Elizabeth Islands, Massachusetts · Buzzards Bay · 41°31.4′N 70°40.7′W
Hadley Harbor, tucked among the little islands at the east end of the Elizabeth chain, is the anchorage cruisers dream about — a nearly landlocked, wooded, silent hole with holding to trust your night to, and not a building in sight.
The Forbes family's Naushon Island keeps the whole place undeveloped, and it feels like stepping back a century. Work in among the islands watching the chart for rocks, and anchor in the inner harbor in 10–14 ft of thick mud — protection is all-round and the water goes glassy. You may land the dinghy at the small public dock and walk the lanes, but the island itself is private.
There are no services, no lights, no noise — just herons, the odd dinghy, and one of the most protected anchorages in New England. Come self-sufficient and stay a while.
Hazards & cautions. The inner harbor is a maze of small islands with rocks and shoals between them — read the chart and feel your way in; it is easy to find the bottom if you cut a corner. A few private guest moorings are for members only; anchor and leave them.
Coast Pilot describes Hadley Harbor as an intricate but very well protected anchorage among the eastern Elizabeth Islands, with good holding in mud.
No cruiser reports yet. If you've anchored here, be the first — your note helps the next boat in.
Augusto ratings and editorial are our own synthesis of public-domain sources and cruiser reports. Always verify against current charts and local knowledge before you rely on them.