Nauset Marsh Safety Infomation

The Nauset Marsh at Hemenway Landing is a breathtaking scenic marine environment to explore. However, because the marsh eventually leads into the Atlantic Ocean the channels are subject to tidal currents which can make it more difficult to paddle. We strongly encourage you to plan your paddle by picking the appropriate route for the marsh (below) and by packing well for the adventure.

Please make sure to read the "safety information" tab as well.

Park FREE on Hemenway Road, as opposed to the town owned parking lot ($50 ticket).

Beginner Routes - GREEN

The Salt Pond Bay & Salt Pond Experience (SOLID GREEN)

Good for 2 hours before or after high tide

Head left from Hemenway Landing/Road

Deeper water will generally be along the shoreline to your left

A good, deep channel enters Salt Pond*

Attractions

(Bay): Egrets, Cormorants, Red-Tail Hawks

(Pond): Flounder and Blue Crabs

*Salt Pond has several places to pull ashore and walk around or even visit the Cape Cod National Seashore Visitor Center

The Nauset Bay Experience (DASHED GREEN)

Good for 1 hours before or after high tide

A sandbar (yellow) partially blocks the entrance into Nauset Bay:

follow it around to the right to return to deeper water.

Attractions

(Nauset Bay): Arctic Terns, Lesser Terns, and Blue Heron

ADVANCED-BEGINNER Route - YELLOW

The Marsh Experience (SOLID YELLOW)

Good anytime

Head left from Hemenway Landing/Road

At the end of the boat moorings, proceed into the channel entering from the right; following for a few hundred yards. When you spot the Oyster Farms (black floats) marked with light green buoys and white buoys take an immediate right paddling pass them on your left (stay right out of the farms).

At the end of the Commercial Oyster Farms take another right entering into another main channel.

As you make your way back to the shore, your final approach will be a right back to the landing.

Attractions:

(Nauset Marsh) Seals, Egrets, Cormorants, Blue Heron, Flounder, Striped Bass and Oyster Farms

INTERMEDIATE Route - ORANGE)

The Spit Experience (SOLID and DASHED ORANGE)

Depart Landing 1-3 hours after low tide

Depart Spit no later than 5 hrs after low tide

At the end of the Commercial Oyster Farms continue straight out to the spit doing your best to stay in the deeper parts of the channel. This offers a great opportunity to practice carving.

Upon departing the spit follow much of the same route back to the Oyster Farms. Pass the farms on your right as your continue left a few hundred yards down the channel back to shore.

Your final approach will be a right back to the landing.

Attractions:

(Nauset Marsh) Seals, Egrets, Cormorants, Blue Heron, Flounder, Striped Bass and Oyster Farms
(The Spit) Shorebirds and Seals

EXPERIENCED Routes - red/pink

Passing the Inlet Experience (DASHED RED)

Depart Landing 1 hr either side of high tide

Depart Spit no later than 3 hrs after high tide

From the entrance to Nauset Bay proceed into the channel on your right through one of two openings.

Excersie extreme caution while paddling pass the inlet as tidal currents are especially strong where the marsh opens into the ocean.

For safety, make sure to land on the spit only after crossing the inlet

Upon departing the spit go right back the way you came until you reach The Heart of the Marsh cut.

The Heart of the Marsh (DASHED PINK)

Cut through to rejoin orange route back.

Pass the farms on your right as your continue left a few hundred yards down the channel back to shore. Your final approach will be a right back to the landing.