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by Stephen Prockl S. - Verified user on Oct 05, 2023
Our stay was ok but there was no one to communicate with regarding mooring assignment or depth info. We tried calling ahead of time and we were on the radio too but received no response. We grabbed a mooring and had a pleasant night and the depth was fine for us, so all was well.
by Paula M. - Verified user on Oct 02, 2023
It was fine. Onset is such a beautiful place! The price is a bit steep for a place with no showers available.
by Lauren c. - Verified user on Oct 02, 2023
The harbor masters office office, as always, was responsive and very helpful. The harbor, as always, is gorgeous!
by Jan T. - Verified user on Sep 27, 2023
Very efficient, friendly & helpful service from Harbormaster to confirm & find mooring!
Very protected area with smooth water in 4day Northeaster.
Convenient dinghy dock.
by Cynthia B. - Verified user on Sep 24, 2023
We were met by the staff as we arrived and he was very friendly and helpful. At this time of year, there was no staff available for the launch but we were greeted at the dinghy dock by the same person who made space for us to tie up. Our mooring was solid and they were nicely spaced even though there were several large boats.
by Roger K. - Verified user on Sep 06, 2023
Scenic, charming small village welcomes a few boaters on moorings and a few at the dock. Canal location of this gem is easily overlooked by boaters in transit. Care is needed when entering the narrow channel when strong canal currents are present. Laundry services and a few restaurants are available nearby and overnight parking is easy but daytime use will require feeding the meter. Enjoyed our stay for 3 nights while waiting out stormy weather. A big part of the town's appeal is its working class character, so if nothing but the Hamptons will do, you might want to look elsewhere....
by Gerald D. - Verified user on Sep 04, 2023
Stay was great. Launch was down but they let us stay at the dock for a while so we could go on shore and have dinner. We love onset!!!
by David S. - Verified user on Sep 04, 2023
Good price for New England mooring. Unfortunately the launch was unavailable, but a great little town
by Joe R. - Verified user on Sep 03, 2023
Always a great stay tough wind this trip really missed the launch service
by Robin B. - Verified user on Aug 28, 2023
No launch service, no facilities (shower,washrooms), dinghy dock so crowded husband hurt himself getting out of our dinghy. Increased prices but not services.
by Alex K. - Verified user on Aug 28, 2023
The Harbormaster was a great guy!
by James G. - Verified user on Aug 26, 2023
Friendly harbormaster
Sheltered spot
Mooring ball in good condition
Pennant easy to pick up.
by Jack M. - Verified user on Aug 22, 2023
Would have been 5 stars but launch broke down š
by David A. - Verified user on Aug 18, 2023
Two thumbs up ššā¦ā¦.
by David F. - Verified user on Aug 15, 2023
Super easy. The harbor master ( Campbell ?) was very helpful and friendly. Enjoyed the location a lot. Iāll be back and will tell others about it.
by Goltz W. - Verified user on Aug 14, 2023
Very nice mooring and quint town. Very helpful staff and all round good service.
by Hal B. - Verified user on Aug 09, 2023
Mooring was fine. Pendant easy to get with pickup bouy. Cute town. Ace hardware, good pizza at Marc Anthonys, 2 ice cream shops and a post office and liquor store. Couple other restaurants in town that we did not try, but look nice. Big popular beach also!
by Bob P. - Verified user on Aug 08, 2023
Excellent protected windy night tucked on a ball behind Wicket Island. Free launch service. Moorings get a bit tight for over 45 - 50ā except for 6 and 10. Just ask harbormaster on 9
by Leon E. - Verified user on Aug 08, 2023
Great crew. Very accommodating. Beautiful town.
by Grace A. - Verified user on Aug 07, 2023
Great place to stay! Protected, close to town. We will be back! Also we had asked to have a morning close to the island and they got back to us right away advising of the mooring and it was close to Island!
by David R. - Verified user on Aug 02, 2023
Peaceful and beautiful is all we can say. Thank you for a lovely two days.Rita and David on the cape Dory motorsailer BIA.
by Stephanie A. - Verified user on Jul 24, 2023
Great mooring and helpful people. Lovely location.
by David H. - Verified user on Jul 24, 2023
Great stay. Fun little harbor to explore and swim.
