Ten Most Impressive Eco Tours on Cape Cod & the Islands …a ten minute read…
Jeanette Robinson
August 5, 2024
Ecotourism is described and defined by Wikipedia as “a form of tourism marketed as "responsible" travel (using what proponents say is sustainable transport) to natural areas, conserving the environment, and improving the well-being of the local people. The stated purpose may be to educate the traveler, to provide funds for ecological conservation, to directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local communities, or to foster respect for different cultures and human rights.”
Eco-tourism is for the traveler/explorer who does not like to upset nature in the places they visit focusing significantly on education, with each tour aiming to inform on practical ways to preserve nature and culture.
So let’s get to our hot topic, ECO TOURISM on Cape Cod…and who applies this ideal way of touring in its purest form? The following punch list is not ranked in best to worst, but lists 10 tours and experiences as a collection of excellent examples of eco tours in this region. All of the recommendations are within an hour drive from Frederick William House, the little bed and breakfast located in Falmouth on Cape Cod. The list of Cape Cod eco tours offered are extensive…but I am going to focus on these ten good examples and I will be discussing what a failed example looks like. From fishing charters to sustainable farming and fishing techniques, to exploring the island of Nantucket, to Cape Cod’s pristine National Seashore, guided hikes through Bebe Woods, ancient and historic village sites, nature walks and talks…there are countless ways of getting up-close-and-personal with Cape Cod’s natural world in an environmentally conscious way.
The reason why eco tourism is so important to the future of travel, is to show the public why preservation is so important. We must safeguard our natural resources, our monuments, our culture and history for our future generations so they can understand what we did wrong…so our descendants have the tools to make our mistakes right. I will start our journey with a site that is probably the most important site on the entire eastern seaboard of the United States…that is currently unrecognized and in danger…this is the example of bad and scary…it is an example of how we can do better…
Cape Cod’s breathtaking terrains were formed during the end of the last Ice Age, from glacial moraine that stretches from Woods Hole to beyond the Cape Cod Canal. The hills were created some 15,000 to 18,000 years ago. Evidence of the glacier’s work is everywhere, from the huge boulders to the irregular shapes of the hills and the kettle holes. This landscape is what makes walking through Bebe Woods in Falmouth so spectacular. During the millennia the forests variety of Birch, Oak, Beech, Chestnut, Maple, Cedar, Poplar, and Ash create a kaleidoscope of colors in the fall like a living water color painting you can walk through, but is is not virtual.
Prior to English contact in the 17th century, the Wampanoag numbered as many as 40,000 people living across 67 villages composing the Wampanoag Nation. These villages covered the territory along the east coast as far as Wessagusset (today called Weymouth), all of what is now Cape Cod and the islands of Natocket and Noepe (now called Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard), and southeast as far as Pokanocket (now Bristol and Warren, Rhode Island). The Wampanoag lived on this land for over 12,000 years.
Ancient petroglyphs, village sites, standing stones, caves, dolmans, and rock piles can be found throughout most of New England all the way up to Maine. One of the most impressive sites is in Rocky Woods located on the Norton/Lakeville town line. King Philip’s Cave sits in the middle of 300 acres of ancient native lands with rock plateaus, petroglyphs and standing stones. The 8000 year old ancient monolithic archaeological site is in danger of development, and a solar farm already sits on top of one of its most significant stone plateaus, complete with standing stones, just beneath a sea of solar panels.
The stupidity of the developmental encroachment on this megalithic site is sickening to me, but you are still able to hike the woods and visit the cave and if you are lucky you may find a native guide to help you understand what you are seeing.
10 Best Eco Tours on Cape Cod & the Islands:
Duration: 2-3 hours
Best for: Cruise Cape Cod Canal
What to see and do
Three Hour Sightseeing Cruise
Cruises all the way through the Cape Cod Canal, to the Sandwich Boat Basin and returns. Featuring live commentary about the fascinating history and points of interest.
Two Hour Sightseeing Cruise
Cruises 2/3 the distance of the 3-hour sightseeing cruise to the Herring Run and returns. Featuring live commentary about the fascinating history and points of interest.
