Boston Harbor Islands: Spectacle Island

42 Reviews
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Spectacle Island
Boston, MA 02129
42° 19' 18.06'', -70° 59' 18.42''
6178281644
$12/night
www.bostonharborislands.org
Old Harbor
Boston Harbor Islands: Spectacle Island
Boston Harbor Islands: Spectacle Island
Boston Harbor Islands: Spectacle Island
Boston Harbor Islands: Spectacle Island
Boston Harbor Islands: Spectacle Island
Boston Harbor Islands: Spectacle Island

Awards


Boaters Choice 2019Boaters Choice 2020Boaters Choice 2021Boaters Choice Elite Fleet 2022Boaters Choice 2023

About


Spectacle Island features both moorings and a marina. The Spectacle Island Marina is a first-come, first-serve, floating dock system providing access to the island and its amenities. Moorings are located on the north side of the main pier and can be reserved on the Dockwa app or on Dockwa.com.

Part of the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park, Spectacle Island spans 105 acres and provides multiple attractions. Along with five miles of walking trails, the island features a visitor center, swimming beach, and breathtaking, 360 degree views of Boston and the surrounding islands.

The park is open from dawn until dusk, with facilities open during ferry operating hours. Reservations are available for both daytime and overnight use. Please note that pets are not permitted in the park. To find more information about park regulations and available activities on the island, please visit bostonharborislands.org.

Berth Capacity


Moorings:12
Linear Docks:550 Feet

Approach


The entrance to the marina is on the south side of the main pier. Please be careful of ferries leaving and entering the marina basin. Ferries may be restricted in their ability to maneuver so plan accordingly. We ask that vessels with a wide beam do not berth directly across from the ferry float (large steel float) in order to give the ferries swing room on their approach. When tying up in the marina, pull as far in as possible to maximize space on our floats – please don't tie up in the middle of an empty float. The Drop off/pick up area is located at the end of the finger closest to the ferry float and should be used only when a ferry is not trying to enter or leave the marina please. Additional caution is required when approaching the float that is located closest to the beach. The inside between the shore and float is VERY tidal. Please be aware of your draft and tide height when berthing on this float. The mooring field is located on the northern side of the main pier. They can be reserved by using the dockwa.com application on your smartphone or tablet. When using you dinghy or tender please access the island on the mooring field side of the main pier and stay out of the marked swim area. The park is open from dawn till dusk and no dogs and alcohol is not permitted on Island. Again, please be careful when entering and leaving the marina as visibility is bad at the corner of the pier. Stay along the shoreline if possible. Thank you and enjoy Spectacle Island!
Minimum Approach Depth:19.0 Feet
Minimum Channel Depth:12.0 Feet
Mean Low Water Dock Depth:9.0 Feet

Services & Amenities

Last Updated: Jan 16, 2024

Dockage:Yes
Moorings:Yes
Transient Storage:Yes
Long Term Storage:Yes
Beach:Within 5 Miles
Fixed Docks:Yes
Floating Docks:Yes
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Verified

nice stay. would stay again

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Verified

Very peaceful and scenic. However frequent harbor ferries make it very rolly (sp). Also pennants are very short so be prepared to add a bridle. My assigned mooring was way to close to shore for my sailboat’s draft but fortunately there were open moorings further out.

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Verified

Had to ask a boater to move off my resreved mooring ball. Wasnt an issue but a minor inconvienence.. Otherwise an amazing day in the harbor !!

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Verified

Booking worked well. Placed request at night, received answer at 8 am.

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Verified

Another great day at Spectacle Island. The moorings are the best convenience. Great job, quick response guys.

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Verified

Another boat had taken our reserved mooring but they moved quickly and without fuss when we arrived. I saw the same thing happening to other moorings all through the day. So, the reservation works fine, just don't only look for empty moorings when you arrive.

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Verified

We ended up getting a spot on the dock, perfect weather there was entertainment that day. Always a perfect day at Spectacular Island! (Not a typo)

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Verified

Super protected and nice spot to enjoy Boston Harbor

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Verified

Was helped out by a friendly DCR officer.

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Verified

Great day at the island.

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Verified

Was able to pull into the dock, hike the island and then moved over to the mooring and had a nice lunch while swimming. A total gem!!

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Verified

Moored. Great view of the city. Ground tackle was in great shape. Didn't go ashore, but Island looked like it would be a great stroll. However...VERY rolly during the day due to the ferries. Quieted down after 10 p.m. Also, if the departure from Logan, it will be nosiey from 05:30 until late. A local told us the mooring field at Peddocks is much beter.

