Harbor, on Ocean Street.

On Shore

It is a short walk to Main Street for more dining opportunities and countless boutiques. Provisions are available at the local convenience, liquor, and hardware stores that are close by, and just a quick ride to gourmet, fish and local supermarkets.

Main Street is home to the JFK Museum, which is housed in the historic Old Town Hall and exhibits wonderful photos of JFK, Jackie and family enjoying the family compound in Hyannisport. The current and stately nineteenth century Town Hall (508-862-4610), which was once the local teaching college, and the local library (508-775-2280) also grace the street. Puritan Clothing, clothiers since 1919 on Cape Cod, has a large store complete with classic clothing styles and sportswear, and footwear for men and women. Fiesta imports clothes and goods from South America. Nantucket Trading Company, Spectrum and Red Fish Blue Fish offer a wide variety of lovely gifts and art produced by local artisans. Just around the corner from Spectrum is a nautical bookstore, which carries maritime books, magazines, artifacts and models.

Also on Main Street is an antique and vintage clothing store, the Mass. Bay Co. store for supplies and clothing, Spinnakers offers a good selection of CD's, candy shops and the Rugged Bear sells great kid's clothes. A wide variety of boutiques line Main Street for a great shopping experience. Quaint entertainment is also available with a children's outdoor carousel, an arcade, a mini golf course and bowling!

Of course, no main street would be complete without a Ben and Jerry's, and espresso shop (Café Dolci), a French café and a news store. Way's News is a wonderful place, full of every newspaper, magazine, paperback book and card imaginable. Try Main Street's finest sandwich shop - the Box Lunch (508-790-5855) which creates soft rolled pita sandwiches - the Rollwich - made with the freshest ingredients. Dine in, take it to the beach or have it delivered.

For on-shore dining, Main Street offers a wide variety of fine restaurants. There is the RooBar - trendy, fine dining (508-778-6515), Alberto's Ristorante across the street serves elegant Italian cuisine (508-778-1170) and two Chinese restaurants on either end of the street (508-790-0238 & 508-775-9494). Also on Main Street is the Indian Pavilian that seduces with fine curries and breads (508-790-0985), the Eclectic Café is a must for those craving zany outdoor dining (508-771-7187) and Fazio's with excellent Italian country style cuisine (508-778-2878).

On the west end of Main Street is the Paddock offering fine dining (508-775-7677), the Road House Café - a bistro and great bar (508-775-2386), and Harry's serving up funky Cajun flavors with nightly live music (508-778-4188).

Excellent breakfast choices can be found at Persy's (508-790-9711) or Perry's (508-775-9711) also on Main Street.

Area cultural events include the Cape Cod Melody Tent (508-775-9100), with talent such as Aretha Franklin, Harry Belafonte, Frankie Valley, Patty Labelle, the Moody Blues, Huey Lewis and the News, the Commitments, and more. Jazz by the Sea, and the world-renowned Boston Pops perform the first weekend in August (508-790-ARTS for tickets). The harbor festival takes place in June with the annual blessing of the fleet. The Cape Cod Scenic Railroad (508-771-3800) runs a dinner train to the Cape Cod Canal. Hyannis' Main Street Festival takes place every Thursday evening in the summer. The Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce is very helpful regarding phone numbers and information (508-362-5230).

The nightlife scene takes place around the harbor at Trader Ed's Cabana Bar poolside at Hyannis Marina, Tugboats, Steamers and Baxter's. On Main Street visit the RooBar and Ocean Grill's Blue Room for dancing, and Harry's for the best in live blues music and spirits.

When one has had enough of the nightlife, shopping, and eating, one can go to the area's beautiful and abundant harbor. Veteran's Park and Kalmus Park can be reached by trolley down Ocean Street. Or sail to Craigville or Long Beach, throw out a hook, and swim or row ashore. The Kennedy complex can be seen by boat, or jump aboard Hy-Line Ferry (508-778-2600) for a narrated tour of the area. Nantucket is 23 miles from Hyannis and Edgartown is 18 miles, which makes for a delightful, triangular cruising course.

Make your plans for an unforgettable summer on Hyannis Harbor.