What to do and see in Gloucester, Massachusetts (MA): The Best Boat Tours & Water Sports

January 3, 2022 Veronika Gaddis

With its sandy North Shore beaches, rocky outcrops, green parks, hemlock woods and wild estuaries full of shorebirds, it is no wonder that Gloucester has attracted such a rich and diverse artists' community. Fitz Hugh Lane, Winslow Homer and John Sloan are just some of the artists who have taken inspiration from Gloucester's beautiful surrounds. Still boasting dozens of galleries and boutiques, as well as museums, theaters and an artists' colony, the city's art scene clearly continues to thrive.
Restaurants in Gloucester

1. Cape Ann Whale Watch

Excellent
86%
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5.0 based on 2,726 reviews

Cape Ann Whale Watch

Cape Ann Whale Watch in Gloucester, Massachusetts provides guaranteed whale sightings for every whale watching tour out to Stellwagen Bank, a national marine preserve about 12 miles off the coast of Gloucester deemed one of the "Top 5 Whale Watching Destinations in the World" by the World Wildlife Fund due to the wide variety of whale species whom migrate to the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts every year to feed on the abundant natural resources. We provide the best whale watching in New England as it's an awe-inspiring experience which every human being should have the opportunity to appreciate. We make it a very special event. For over 35 years, Cape Ann Whale Watch has been dazzling whale watching enthusiasts with sightseeing tours aboard the largest, fastest and most elegant whale watching vessel in Massachusetts, north of Boston, Massachusetts aptly named "The Hurricane II" due to its immense size and speed as it descends upon its destination. Cape Ann Whale Watch's patrons have the opportunity to spend a lot more time with the whales than with other whale watching companies in Gloucester MA since "The Hurricane II" gets to the whales' feeding grounds with much more expediency as well as traveling home faster, therefore more time is actually spent observing whales including but not limited to Humpback Whales, Minke Whales, Northern Right Whales, Pilot Whales, Northern Right Whales, Sperm Whales, Sei Whales, Blue Whales (The Largest Whales in the Seven Seas yet seldom seen around Gloucester MA), Fin Whales, Atlantic White Sided Dolphins, Harbor Porpoises and whole host of other fascinating marine creatures as we deliver the best whale watching excursion in Massachusetts. "The Hurricane II" boasts 115 ft length with over 400 ft of whale watching room from the railings of the upper and lower observation decks for optimum whale watching conditions. There is a heated, furnished indoor cabin with a full service galley serving hot meals, snacks and cold beverages as well as a fully stocked bar with local brews, popular beer, wine and mixed drinks. Cape Ann Whale Watch is truly the finest whale watching tour in the Boston MA area offering the highest level of quality, comfort and service at the cheapest, most affordable price suitable for any family entertainment budget whether on vacation or a day trip. We offer AAA discounts on the adult tickets. We also offer reduced rates for seniors, children and military families. We go where the whales go. Our vessels communicate with each other as to the location of whales so we will go anywhere to see them on the North Shore or South Shore of Massachusetts including off the coast of Boston, Massachusetts: Salem MA, Newburyport, Cape Cod, Hampton NH, Rowley, Rockport MA, Danvers, Peabody, Swampscott, Revere, Winthrop or wherever else the whales may roam.

2. 7 Seas Whale Watch

Excellent
93%
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5%
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5.0 based on 2,968 reviews

7 Seas Whale Watch

Trip Advisor's #1 of 26 Tours in Gloucester, 7 Seas Whale Watch has had the privilege of introducing thousands of passengers to the many species of whales and marine wildlife that inhabit the waters from Cape Ann and out to the Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary. Our trips run from mid-April to mid-October and are designed to educate, inspire and provide a deeper understanding and appreciation of our fragile marine environment. We are a family business – Three generations of career captains have worked from this very dock for more than 7 decades. We have a love and respect for the marine environment and a passion for providing the best possible customer experience for you and your family. We look forward to seeing you on the water.

3. Patriot Wave Charters

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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Patriot Wave Charters

Fishing Charter Service, I specialize in stripers, bluefish, cod and haddock. You have the chance to catch a trophy fish minutes from the dock in my 25 foot boat. It has an electric head and cabin for protection from the elements. I have all the USCG safety requirements and Furuno RADAR Chart plotter, Fish Finder. I supply the rod and reels, so give me a call for a fun day out on the water.

