Yarmouth, Massachusetts, a seaside town lying on the Cape Cod coast, offers plenty to travelers who want their fishing with a side of picturesque strolls through history. With Cape Cod Bay on the north and Nantucket Sound on the south, Yarmouth is naturally gifted with stunning views, amazing beaches, and equally stunning fishing opportunities. Tourists also love strolling on the streets of its three villages - Yarmouth Port, West Yarmouth, and South Yarmouth - with their historically fascinating New England architecture and stunning foliage. Golfers of all levels will find Yarmouth’s scenic courses challenging and worthy of a round or two. There’s a lot to be discovered in this great and tranquil place for travelers of all ages and interests.
Yarmouth is a quiet and unassuming town, but its fishing opportunities are bountiful for anglers of all levels. There’s the legendary Bass River, situated right in between Yarmouth and another historic place in Massachusetts, Dennis. Its waters are teeming with - yup, you may have guessed by its name - bass. Particularly the prized striped bass. All the other Yarmouth villages are blessed with lakes, reservoirs, and access to the Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket Sound, so there’s plenty of fish here whether you’re an expert bass fisher or a novice angler aiming for your first big catch.
Top catches on Yarmouth, MA:
Striped Bass: available all year round, but particularly active from April until October and found in the waters of Bass River, Bass River Beach, and some parts of Yarmouth Port
Bluefish: not as active in the colder months, but very active at the height of summer around June and July, as well as October.
Flounder: available all year round, but most of them bite actively starting March and well into November
Tautog: catch this fish species from March and well into November offshore at Yarmouth’s artificial reef, Tire Pile
Cod: available and biting all year round, but especially active at the start of summer and then at the height of fall.
Strolling through the streets of Yarmouth is like traveling back in time with its fascinating old-world estates. You can just enjoy the walk on your own, or make it more interesting with self-guided tours made by the Historical Society of Old Yarmouth, which you can access from their website. A stroll through Yarmouth Port’s old village or a nature trail featuring quintessential Massachusetts foliage - the HSOY has you covered.
You can also visit one-of-a-kind historical structures in this town, including the Edward Gorey House, a museum in the actual house where Gorey, a famous children’s book illustrator, and Cape Cod native, actually lived. Other fascinating structures include the stunning Yarmouth New Church and the Judah Baker Windmill at the Windmill Park.
With fine sand, amazing views, and exciting seaside attractions, the beaches on Yarmouth should definitely be on your list. Commune with the locals at the popular Parkers River Beach, sunbathe on the sprawling Seagull Beach or have fun fishing, boating, and sunbathing at the Bass River Beach.
South Yarmouth is particularly known on this side of Massachusetts for its beautiful golf courses, including the 18-hole Bass River Golf Course and the Blue Rock Golf Course, which has one of the best holes of Cape Cod. The other villages have their own claim to golf fame, with West Yarmouth and the challenging Bayberry Hill Golf Course, and Yarmouth Port with its very own Kings Way Golf Course, designed by golf architect Brian Silva.