Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Description:

Waquoit Bay Reserve encompasses open waters, barrier beaches, marshlands and uplands on the south shore of Cape Cod. Within the reserve boundaries are Washburn Island and South Cape Beach State Park. Washburn Island is one of the last undeveloped coastal properties on Cape Cod. The L-shaped island, with a barrier beach, oak and pine forests and coastal salt ponds, is a quiet refuge for animals as well as human visitors. South Cape Beach State Park is a beautiful swimming beach that is noted for surf casting during the annual Bluefish and Stripped Bass migrations.

Fragile dune systems provide Waquoit Bay Reserve with some protection against the dynamic shore that changes with the season as well as in response to coastal storms and hurricanes. The beaches serve as nesting grounds for the federally threatened Piping Plover and foraging grounds for the endangered Roseate Tern.

Directions:

The reserve is located on the south shore of Cape Cod, in the towns of Falmouth and Mashpee.

Address:

Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management

P.O. Box 3092

Waquoit MA 02536

Phone:

508-457-0495

Email:

Jin.Wang@noaa.gov

Organization:

NOS - National Ocean Service