- Shelter
- NW, N, NE, W, SW
- Seabed
- sand
- Anchoring
- Allowed
Open anchorage on the Vineyard Sound side of Naushon Island, in the Elizabeth Islands of Massachusetts.
Guide
Approach and anchoring
Anchor in 3 to 6 metres over sand. Holding is good, but the cove stays open to the south and east, so any swell running in Vineyard Sound is felt at anchor. Tucking in close under the lighthouse gives a slightly better lee in a typical south-westerly. There are no moorings and no facilities.
Ashore
The lighthouse tower dates from 1891 and the surrounding land is owned by the Naushon Trust, with the grounds closed to the public. Woods Hole lies about 4.7 nautical miles to the north-east, with marine services and provisioning ashore.
History
A private navigation light was first lit here in 1759 by a tavern keeper named Zaccheus Lumbert, making Tarpaulin Cove one of the earliest light stations on the New England coast after Boston, Newport and Brant Point.
Key facts
- Type
- Anchorage
- Coordinates
- 41.47647, -70.75542 (41°28.59'N 70°45.33'W)
- Country
- United States
- Shelter
- Sheltered from north-west, north, north-east, west, south-west winds
- Seabed
- sand
- Anchoring
- Allowed
- Boaters' rating
- 5.0/5
- Updated
- July 7, 2026
Getting there
Tarpaulin Cove lies at 41°28.59'N 70°45.33'W, that is 41.47647, -70.75542 in decimal degrees.
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Write a reviewFrequently asked questions
Which winds is Tarpaulin Cove sheltered from?
Tarpaulin Cove is sheltered from north-west, north, north-east, west, south-west winds.
Can you anchor at Tarpaulin Cove?
Yes, anchoring is allowed at Tarpaulin Cove.
How do boaters rate Tarpaulin Cove?
Tarpaulin Cove is rated 5.0/5 by boaters on BoatMap.
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