Sunset Cocktail Cruise
Enjoy a beautiful sunset, as you kick off your summer evening fun aboard this 2-hour cruise. Available Monday & Wednesday:7:00 pm July 1st – July 31st6:45 pm August 7th – 28th
Duration: 3.5 – 4 hours
Best for: Learning About Sustainable Oyster Farming.
What to see and do
Farm Tour
Harvested and sold exclusively on Martha’s Vineyard
Cottage City Oysters are considered some of the best oysters in the world, because of the regenerative farming techniques used and the cold, clean, crisp flowing open ocean waters of the Vineyard Sound, Oak Bluffs Martha’s Vineyard.
Specializing in ocean farm products, Seafood Home Delivery, On-site Raw Bars, Educational Presentations, Farm Tours, and Marine Research.
Contact Us
4500Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
PHONE 5082997745
Duration: 1-2 hours
Best for: Sustainable Farming
What to see and do
Farm Tour & Hiking Conservation Lands
Celebrating their 28th year, this family-owned farm is located at the heart of 11 secluded acres. The small farm boasts over 7,000 plants. The property is surrounded by 75 acres of conservation land with woodland walking trails. The farm is free to visit and open March-December. The lavender harvest occurs between late June to mid-July (peak bloom).
Contact Us
PHONE 508-432-8397
Duration: 2 hours
Best for:
The Cape Cod Central Railroad is great for all members of the family!
Visiting rail-exclusive parts of Cape Cod and admiring the scenery and natural formations such as dunes, marshes, and cranberry bogs. It’s also good for learning about the history of the Cape Cod Canal.
What to see and do
The Cape Cod Central Railroad takes passengers from Buzzards Bay, passes over Cape Cod Canal, and proceeds to Sandwich, West Barnstable, and Hyannis. The stops and the natural sights can only be accessed by train and skirts along Cape Cod’s coast. From this Cape Cod eco tour as you’re viewing the inland and coastal ecological wonders from a distance!
Each excursion features narration on the scenery as the train passes it by and provides an informative history of the canal and its importance to local towns and industries. You will also be educated on the rich flora of the area, mainly the cranberry bogs.
Admire the natural beauty of the Cape from the comfort of your train seat in the Cape Cod Central Railroad. Depending on what time you book, you can enjoy lunch, brunch, or dinner on the train.
You can book tickets online on the Cape Cod Central Railroad website.
Duration: 2 hours
Best for: Actively helping with the conservation of local marine and wildlife. Learn how to identify an array of different marine animals, catch, and handle them, and become familiar with their problems and how to help. The Woods Hole Science Aquarium collecting walk is ideal for anyone who wants to help the local marine life. Located in Upper Cape, tour guides from the Woods Hole Science Aquarium will equip you with buckets, nets, and other equipment and lead you through local beaches and salt marshes.
What to see and do
Catch animals native to the beaches and salt marshes and assess how thriving the marine life is. Learn how to safely catch different wildlife species, release them, or take them back to the aquarium, and maintain the natural setting.
This Cape Cod eco tour is free. You can sign up for this tour at the Woods Hole Science Aquarium front desk.
Duration: 1-3 hours
Best for: Exploring the rich, in-land nature that the island of Nantucket has to offer. The Nantucket Walkabout Tour is a must if you’re looking to learn the geological history of the region, as well as what conservation initiatives are currently in place to preserve the island’s brilliance.
It’s a fun and educational excursion into the wild for the whole family.
What to see and do
The island’s unusual geological origin gives it a unique topography, making it an excellent location for a botanical, bird, and geographical nature walk.
Go birdwatching for bald eagles, wrens, northern harriers, black ducks, and orioles. You will learn everything there is to know about the natural world of Nantucket, thanks to the highly informed tour guides, who are established researchers in the field.
You can also learn about Native American presence on the island and how early settlers affected the landscape.
You can book a hike on the Nantucket Walkabout website.