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Verified

Easy mooring. Beautiful location

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Verified

Paid for the full day and the computer gave me a receipt saying check in was 12pm and checkout was 11am. Someone took my moring ball and I didn't have a receipt to show it was mine. Made a 2nd reservation and the same thing happened. Paid twice and got nothing. Please ask IT to look into the glitch.

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Verified

Easy access to and from the field

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Verified

Clean, Quite, Safe stay in an incredible location

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Verified

Easy to reserve, great spot, some motion due to traffic, but not bad. Would to it again. Great sunset\rise and view of Boston skyline.

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Location is great. Views of Boston skyline wonderful specially at the island height. Music band playing was awesome. Beach is great waves don't break on it so dinghy landings/launch are fairly easy. Personnel in the island very good at responding they may not answer the phone but they responded to my voice mail on dockwa. However giving it 4 stars because this is a pretty rolly mooring even with winds from the east. And it is not the boats driving by as some have said. at sunset with no traffic we got rolled pretty good couple of times. Would recommend it just be aware it will not be glassy out there.

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Verified

We enjoyed the day at Spectacle. Our mooring was open when we arrived at 1pm. We stayed all day and enjoyed a free concert. It was a little bumpy with the boats speeding by. I was also able to get good tv reception.

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Verified

Plenty of room between moorings and the water is crystal clear. The scenery is beautiful.

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Verified

Beautiful location and I appreciate the DCR being present to ensure we have access to our mooring (squatters).

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Verified

Wonderful we were met by guard and loved our mooring!

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Verified

The staff was welcoming and professional. Beautiful island for a hike or swim. Can’t wait to go back.

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Verified

It’s fine for a night and I do appreciate these moorings. People just need to know it is very bouncy and there are no facilities available. Price should be back to $20 as nothin other than the mooring is provided.

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Verified

The island is nice. It’s a quick boat ride over so it makes for a day/night away. Boat traffic does cause some rather choppy seas when on the boat. But it eventually dies down. Lots of boats just tie up though. Late morning through afternoon. Then leave later at night. But we make a reservation to ensure we get a mooring for the day/night. Easy to use Dockwa

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Verified

Loved it! Awesome museum with amazing history of the island.

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Verified

Was a nice calm day, all sun few break with clouds with only a few rouge waves :-) grabbing the ball was straight forward and didn't have to kick anyone off !!! nice spot over there!!

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Verified

What's not to love about the Boston Harbor Islands? Well, a few too many boaters ignore the no- wake markers and go flying past the mooring field. If love to see some enforcement. Otherwise, the moorings are great, the island is fun, and the view of the city at sunset is unbeatable!

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Verified

Someone was on ball #10 when we got there, and they were reluctant to leave. He got quite loud with us telling us that there were some plenty of empty moorings and to go pick one up!! We left shortly after that because it was to rough with all Of the AquaPalooza traffic, so we did not muse the mooring ball. Bad day all around. John Hill

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Verified

Loved it, though folks should know boater traffic makes this a bumpy anchorage. The island is wonderful to walk around. We will be back.

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Verified

Breezy day, so tucked on for a quiet lunch before continuing on our way.

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Verified

First time getting a mooring in the harbor. Fun day at spectacle, great swim too! Nice gentlemen from DCR motored up to check on us ( and the other boats in the field). Booking again for this weekend! Love Dockwa app too!

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Verified

Always a great day at spectacle island! The staff that patrol the islands are top notch and take care of all your needs

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Excellent moorings, well protected, Great DCR staff checking things out, easy paddle or swim to shore

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Verified

Had a great day Thanks Marc

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Verified

I have made three reservations twice the mooring was taken tried to call on radio no answer so either I confront another boater or leave dissatisfied with family day ruined, I cancelled the third ( fool me twice not risking third)

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Verified

The island is a treasure! We enjoyed the Trillium’s beer garden Sat afternoon, then had the whole place to ourselves for the evening. The trails are superb, as are the views of Boston. Very calm seas-even in the aftermath of hurricane Dorian. We will return from our slip in Boston!

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Verified

good mooring and nice people running the island.

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Verified

Very rocky due to wakes created by high speed ferry. We have a 39’ sailboat and our boat got tossed around similar to being out in a small craft advisory. Couldn’t swim off the boat due to the chop. Dinghied to the beach, but our dinghy was getting trashed so back to our sailboat we went. Quieted down after 8pm.

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Verified

The booking was good. You were very responsive to adjust the rate down to just a day rate. However, I couldn't hail anyone at Spectacle Island on Channel 69 and a DCR ranger said to just take any open mooring if we had a reservation.

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Verified

Great spot to stop and take a quick dip! Friendly staff.

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Verified

Beautiful spot to set up for the day. Moorings are easy to use and the staff at the location were great. Look forward to them putting more moorings in soon. They fill up quickly.

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