by Clarke P. - Verified user on Jul 22, 2023
They were short handed for launch drivers. Had to curtail activities ashore otherwise all was fine. Helpful in directions to mooring.
by Deirdre B. - Verified user on Jul 20, 2023
Fantastic location, responsive & helpful Harbormaster and the guys running the launch service were super friendly and informative. Was just swinging thru on our way to Maine. So glad we found this little gem, Onset Village!
by Helen w. - Verified user on Jul 19, 2023
Great location, sturdy mooring in well protected spacious mooring field, onset is lovely too with well stocked hardware store and restaurants, excellent breakfast at pier view restaurant
by Jeff f. - Verified user on Jul 17, 2023
Great town, friendly harbormaster
by Carol C. - Verified user on Jul 17, 2023
Very protected harbor with reasonable rates. Onset is a sweet town for a long walk and a selection of restaurants.Harbor staff were friendly and available. One star off for lack of shower facilities and tight space for tying up a dinghy.
by Alison O. - Verified user on Jul 10, 2023
Harbormaster staff was A+ helpful and understanding when we needed to extend for repairs. Onset is lovely.
by Robert G. - Verified user on Jul 07, 2023
Very welcoming and supportive arrival. We enjoyed the town, as well as Wickett Islandās beach, which is dog friendly.
by William B. - Verified user on Jul 03, 2023
Staff very welcoming and helpful. Mooring field extremely well protected. Local SH marina extends the welcome mat as well.
by Greg R. - Verified user on Jun 27, 2023
Beautiful quiet harbor and beach!
by Ed m. - Verified user on Jun 20, 2023
Very friendly, helpful staff. Able to answer all our questions and give directions we needed. Disappointed that the launch is only available till 530pm but all else went very well.
by Ruth s. - Verified user on Jun 20, 2023
Excellent staff. Very pleasant and helpful.
by Marc B. - Verified user on Jun 14, 2023
Beautiful, quiet mooring field. Free town launch service with friendly team. Nice ice cream spot across the street from the docks with a couple restaurants in walking distance. Recommend.
by Mary J. - Verified user on Jun 11, 2023
Super convenient. Love the way you pre assign moorings in Dockwa
by Cindy B. - Verified user on Jun 10, 2023
Friendly responsive staff, moorings were sturdy and in good shape, launch rides to town was a big bonus!Quaint harborā¦
by Henry R. - Verified user on Nov 23, 2022
Great seaside town. Shopping very convenient; great ambiance!
by Claire L. - Verified user on Oct 06, 2022
Carl was amazing. Super friendly and helpful. We enjoyed dingying over to Wicket island - right next to the mooring field. Playground for kids just up the road in town. Pizza shop was delicious also.
by Michael T. - Verified user on Oct 05, 2022
Karl, the harbourmaster and staff couldnāt have been better. Good stout mooring to hold us through several day of norāeaster and a launch service to get us to shore. Excellent.
by Meg O. - Verified user on Sep 19, 2022
Itās a sweet spot! Took up mooring and enjoyed the sights
by Rosemarie K. - Verified user on Sep 10, 2022
We couldn't have been happier with our stay on the town moorings. The harbor was very well protected. The mooring was easy to find and pick up. The harbormaster was friendly and accommodating when we needed to extend our stay. There is a launch service available. There are a couple of restaurants, a small convenience store,laundromat and a hardware store in town. I would highly recommend this hidden gem.
by Tony L. - Verified user on Aug 23, 2022
Friendly harbor master and great launch service.
by Liz C. - Verified user on Aug 07, 2022
We always enjoy the tranquility of Onset Harbor, however we were displeased with the fact that the town mooring launch ceased operation at 5:30p which ruled out a trip to town for dinner!
