Provincetown, at 42 degrees 2 minutes North by 70 degrees 2.9 minutes West, is considered a destination harbor for mariners voyaging north by northeast from the east end of the Cape Cod Canal, east from Plymouth/Duxbury or southeast from Boston and points north. Mariners offshore use our federally designated Harbor of Refuge as a waypoint on trips Down East to Maine and the Canadian Maritimes or south by southeast to Bermuda. The harbor offers sheltered anchorages for vessels of all sizes, including ships. There is a U.S. Coast Guard station and pier in the west harbor, and at least two marine railways which can handle 60' vessels. See Provincetown Harbor photos...

Pleasure boaters who choose Provincetown as a destination in warm weather have a multitude of shore side services available to them:

1) Sheltered anchorages behind the break wall at the end of MacMillian Pier, the easternmost pier in the harbor. Call the Provincetown Harbor Master on VHF Channel 16 or 508-487-7030 for instructions. The Town of Provincetown is reconstructing and expanding its municipal pier, MacMillian Pier, and currently provides a courtesy wheelchair accessible float for 15-minute tie-ups and a dingy dock for anchored vessels. Instructions on pump-out services and oil disposal are available from the Harbormaster.

2) Provincetown Marina on the adjacent Fisherman's Pier, with slips and moorings with launch service in season. Reservations are strongly advised at all times. Call 508-487-0571. A gas dock operates on the west side of this pier.

3) Small and large boat repair services are available from Flyer's Boatyard, adjacent to the Coast Guard Pier in the west harbor (West End of town). This yard has two marine railways, in addition to an outboard repair shop, which also sells boat parts and supplies. This yard also maintains a seasonal and daily mooring rental field with launch service. 800-750-0898 or 508-487-0898.

4) In addition to Flyer's Boat Yard, marine supplies, boat parts and charts are available from Land's End Marine Supply, a Truevalue Hardware store at 337 Commercial St (508-487-0784) and Marine Specialties, which also sells military surplus, at 235 Commercial St. (508-487-1730).

5) There are dozens of restaurants and coffee shops within walking distance of both piers downtown, several of which offer breakfast. Check the iamprovincetown DIRECTORY and map for information. Convenience stores are located in the intersection of Standish and Bradford Streets in the center of town.

In the warm weather months, the prevailing afternoon breeze is from the southwest. Especially in hot weather, these winds can really pipe up and produce short choppy seas in the 30-mile fetch from Sandwich to Provincetown. It's always advisable to plan return trips to the Canal for the early morning to avoid adverse conditions.

Note: There are two major celebrations in the harbor during the summer. The Provincetown Portuguese Festival, last weekend in June, culminates in the Blessing of the Fleet from MacMillian Pier on Sunday. This weekend includes several activities onshore, including bazaars, clam chowder competitions and children's events.

Secondly, The Great Provincetown Schooner Regatta Race, scheduled for second weekend in September. Schooners of all sizes and vintages will compete around a triangular course in Cape Cod Bay. This will be a colorful and exciting event both offshore and onshore. Visit ProvincetownSchoonerRace.com for details, especially if your vessel carries a foremast and you would like to participate.

In addition to these two celebrations, a 20-minute fireworks display is mounted by the Town of Provincetown in the harbor July 4th weekend. While thousands of spectators crowd the beach and piers, the view from your vessel makes for a memorial evening... see Provincetown Fireworks photos.