Boating, Fishing, and Travel Information for Cape Cod Canal, Buzzards Bay, MA

Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine supplies, and a paved ramp are available at the boat basin just inside the Cape Cod Bay (East End) entrance to the canal. Temporary ,  and anchorage are also available at the basin.

Cape Cod Canal is a deep-draft sea-level waterway connecting Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay. The waterway is 15 miles long from Cleveland East Ledge Light to deep water in Cape Cod Bay. The canal shortens the distance between points north and south of Cape Cod by 50 to 150 miles and provides an inside passage to avoid Nantucket Shoals. The canal is maintained by the Federal Government as a free waterway.
Cleveland East Ledge Light (41°37’51″N., 70°41’39″W.), 74 feet above the water, is shown from a white cylindrical tower and dwelling on a red caisson on the east side of the entrance channel approaching Cape Cod Canal from Buzzards Bay. A racon and sound signal are at the light station. The railroad bridge over the canal at the village of Buzzards Bay, and the highway bridge at Bourne are also prominent.

The approach channels from both the west and the east are marked with lighted ranges and other navigational aids. The canal itself is lighted at night on both banks by mercury vapor lights, generally 500 feet apart.