In 2019, the total graduating class on this Elizabeth Island was just one student, with a commencement speech delivered by actress Jenny Slate. The total year-round population on Cuttyhunk Island hovers around 10, on this island made mostly of golf carts, summer homes, boats, and one bed and breakfast that doubles as a fishing club.
Despite its remote nature, the population booms in summer months, with nearly 400 people on this tiny 580-acre island. Traveling from New Bedford, the M/V Cuttyhunk takes 149 people at a time on the one hour trip to Cuttyhunk.
Most people on island travel by foot or golf cart, with nearly 200 golf carts on the island, there are more golf carts than people most days of the week.
What to do on Cuttyhunk island
Cuttyhunk is most renowned as the sportfishing capital of New England, with one of the largest striped bass recorded caught on this island, weighing a whopping 73 pounds. There is a large population of striped bass among others around the notoriously rocky reefs of the island, making it the “bass capital of the world.”
While incredibly tiny, summer marks high season on island. With many boaters spending a night or a whole summer enjoying the natural beauty of the island. The island is most popular for boating and fishing but it does offer other entertainment as well.
There’s exactly one market, corner store, gift shop, library and historical society on the island. When you work up an appetite from all of the exploring, Cuttyhunk has seven dining options in total—a picnic company specialized in cheeseboards, a taco stand, Soprano’s Pizza, a take out fish market, a floating raw bar that delivers fresh seafood to your boat, and of course, every island needs an ice cream stall!
The only dine-in option on island is the Cuttyhunk Fishing Club, the island’s only bed and breakfast inn.
Traveling from Boston to Cuttyhunk
The Cuttyhunk Ferry travels from New Bedford to the island. Bostonians can drive to New Bedford, or take the MBTA Commuter Rail Fall River/New Bedford Line from South Station. The train takes about 90 minutes and the New Bedford train stop is about a half mile from the ferry terminal.
Ferry tickets are $68 for round-trip came day, and $46 one-way.
