Spectacle Island
Boston, MA 02129
Dock
Not Offered
Mooring
$27
Day Trip
$12
Book faster with the free Dockwa app
42 Reviews
by Robert C. - Verified user on Aug 19, 2023
nice stay. would stay again
by David W. - Verified user on Aug 19, 2023
Very peaceful and scenic. However frequent harbor ferries make it very rolly (sp). Also pennants are very short so be prepared to add a bridle. My assigned mooring was way to close to shore for my sailboat’s draft but fortunately there were open moorings further out.
by Robert C. - Verified user on Aug 06, 2023
Had to ask a boater to move off my resreved mooring ball. Wasnt an issue but a minor inconvienence.. Otherwise an amazing day in the harbor !!
by Alexander S. - Verified user on Aug 03, 2023
Booking worked well. Placed request at night, received answer at 8 am.
by James M. - Verified user on Jul 24, 2023
Another great day at Spectacle Island. The moorings are the best convenience. Great job, quick response guys.
by Petter R. - Verified user on Jul 24, 2023
Another boat had taken our reserved mooring but they moved quickly and without fuss when we arrived. I saw the same thing happening to other moorings all through the day. So, the reservation works fine, just don't only look for empty moorings when you arrive.
by Lilette H. - Verified user on Jul 23, 2023
We ended up getting a spot on the dock, perfect weather there was entertainment that day. Always a perfect day at Spectacular Island! (Not a typo)
by Pearse M. - Verified user on Jul 22, 2023
Super protected and nice spot to enjoy Boston Harbor
by Steven M. - Verified user on Jul 10, 2023
Was helped out by a friendly DCR officer.
by Susan H. - Verified user on Jul 09, 2023
Great day at the island.
by Mike W. - Verified user on Jul 07, 2023
Was able to pull into the dock, hike the island and then moved over to the mooring and had a nice lunch while swimming. A total gem!!
by Ray S. - Verified user on Jun 30, 2023
Moored. Great view of the city. Ground tackle was in great shape. Didn't go ashore, but Island looked like it would be a great stroll.
However...VERY rolly during the day due to the ferries. Quieted down after 10 p.m. Also, if the departure from Logan, it will be nosiey from 05:30 until late. A local told us the mooring field at Peddocks is much beter.
by matthew - Verified user on Jun 26, 2023
Easy mooring. Beautiful location
by Michael M. - Verified user on Jun 26, 2023
Paid for the full day and the computer gave me a receipt saying check in was 12pm and checkout was 11am. Someone took my moring ball and I didn't have a receipt to show it was mine. Made a 2nd reservation and the same thing happened. Paid twice and got nothing. Please ask IT to look into the glitch.
by Stephen S. - Verified user on Jun 15, 2023
Easy access to and from the field
by DAVID E. - Verified user on Sep 06, 2022
Clean, Quite, Safe stay in an incredible location
by Stanley S. - Verified user on Aug 29, 2022
Easy to reserve, great spot, some motion due to traffic, but not bad. Would to it again. Great sunset\rise and view of Boston skyline.
by Ed A. on Aug 28, 2022
Location is great. Views of Boston skyline wonderful specially at the island height. Music band playing was awesome. Beach is great waves don't break on it so dinghy landings/launch are fairly easy. Personnel in the island very good at responding they may not answer the phone but they responded to my voice mail on dockwa.
However giving it 4 stars because this is a pretty rolly mooring even with winds from the east. And it is not the boats driving by as some have said. at sunset with no traffic we got rolled pretty good couple of times.
Would recommend it just be aware it will not be glassy out there.
by Ronald R. - Verified user on Aug 22, 2022
We enjoyed the day at Spectacle. Our mooring was open when we arrived at 1pm. We stayed all day and enjoyed a free concert. It was a little bumpy with the boats speeding by. I was also able to get good tv reception.
by Girard G. - Verified user on Jul 31, 2022
Plenty of room between moorings and the water is crystal clear. The scenery is beautiful.
by Sharon H. - Verified user on Jul 18, 2022
Beautiful location and I appreciate the DCR being present to ensure we have access to our mooring (squatters).
by Patricia s. - Verified user on Jul 17, 2022
Wonderful we were met by guard and loved our mooring!
by Mervin K. - Verified user on Jul 15, 2022
The staff was welcoming and professional. Beautiful island for a hike or swim. Can’t wait to go back.
by Paula M. - Verified user on Jul 10, 2022
It’s fine for a night and I do appreciate these moorings. People just need to know it is very bouncy and there are no facilities available. Price should be back to $20 as nothin other than the mooring is provided.
by Madeline R. - Verified user on Jul 02, 2022
The island is nice. It’s a quick boat ride over so it makes for a day/night away. Boat traffic does cause some rather choppy seas when on the boat. But it eventually dies down. Lots of boats just tie up though. Late morning through afternoon. Then leave later at night.