4. Schooner Thomas E. Lannon

Excellent
90%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
2%
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5.0 based on 334 reviews

Schooner Thomas E. Lannon

Picture yourself relaxing on the deck of this beautiful 65- foot schooner as she sails out of Gloucester harbor on a light southwesterly breeze. Join us for a two-hour sail and get a taste for what it was like to sail on a fishing schooner a hundred years ago. Help the crew raise the sails, or just sit back and take in the sights and sounds of Gloucester's coastline. Some of our weekend public sails feature music. We offer group rates. And we specialize in private charters for weddings, corporate entertainment, teambuilding, birthdays and more. The Lannon is a great place for a party!

5. Connemara Bay Fishing Charters

Excellent
98%
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5.0 based on 40 reviews

Connemara Bay Fishing Charters

Connemara Bay Charters offers lobsterbake cruises, saltwater fishing, lobstering, and scenic charters in and around the waters off Cape Ann, Massachusetts (including Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester and Ipswich). The Connemara Bay is a 37-foot traditional, “Down East”-style Maine-built boat with plenty of deck space to accommodate up to six passengers. All charters are captained by Kevin O’Maley, a native of Gloucester with a lifetime of experience fishing, lobstering and boating in North Shore waters.

6. Defiance Sail Charters

Excellent
99%
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5.0 based on 126 reviews

Defiance Sail Charters

Windfall, our elegant 49-foot sailing vessel, is available for day or overnight sailing charters.We dock for the summer season (June–October) in historic Gloucester, MA, in Smith's Cove, within walking distance to the famed artist colony of Rocky Neck. Summer charters are also available out of Boston or any accessible New England port. Or, use Windfall as your floating B&B (Boat & Breakfast dockside) while visiting the lovely Cape Ann region. In autumn we head south to go sailing in the beautiful, sunny Bahamas from late February through May. Meet us at our base of operation, Abaco, Bahamas. Or, charter Windfall for island hopping anywhere in the Bahamas. We practice all state and local covid-19 sanitation guidelines.

7. Down Under Diving Ventures

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5.0 based on 8 reviews

Down Under Diving Ventures

We provide scuba diving charters services to many off-shore locations from Marblehead Massachusetts to the Isle of Shoals in the Gulf of Maine. Most dive charters are 1/2 days mornings and afternoons. See our yearly schedule which is posted on our website and details and other additional information about our services.

8. Karen Lynn Charters

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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Karen Lynn Charters

The Karen Lynn fishing charters of Gloucester MA is New England's premier sport fishing charter boat, specializing in Bluefin Tuna, Monster Striped Bass, Cod and Haddock, and Sharks.

9. Kelly Ann Fishing Charters

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5.0 based on 8 reviews

Kelly Ann Fishing Charters

Located on the North Shore of Massachusetts,Gloucester is one of New England's top inshore and offshore fishing destinations. Whether fishing inshore for Striped Bass, Bluefish and Mackeral or offshore for Cod, Haddock, Sharks, Giant Bluefin and School Bluefin Tuna, aboard the Kelly Ann we have the experience and knowledge to put you 'on the fish'!

10. SWEET DREAM Sport Fishing Charters

Excellent
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5.0 based on 10 reviews

SWEET DREAM Sport Fishing Charters

Experience the top sport fishing charters from Gloucester MA. Join the F/V SWEET DREAM Sportfishing crew catching School Tuna, Giant Bluefin Tuna, Cod and Haddock, Halibut, Striped Bass, Bluefish and Sharks. We feature Giant Tuna Fishing Charters, fishing on the famous Stellwagen Bank, Tillies Bank, and Jeffries Ledge. The F/V SWEET DREAM is the finest big game fishing machine on the North Shore. She is a fast and comfortable 38' custom built Flowers downeast sport fishing yacht. Whether it be a full day offshore fishing adventure for tuna, sharks or cod and haddock or a family friendly inshore half day trip for striped bass and bluefish we are ready to make your fishing dreams come true.

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