Barnstable Harbor is located on the northern side of Cape Cod, about halfway along its eastward length on Cape Cod Bay. Although not a particularly luxurious stop from a provisioning or supply standpoint, the harbor is very well protected, conveniently located on Cape Cod Bay, and very well protected from storms.

A couple of marinas and a town dock are available for tie ups, and there are marine repairs available onsite for those who need them.

Use NOAA Chart 13251.

Barnstable Harbor is approached from Cape Cod Bay about six miles west of Nobscusset Harbor and 20 miles almost due south of Provincetown Harbor. From Cape Cod, you will first pick up flashing red bell buoy "2," and then proceed south to green can "3." As you proceed farther into the harbor, keep in mind that the shoals here are in constant motion and shift from area to area quite dynamically. A good course of action is to call ahead to Barnstable Harbor to inquire about the conditions at each buoy along the entrance route to make sure they are currently reliable .

After green can "3," follow the series of unlit marks to flashing red "8" at Beach Point, and then catch flashing green "11" farther on to the west. make sure you do not continue farther south from flashing red "8", as this takes you behind Horseshoe Shoal into an are athat you can exit from.

Farther on, lighted marks continue to guide you into Barnstable Harbor where you will find seven-foot depths, a couple of marinas with repair facilities and also a town dock. Thetown is fairly remote, and there is not much in the way of provisioning opportunities, but the marinas are well equipped and well protected from Cape Cod Bay.

Local Notices to Mariners are now exclusively available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.