Lighthouses, Boats & ATONs
Cuttyhunk to RIYCCruising to Cuttyhunk: Fireworks, Fresh Oysters, and the Sights Along the Way
Every August, we—and plenty of fellow members from local yacht clubs—make our annual pilgrimage to Cuttyhunk for the fireworks.
Cuttyhunk is part of the Elizabeth Islands chain, just off the Massachusetts coast. It’s a wonderfully distinctive place where residents get around on foot or by golf cart, the pace is relaxed, and the harbor is filled with visiting boats. It’s also a dry island.
Yes, you read that correctly: no booze.
For sailors—and boaters—this is a particularly baffling detail. We’re known to enjoy our rum, vodka, bourbon, beer, wine, and just about anything else that pairs well with a day on the water. Fortunately, most—if not all—of the visiting boats arrive well provisioned with their own onboard supply of spirits and other adult beverages. So while the island may be dry, the fleet is certainly prepared.
Still, Cuttyhunk’s dry-island tradition is part of what makes the visit so memorable. It gives everyone something to talk about while enjoying the harbor, the company, and the fireworks.
The journey is part of the adventure
This year, we were lucky enough to cruise aboard Ceili, thanks to Mark and Ann Marie, who generously welcomed us aboard for the weekend. Many thanks to both of them for making the trip so enjoyable.
One of my favorite parts of the journey was simply looking around. I didn’t spend the trip surfing the web or listening to music. Instead, I kept my eyes on the horizon, watching for interesting sights along the way.
There’s always plenty to see from the deck: passing boats, working vessels, changing shorelines, beaches, dunes, harbor traffic, and the familiar markers that help guide us safely through the water.
For those who don’t spend much time around maritime navigation, AToNs is a U.S. Coast Guard acronym for aids to navigation systems. These include the buoys, beacons, and other markers that help mariners identify channels, hazards, and safe routes. They may not always seem dramatic, but they’re an important—and often beautiful—part of the coastal landscape.
Cuttyhunk’s harbor offers plenty to watch, from AToNs and working boats to the shoreline beyond.
The Charlotte Anne as she approaches the narrow entrance to Cuttyhunk Harbor.
A raw bar on the water
Another highlight of the weekend is the Raw Bar Boat. Manned by a hardworking crew of students, the boat is a hive of activity as they shuck fresh oysters and littlenecks to order—right before your eyes.
There’s something especially satisfying about enjoying local seafood this way: sitting near the water, watching the boats come and go, and being handed a plate of freshly shucked shellfish. It’s casual, delicious, and perfectly suited to a summer weekend in the harbor.
A different kind of island getaway
Cuttyhunk may be small, but it offers an impressive variety of sights. The trip brings together everything we love about boating: open water, interesting vessels, navigational markers, shoreline scenery, good company, and the anticipation of a celebration at the end of the day.
And then, of course, there are the fireworks.
As we cruised aboard Ceili, I tried to capture the many details that make the journey worthwhile—not just the destination, but everything we passed along the way. From the wide-open horizon to the busy harbor and the colorful working boats, every turn offered something new to notice.
Cuttyhunk remains one of those special summer destinations that keeps us coming back year after year. Even without a cocktail in hand on shore, there’s no shortage of good cheer, great food, and unforgettable views—especially when the boats arrive fully stocked and ready for the weekend.
