Approaches
Oak Bluffs Harbor is the old landlocked Lake Anthony, connected to Nantucket Sound by a channel first dredged around the beginning of the 20th century. About a mile off the entrance is the Squash Meadow, a shoal marked at both ends; otherwise the entrance is clear. In the prevailing southwesterly, the waters outside Oak Bluffs are comfortably in the lee of East Chop. In a strong north or east wind, however, it's likely to be rough immediately outside the breakwaters and the seas don't really get tamed until they roll about halfway in.
Fluctuating depths in the entrance channel can sometimes be an issue for long-legged boats. Although it is periodically dredged, the channel is exposed to easterly gales and is subject to nearly incessant ferry traffic. According to the harbormaster's office, the bottom gets churned around enough that shallow spots develop. The target for dredging has historically been 10 feet at MLLW. In 2011 we saw a minimum of 9 feet on an average low, but in prior years it's been as shallow as 6.5 feet. The lowest spot is typically right at the mouth of the breakwaters.
Finally, be sure to keep an eye for ferries. The big ones are headed to the terminal outside the harbor. But several come and go through the breakwaters and you'll want to time your entrance to avoid sharing the channel with them.
Anchorages
There is no room to anchor inside the breakwater and no protection outside.
Moorings & Slips
Moorings and slips are both handled by the town-owned Oak Bluffs Marina. The 45 moorings are first-come first-served. The 80 slips (mostly tie-ups to the bulkhead running around the harbor perimeter) may be reserved, and generally need to be reserved for summer weekends. Popular weekends can book up before the end of spring. There is a two-night minimum for reservations that include Friday or Saturday.
The small, family-run Dockside Marina just inside the entrance on the left has a handful of slips as well. A member who stayed there on a recent June cruise was impressed by their friendly attitude, and that they answered the phone after 5pm.
We're impressed that the harbormasters have established an 86 decibel noise limit in the harbor, and we've seen them turn boats away whose exhaust was louder.
Fitting Out
- Diesel
- Water
- Ice
- Groceries
- Chandlery
- Pumpout
Diesel is at Church's Pier, past the Harbormaster/Marina office in the back left corner of the harbor. The fuel dock is run by Jim's Package Store & Gas Station, just across the street. Staffing can be inconsistent, especially outside July and August; walk over to Jim's if you need help.
Pumpout and a water hose are free, self-service, and convenient, on a float next to the Marina office.
Ice is at Nancy's, a restaurant that's also in the back left corner of the harbor. The freezers are out on the sidewalk and there's a doorbell to ring for service. The operation may feel a little clandestine but it's proved friendly and efficient.
There's a smallish but nicely stocked grocery store right in town on Circuit Street, across the big intersection and then a block or so up from the harbor. A less comprehensive market that also sells beer and wine is in the back right corner of the harbor.
There's a good hardware store in town as well, that has supplied the clear tape we needed to seal a leaky cabin window.