But we make a reservation to ensure we get a mooring for the day/night. Easy to use Dockwa
by Gabe F. - Verified user on Jun 30, 2022
Loved it!
Awesome museum with amazing history of the island.
by Robert C. - Verified user on Jun 07, 2022
Was a nice calm day, all sun few break with clouds with only a few rouge waves :-) grabbing the ball was straight forward and didn't have to kick anyone off !!! nice spot over there!!
by laurie l. - Verified user on Sep 07, 2021
What's not to love about the Boston Harbor Islands? Well, a few too many boaters ignore the no- wake markers and go flying past the mooring field. If love to see some enforcement. Otherwise, the moorings are great, the island is fun, and the view of the city at sunset is unbeatable!
by John H. - Verified user on Jul 24, 2021
Someone was on ball #10 when we got there, and they were reluctant to leave. He got quite loud with us telling us that there were some plenty of empty moorings and to go pick one up!!
We left shortly after that because it was to rough with all
Of the AquaPalooza traffic, so we did not muse the mooring ball. Bad day all around. John Hill
by Douglas T. - Verified user on Jul 06, 2021
Loved it, though folks should know boater traffic makes this a bumpy anchorage. The island is wonderful to walk around. We will be back.
by Al P. - Verified user on Sep 21, 2020
Breezy day, so tucked on for a quiet lunch before continuing on our way.
by Justin F. - Verified user on Sep 18, 2020
First time getting a mooring in the harbor. Fun day at spectacle, great swim too! Nice gentlemen from DCR motored up to check on us ( and the other boats in the field). Booking again for this weekend! Love Dockwa app too!
by Lawrence F. - Verified user on Sep 05, 2020
Always a great day at spectacle island! The staff that patrol the islands are top notch and take care of all your needs
by Ed B. on Aug 07, 2020
Excellent moorings, well protected, Great DCR staff checking things out, easy paddle or swim to shore
by Marc A. - Verified user on Aug 02, 2020
Had a great day
Thanks
Marc
by Peter B. - Verified user on Jul 20, 2020
I have made three reservations twice the mooring was taken tried to call on radio no answer so either I confront another boater or leave dissatisfied with family day ruined, I cancelled the third ( fool me twice not risking third)
by Bud R. - Verified user on Sep 08, 2019
The island is a treasure! We enjoyed the Trillium’s beer garden Sat afternoon, then had the whole place to ourselves for the evening. The trails are superb, as are the views of Boston. Very calm seas-even in the aftermath of hurricane Dorian. We will return from our slip in Boston!
by James F. - Verified user on Aug 20, 2019
good mooring and nice people running the island.
by Carol V. - Verified user on Aug 02, 2019
Very rocky due to wakes created by high speed ferry. We have a 39’ sailboat and our boat got tossed around similar to being out in a small craft advisory. Couldn’t swim off the boat due to the chop. Dinghied to the beach, but our dinghy was getting trashed so back to our sailboat we went. Quieted down after 8pm.
by James W. - Verified user on Jul 22, 2019
The booking was good. You were very responsive to adjust the rate down to just a day rate. However, I couldn't hail anyone at Spectacle Island on Channel 69 and a DCR ranger said to just take any open mooring if we had a reservation.
by Bryan L. - Verified user on Jul 15, 2019
Great spot to stop and take a quick dip! Friendly staff.
by Joshua G. - Verified user on Jul 15, 2019
Beautiful spot to set up for the day. Moorings are easy to use and the staff at the location were great. Look forward to them putting more moorings in soon. They fill up quickly.
About Boston Harbor Islands: Spectacle Island
Spectacle Island features both moorings and a marina. The Spectacle Island Marina is a first-come, first-serve, floating dock system providing access to the island and its amenities. Moorings are located on the north side of the main pier and can be reserved on the Dockwa app or on Dockwa.com.
Part of the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park, Spectacle Island spans 105 acres and provides multiple attractions. Along with five miles of walking trails, the island features a visitor center, swimming beach, and breathtaking, 360 degree views of Boston and the surrounding islands.
The park is open from dawn until dusk, with facilities open during ferry operating hours. Reservations are available for both daytime and overnight use. Please note that pets are not permitted in the park. To find more information about park regulations and available activities on the island, please visit bostonharborislands.org.
Booking Info
For boaters not spending the night on the moorings we ask that the mooring is vacated at sunset.
Amenities
Info
Photos