Duration: 1.5 hours year round
Best for: Sustainable Farming Eco Tours
Website: www.makepeacefarm.com
Located just off-Cape, the A.D. Makepeace Company is one of the world’s largest cranberry growers. They offer all-year-long private group tours, which come with a guide. You can dry harvest your own cranberries while on tour.
If you take the tour in the spring, you’ll see the preparation of the new bogs and how older bogs are renovated.During the summer, the tour takes you through the educational lessons about the bees and tiny flowers where thecranberry got its name from.
In the fall, you’re in for the beautiful wet harvest. Then, by winter, you witness the vines’ leaves change to the rich red cranberry color.
It is a guided tour. Throughout the tour, your guide will explain the yearly cycle of cranberry growing, methods of harvesting, and insights on what it means to be a cranberry farmer.
The A.D. Makepeace Company hosts an annual Cranberry Harvest Celebration in early October. You can join the event to learn more about cranberries.
Costs/Packages for the A.D. Makepeace Company Tours
There are group and private tours offered all year long. For groups, there have to be ten or more people.
For details of tour costs and packages, call 508 295 5437.
Contact Us
PHONE 5082955437
Duration: 1.5 hours year round
Best for: Sustainable Farming Apple Picking & Pumpkin Picking in Fall with Corn Maize with Orchards overlooking the scenic views of the ocean.
Website: http://www.crowfarmcapecod.com/
Crow Farm is a 50-acre family farm located just outside of historic downtown Sandwich on Cape Cod overlooking senic ocean views. Since 2020, we have been offering our wholesale produce like tomatoes and peaches as well as bedding plants and herbs to local farm stands across Cape Cod. We hope to see you for our expanded pick-your-own program. Seasonally, we offer pick-your-own dates announced through our Facebook page. You can also call us at 508-888-0690. We update our message regularly to share what is available for picking.
This fall we will have apples and pumpkins (with a corn maize!)
Contact Us
PHONE 5088880690
Duration: 3.5 – 4 hours
Best for: Spotting and learning how to identify minke, finback, and humpback whales.
What to see and do
Captain John Boats was established in 1946, running daily fishing trips. Captain John Boats now runs whale watching trips, deep sea fishing trips, a fast ferry run to Provincetown, harbor cruises, and private charters departing from the historic waterfront on both the Town Wharf and State Pier in Plymouth, MA, as well as the MacMillan Pier in Provincetown, MA. The cruise carries you to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary for unforgettable encounters with the whales! The seasonal home to Humpback, Finback, Minke whales and several dolphin species, the waters around Cape Cod consistently rank as one of the world’s top 10 whale watching destinations. You’ll learn how to identify features of whales and be able to differentiate between species at the end of the Whale Watcher tour. There will also be general marine life spotting, as well as bird watching.
Contact Us
Plymouth, MA 02360
EMAIL info@captjohn.com
PHONE 5085054508
Duration: 3-4 hours
Best for: Living History Museum
In the oldest town in New England, Plimoth Patuxet is a vibrant cultural hub and resource. Discovering the past helps us to better understand our world. Here you may explore the stories of the Wampanoag and English people who met along these historic shores of change. Their voices have much to teach, and the legacy of their lessons continues today. Patuxet is a complex of living history museums in Plymouth, Massachusetts founded in 1947, formerly Plimoth Plantation. It replicates the original settlement of the Plymouth Colony established in the 17th century by the English colonists who became known as the Pilgrims. It is located near Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower 2 and is a central attraction in the historic town of Plymouth.
Contact Us
137 Warren Avenue
Plymouth MA 02360
EMAIL info@plimoth.org
PHONE 15087461622
Experiencing the True Nature of Cape Cod and the Islands
All of the Cape Cod eco tours described above, offer an ethical means of experiencing the true nature of this beautiful area. There’s nothing quite like getting up close to Cape Cod’s one-of-a-kind natural world, both off-shore and in-land. Cape Cod is, of course, home to many other Boat and Charter tours, a lot of which are appealing to eco-tourists.
From riding the railways of Cape Cod Central Railroad to exploring the dense wildlife of Nantucket on a Nantucket Walkabout Tour, you are sure to find something to your taste that will make your trip to Cape Cod all the more special.
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