Waquoit Bay

National Estuarine Research Reserve

The reserve is located on the south shore of Cape Cod, Massachusetts and contains open waters, salt and fresh marshes, barrier beaches, sand dunes, rivers, mixed pine and oak forests, and sandplain grasslands. Waquoit Bay, approximately 825 acres, is the dominant water feature and once supported one of the most diverse estuarine fish communities in the state. Waquoit Bay is still important to commercial and recreational shellfish and finfish fisheries.

The Reserve’s Visitor Center is open seven days a week from 10:00AM – 4:00PM.

Help us plan for the future to protect at-risk cultural treasures!

Join DCR in planning for smart, creative ways to protect our at-risk cultural treasures for the future!

Cultural properties like historic buildings and landscapes, traditional cultural places, and archaeological sites are central to the experience of many DCR parks. But many of these places are at risk from the effects of climate change like rising temperatures, coastal flooding, severe weather, and changes in precipitation.

How can we prepare for climate change while protecting the unique features of DCR’s special places that people love? 

The first step is understanding what those places mean to you.

Please complete this survey and tell us what the Boat House and Washburn Island at the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (WBNERR) in Falmouth, MA mean to you. Your anonymous responses will help DCR develop adaption strategies and plan for the future.

Click here to complete the survey!

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