Marina Response:
Very sorry for the inconvenience, staffing struggles are very real....
by Rodney P. - Verified user on Jul 15, 2022
Great Location up the river. Mooring balls very protected from wind and wave action in all directions. Limited restroom facilities ashore. Laundry is several blocks from dockmaster office. No large grocer nearby, but a convenience store is nearby. And a hardware store with limited boating supplies.
by Gregory B. - Verified user on Jul 11, 2022
Had a great time in Onset . Harbor Master was very helpful , mooring in good shape with plenty of swing room. Directions to the assigned mooring were spot on. Would definitely visit again.
by Laurie B. - Verified user on Jul 06, 2022
A hidden gem! This is right in our back yard and after 10 years of boating, finally decided it was time to book a mooring. We could not have been more surprised. Starting with the harbormaster and including the launch drivers, all were there to answer questions and provide a lift into shore is you needed. There are several restaurants steps from the dock if you wanted some eats as well as a small convenience/liquor store carrying anything you might need. The views were great and the sunsets were even better, Cuttyhunk like. Nice harbor to dinghy and paddleboard around in. Looking forward to my next visit. Only regret was that we hadn't gone there sooner!
by Jeffrey C. - Verified user on Jul 05, 2022
The staff was awesome. Very friendly and helpful.
by Bill H. - Verified user on Jul 02, 2022
Harbormasterās office was very helpful
by jane O. - Verified user on Jun 30, 2022
No showers. Took ages to contact Harbour master it seems to be a one man show. Launch not available after 5 or before 9. Should have anchored beside it
by Christine c. - Verified user on Jun 26, 2022
Our first time experience was great. Harbor Master crew were awesome very informative and helpful!!!!
by Steve S. - Verified user on Sep 15, 2021
We had a good two night stay at the Onset town mooring field. It is a well-protected harbor and very nice town. The moorings are in good condition and after Labor Day there were plenty available. The town provides launch service with the mooring, but it is not reliable. If you plan to use it, we suggest that you have a backup. In our case, we had to go ashore on Sunday and the launch operator assured us that they would run the launch from 11 AM to 4 PM that day unless the wind was too high. We asked what too high winds meant and he said probably over 30 knots. Unfortunately, on Sunday they decided to cancel the launch due to what they claimed were high winds; we were recording gusts to around 20 knots at the top of our mast.
As a result of the change, we launched our dinghy and motored in to the dock getting a bit wet, but in no danger. The launch drivers are also marine patrol. We are sure they can handle 20 knot winds. Our reading was that they decided to cancel the launch for convenience possibly because we were the only boat in their mooring field.
by Joe L. - Verified user on Sep 04, 2021
Beautiful town/harbor
Great staff and surrounding restaurants.
We will be back...
by Tony M. - Verified user on Aug 30, 2021
A female assistant harbor master was rude when giving me information regarding the use of Dokwa. Than she assigned me to a mooring that had a bad and tangled line which was stuck on the mooring chain underneath and couldn't be picked up...apparently this is an issue that the harbor master was already aware of, as it was described to me by other nearby boaters who experienced the same thing.
Marina Response:
Hello, and we apologize for you issues with your stay. We like many are struggling with securing help and it has taken its toll with our operation. We are constantly maintains and repairing our gear that is often left damaged or wrapped by previous transient vessels. As you can see from our previous reviews the negative ones are few and far between and vessel that gave you that information was not accurate in their assumption of us knowing about a wrapped pennant which is common for moorings. We apologize and enjoy the rest of your boating season!!!
by John B. - Verified user on Aug 30, 2021
We would like to thank the Harbor Master for allowing us to stay on a mooring during the hurricane threat.
by Tom S. on Aug 19, 2021
The staff was excellent. The mooring in great shape with a stout pendant. Easy access and good directions to mooring field. Now the problem⦠I went to bring the dog ashore and then planned on coming ashore later with my wife for dinner. As I was tying up to the skiff dock. A large man aboard a boat started screaming incessantly at me that I didnāt belong there and to get out of there. I felt very intimidated and unsafe. Needless to say, the dog didnāt get to shore and a local restaurant lost business.
by Louis P. - Verified user on Aug 19, 2021
The online instructions were perfect. We did not go ashore, only moored and left the mooring in the am. Beautiful sunset. Peaceful and quiet
by John G. - Verified user on Aug 15, 2021
Great harbor and super professional.
by Ed M. - Verified user on Aug 11, 2021
we needed a mooring and signed up for one it was convenient to the town dock very easy will do it again
by Robert G. - Verified user on Aug 10, 2021
Very nice harbor. we'll be back.
