Salem Harbor in Massachusetts

Trip Overview

We put in at the beach at the end of Stramski Way off West Shore Dr. in Marblehead. We paddled almost straight across to the Salem side of the Harbor and the Salem Maritime Park. There is a very long pier with a light at the end. We paddled to the left of the light and to the end at the Salem Friendship, a three masted schooner built for education. Then we headed North past the power plant and Winter Island.

At the lighthouse at the mouth of the harbor, the chop picked up and the paddling went from protected to open ocean. We headed West following the coast to a large wooden pier at Salem Willows Park where we stopped for lunch. There is an old, famous place there that makes the best popcorn we ever had. We put in again and took a due South course from the lighthouse back to the beach where we put in.

All told, about five miles of pleasant paddling.

Accommodations:

None

Fees:

No permits or fees except if you want to use the boat racks.

Directions:

Take Rt 114 into Marblehead. Take a left at the light onto West Shore Drive. Take the second left after the cemetery onto Stramski Way. Drive to the end of the gravel road to a cul de sac where you can unload then park at the nearby parking area.