Scituate is known for its lovely water views, so while you’re visiting take advantage of the opportunity to get out on the water and you’ll be treated to the equally picturesque panorama of Scituate Harbor and the cliffs. Whether you’re an angler looking to do some sport fishing, a sightseer hoping to spot a whale, or a tourist in search of the perfect sunset photo, these local charter businesses check all the boxes. This area offers some of the best fishing and whale watching around due to its proximity to Stellwagen Bank, a national marine sanctuary located between Cape Ann and Cape Cod that is ideal for both pursuits. Take your pick of one of these local outfits that operate out of Scituate Harbor and get out on the water!
MBG Fishing Charters
80 Old Dock St. / 781-545-6516 / massbayguides.com
Headed up by Captain Greg Sears, Mass Bay Guides (MBG) is a family-run company still going strong after more than 2 decades on the water. Operating a small fleet of traditional New England style vessels, the captains and mates are all USCG licensed, and all are full-time fishermen. Their motto: “We Love to Fish” is no joke; they offer charter fishing trips 7 days a week to Stellwagen Bank and the sandy Shoals of Cape Cod for up to 6 guests. Depending on the time of year, you might catch striped bass, tuna, cod, or even shark. All excursions include high-quality bait and tackle and professional fishing equipment. MBG offers trips ranging from a 3-hour kids’ adventure up to a 10+ hour offshore experience.
Elizabeth Marie Sport Fishing
25 Mill Wharf Plaza /781-864-7154 / emfishing.com
If you’re looking for a smaller outfit, Elizabeth Marie Sport Fishing might fit the bill. Captain Rob Green fishes Boston Harbor and along the shores of Plymouth, MA, in addition to Stellwagen Bank and Cape Cod Bay. Their most popular charters are full day combo trips where you can fish for multiple species at no additional cost. Of course, if you want to stick with one type of fish, that’s fine too! Flexibility is an added benefit of choosing this group. You can tailor the hours of your trip and they also offer shared excursions in case you don’t have 6 people in your party. The folks at Elizabeth Marie take pride in their positive reviews and understand that their success lies in repeat customers and referrals. Based on their 5-star Google reviews, they have the service and skills to back it up.
Enoch Charters
50 Old Dock St. / 781-264-5151 / enochcharters.com
Captain Jay “Jayco” Berggren is at the helm of the Enoch a Novi Northeaster 30’ which is equipped with all the latest electronics. Choose an Inshore charter and have your choice of 4, 6, 8, or 10-hour trips to reel in striped bass or bluefish and even haul in some lobster traps toward the end. Offshore trips are 10 hours long and what you catch will depend on the season. They also offer kid’s trips, including a “Jaws” theme party, whale watching, and sightseeing tours of Scituate Harbor.
Legit Fish Sportfishing
18 Jericho Rd. / legitfish.net
Captain Mark Rowell is legit! As one reviewer who has fished everywhere from Costa Rica to Key West puts it, “By far one of the best fishing Captains I have had.” He captains a 31’ motor-powered catamaran that is a “fish-catching machine.” And fishing is all that they do—you won’t find whale watching or pleasure cruises here. The catamaran has a maximum of only 4 guests but is equipped with state-of-the-art navigational instruments. Anglers of all ages and skill levels are welcome aboard.
They target fish too numerous to list here, so visit their website for full details.
White Cap Charters
Scituate Harbor / 781-834-7500 or 877-897-7700 / whitecapcharters.com
Captain Brad White grew up in the area and has been navigating the waters along the South Shore of Boston and Cape Cod Bay for several decades. The White Cap is a 33’ Fortier ideal for smooth rides for the many pleasure cruises, sightseeing, and whale watching tours they offer. It’s also fully outfitted with the latest fish-finding technology and navigational equipment for deep sea fishing charters and is even handicap accessible. Maximum capacity: 6 guests. A smaller 17’ vessel is also available for inshore fishing for 2 people.
Labrador Fishing Charters
82 Old Dock St. / 508-498-4716 / labradorfishingcharters.com
The Labrador is a 32’ BHM commercial fishing vessel and at the helm is Captain Don “Soup” Campbell who has 25 years of fishing experience under his belt. Captain Don is happy to share his comprehensive knowledge with his guests so that they get the fullest experience possible. You can choose from many types of fishing trips including children’s trips and shared or “mixed party” trips. They also have a wide range of time slots to choose from so you have more control over your day. If you’re not into sport fishing, Labrador also offers whale watching and seabird watching excursions as well as sunset cruises. They’re even dog friendly!
Peace ‘N Quiet Sailing Charters
Scituate Harbor / peacenquietsailing.com
Looking for something a little more relaxing? Book a cruise aboard a sailboat. Starting out in the summer of 2020, Peace ‘N Quiet Sailing Charters is a relative newcomer, but with over 40 years of sailing experience, Captain Phil is anything but a novice. The Peach ‘N Quiet offers 3-hour cruises either in the afternoon or evening and can accommodate up to 6 guests. This is a private charter, so even if you have fewer than 6 guests you will not be grouped with another party. Relax while the sails catch the wind, and you make your way along this beautiful stretch of shoreline. If you choose the evening cruise, watch the sun set on another great day on the ocean.
A Few Final Words
When booking a trip with any of the businesses listed here, please remember that the captain and crew put your safety and enjoyment first and want to help you create lifelong memories. If you feel they’ve done their job well, it is customary to tip the mate (or captain, if there is no mate) for their service—somewhere in the range of 20% of the price of the trip. Fishing charters typically operate from May 1st to November 1st. They provide bait and tackle as well as fishing equipment. You are allowed to keep what you catch as long as it meets state requirements, and the guides on your charter will clean and fillet your fish and package it up for you to take home.
Stay Nearby
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of reeling in a big fish from your deep-sea adventure or seeing a whale breach. Even better is the time spent out on the open waters with friends or family, disconnected from technology. Extend that quality time by booking a beautiful seaside retreat large enough for you to spready out, but cozy enough to continue the connection. Visit Scituate Oceanside Rentals to find the luxury rental property that suits your needs. Each is equipped with every amenity needed for that dream vacation or family reunion. When your head hits the pillow, you drift off to sleep to the sound of ocean waves echoing the day’s adventure asea.