by Steve G. - Verified user on Aug 09, 2021
Amazing harbor. Lots of beaches and Wicks Island to explore. We were on Moorning A7. We paid through Dockwa and marina called us after reading our message that we only planned a short stay for lunch and refunded the fee. They said no charge for moorings if just staying for a few hours. We had a great lunch and short stay in the harbor. We had mooring A7, right beside the island. Launch service is great and quick. Give marina a call in advance to check mooring availability and get mooring assignment. Makes arrival a lot easier, it is a busy busy harbor. Highly recommend !! Marina very responsive and accommodating.
by Barry B. - Verified user on Aug 01, 2021
I always enjoy my stay on the Onset town moorings, I have been there many times. My only complaint is a lack of enforcement of speed limits and wakes in the mooring area.
by Elizabeth G. - Verified user on Jul 27, 2021
The Harbormaster Crew did a great job helping us tie down. Easy access, with a nice floating dock. Thereās a beach right off the dockā¦great place for kids to swim! We loved hearing their laughter during the day! Thank you for a great stay!
by James C. - Verified user on Jul 27, 2021
Very accommodating great stay
by Grant J. - Verified user on Jul 26, 2021
Seamless experience with a helpful team at a location we really enjoyed. We will come back again.
by Lawrence T. - Verified user on Jul 25, 2021
Beautiful spot. Great staff.
by Debbie S. - Verified user on Jul 14, 2021
calm anchorage; helpful service
by Joffre M. - Verified user on Jul 11, 2021
Very picturesque spot
by Gary M. - Verified user on Jul 06, 2021
Mooring is sheltered and not far from the dock. On shore within 3 blocks are several restaurants, a hardware store and a small grocery with liquor. Pleasant community with many unique victorian style homes.
by Elizabeth H. - Verified user on Jun 25, 2021
Onset is a delightfully small town with friendly people, ice cream stores and Victorian homes. Quiet mooring surrounded by pretty beaches and shallow water. Canal cruise boat departure point. A very relaxing stay.
by Cara H. - Verified user on Jun 06, 2021
There is no designated slip-holder parking at this marina and no where to leave a trailer. This posed a huge inconvenience for me. There are limited public metered parking spaces on the pier and they were full at 10:30 a.m. I had to park two blocks away in a two hour spot and return every two hours to feed the meter. I like to bring friends on the boat, and they also had trouble parking. I have stayed in many other marinas, and have never had this problem.
Besides that, this is a pretty harbor. Good-sized slips, clean bathrooms, some nice eateries nearby and good beaches.
Marina Response:
Hello and we apologize that we didnāt meet your needs. This area is not a marina and the entire center of town where our pier is located is open to the general public. There is a marina and yacht club in the same harbor that may be better suited to your needs for future stays.
by Cheryl H. - Verified user on Sep 18, 2020
The approach is well-marked and mooring field is very protected. The current can be very strong at the mouth of the dredged inlet, so you have to be cautious. The harbormaster was not working the day we arrived and we were unable to contact anyone on the requested VHF channel upon our arrival. He told us the previous day what our mooring ball # would be. However, when we got there, someone else was on that ball and we were not quite sure what to do, so we just picked up different ball - hoping no one else was planning to come to that one. It got sorted out the next day, which was fine. The harbormaster was very helpful with the launch service and letting us know about the amenities at the dock (pump out boat, pump out station, water, fuel, restrooms, etc....). We stayed 2 nights and would definitely come back - a really pretty place.
by Christopher Z. - Verified user on Aug 22, 2020
Beautiful spot, very protected, minimal early AM traffic, slept like a rock overnight. Highly recommend!!!
by Ray R. - Verified user on Aug 17, 2020
Excellent - friendly launch service
by Phyllis S. - Verified user on Aug 11, 2020
Wonderful place to stay !
Always a pleasure š
by Rick C. - Verified user on Aug 09, 2020
Onset is the Jewel of Wareham. A hidden gem and a beautiful place. Well protected from the busy Hog Island channel. Moorings are my favorite but there are 5 slips with power, water, and pump-out on new docks. There is a market, a hardware store, Quahog Republic restaurant, and Marc Anthony's pizza all next to the pier. Public bathrooms, no showers, efficient launch service, dinghy dock. I love this place!
by Anonymous - Verified user on Jul 30, 2020
Great little town and pretty harbor. Super shallow in many areas but plenty of water where needed.
by Richard G. - Verified user on Jul 12, 2020
Beautiful harbor with great town owned slips and moorings. Water on the dock.
by Cecilia D. - Verified user on Sep 16, 2019
Always a pleasure to stay here
by Brian H. - Verified user on Aug 25, 2019
Great moorings on the back side of wickets island
by TOM D. - Verified user on Aug 09, 2019
Great place to stay, great beach. Good bus service for shopping
by Donald R. - Verified user on Aug 04, 2019
The best thing about staying in Onset is the launch service. The drivers are unfailingly polite, helpful and responsive. We made several trips in for laundry and grocery shopping and never had to wait long. Our hats off to the whole harbormaster team, especially Antonio who dealt with us on both days.
