Chatham Fish Pier – Free Cape Cod Summer Fun!
Chatham Fish Pier Observation Deck
If you are looking for a fun and FREE late afternoon activity this summer, why not take in the Chatham Fish Pier. One of the most photographed spots on Cape Cod, the Fish Pier is located at 54 Barcliff Avenue Extension, just off of Shore Road in Chatham, a quarter mile south of the Route 28 intersection. The best time to go is in late afternoon when the commercial fishing boats return to unload their daily catch. On any given day the catch can be cod, haddock, dogfish, lobster, tuna, or scallops that will be shipped to Boston, New York, or destinations overseas.
Take the stairway to the observation deck and watch the activity from a bird‘s eye view. It’s a treat for all your senses. A fish elevator transports the catch up, past your nose, and onto a conveyor belt that moves the haul into the processing plant. Seagulls screech above your head, and massive grey seals lurk below hoping a tempting treat will be tossed their way.
As part of its community outreach efforts, the Cape Cod Hook Fishermen’s Association (CCCHFA) sends a fishing expert to the pier, Wednesdays through Saturdays, to answer visitors’ questions as part of their “Fish Pier Host” program. The hosts are generally retired commercial fisherman, with a wealth of information about the catch, the local waters, and what it’s like to fish commercially.
The Fish Pier sees around 17,500 visitors annually. On your way into or out of Chatham, be sure to travel down Shore Road, past the Chatham Bars Inn (a Cape Cod Institution) to Chatham Lighthouse and Lighthouse Beach.