The moorings are a great deal. They are secure and stable in protected waters. The docks have gotten better this year, too. They are new and can handle about 6 boats up to 35 ft and one additional on up to 50 ft. They all have power and water. This is a huge improvement over the past.
There are several restaurants close to the pier and two ice cream places nearby. The laundromat is less than 4 blocks a way. Thereās a small market and a hardware store right in the village as well. Stop & Shop can be reached by a $10 Uber ride.
Onset makes a great stopping point for boats transiting the Cape Cod Canal,
by Russell S. - Verified user on Aug 02, 2019
Happy I liked it will be back
by Carol V. on Aug 02, 2019
Weāve spent lots of time here over the last 5 years. Onset Harbormaster has moorings close to lots of bars and restaurants, provides a launch service, dinghy dock and pumpout boat. You can actually swim off the back of your boat because the HM enforces a no wake zone in the harbor.
by Arthur A. - Verified user on Jul 18, 2019
Lovely setting amongst the beaches. Nice having the free launch service into town. Restrooms are shared by beachgoers, they could use some updates. Town has a few restaurants and a mini grocery/ liquor store.
Overall a nice stay.
by Adam K. - Verified user on Jul 14, 2019
New docks, good water and electric service, pump out right at the dock. Short walk to village and beach. No showers but i knew that. Occasional noise from party fishing boat and canal cruise boat. A nice layover for our run from Watch Hill to Gloucester.
by Michael R. - Verified user on Jul 12, 2019
Very nice stay. We used the mooring to watch the Onset fireworks. Everything worked out great.
by Dan S. - Verified user on Jun 26, 2019
Beautiful and well protected harbor . At the entrance to the cape cod canal so watch the tides carefully. Its a really wicked current. Great little town, with good restaurants and places to hang out. Welcoming !
by Jason R. - Verified user on Jun 23, 2019
The launch service runs until 10:30 pm in the weekend and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Picturesque harbor with lots of sand to enjoy
by robert b. - Verified user on Sep 30, 2018
No tender service after Sept 1st and our favorite clam shack was closed for the season as well. It was an easy in and out.
Marina Response:
Thank you for the review! We unfortunately had a couple mechanical issues beyond our control that led to some down time of the launch service. We do normally run until October 1... Hope to see you back!
by Allen H. - Verified user on Aug 22, 2018
The staff was awesome! They were extremely responsive with their shuttle service, always very courteous and quite helpful.
The town of Onset is great, with lots of little shops and restaurants.
Marina Response:
Thank you very much, glad you enjoyed yourself! Hope to see you next summer!!
by John D. - Verified user on Jul 08, 2018
Very accommodating harbormaster crew with a complimentary shuttle. Harbor very calm and enjoyable most anything you could need is within walking distance.
by John S. - Verified user on Aug 08, 2017
Great place and people.
by J. F. - Verified user on Aug 06, 2017
1. Reasonable mooring rate.
2. Free launch service
3. Friendly launch crew
4. Showers would be an appreciated amenity.
5. Onset Village is low key and not self-important.
by Glenn R. - Verified user on Jul 03, 2017
I had my boat on a mooring for two nights in Onset. They provided free launch service and were very friendly and helpful. We had a great weekend there, thank you.
by Beth L. - Verified user on Jun 29, 2017
The moorings are great and the harbor nicely protected. My only comment is that it is a bit confusing for a newcomer to the harbor figuring out where the moorings are. The moorings are obscured by Wickets Island when coming in the harbor and one sees many moorings at the private marinas to the east. It would be helpful if the info on the confirmation included an instruction to proceed past Wickets Island keeping it to starboard and enter the town mooring field on the northwest side of the island.