Thinking about life on the water in Scituate? If you plan to keep a boat here, understanding moorings, slips, and the waitlists can make or break your season. Whether you are buying a coastal home or relocating your vessel, a little planning goes a long way. This guide breaks down who manages what, how to join the right lists, fees and insurance basics, and practical tips to avoid surprises. Let’s dive in.
Scituate Harbor at a glance
Scituate Harbor is a working waterfront with both commercial and recreational boating across several connected waterways. The Harbormaster’s Office oversees water safety and manages town moorings and municipal slips. You will find rules, applications, maps, and waitlist details on the town’s site, which is the best place to confirm current season information and contacts. Visit the Harbormaster page for current policies and links to applications.
Town vs private access
Scituate operates municipal marinas, including Cole Parkway Marina and Scituate Marine Park at the Town Pier, and runs the town mooring program. Private clubs and commercial marinas also serve boaters inside the harbor, and they set their own policies for dockage, launch service, and transient access. Some transient moorings and launch services are handled by clubs and private operators, not by the Harbormaster, so schedules and pickup can vary by provider and season.
Transient bookings and fees
Transient reservations for town marinas are handled online, and the posted fee is $3.00 per foot, per night. Always check the town’s transient slip and mooring information for the latest rates and details. Club and private marina policies differ, so contact those operators directly for their current offerings.
Mooring waitlist: how to get on it
To join Scituate’s mooring waiting list, file the Town Mooring Permit Application with the Harbormaster. There is a $20 one-time application fee and an annual $5 renewal to keep your place. The town invoices renewals no later than August 1 and requires payment by September 15. If you miss the deadline, you are removed from the list. The waitlist is organized by boat-size category, then by your application anniversary date.
Know the rules
Before you apply, review the Mooring Rules and Regulations, revised December 19, 2023. This document covers placement, tackle standards, owner responsibilities, and conduct. It is also the place to check any details about eligibility or preferences that may affect where you can moor.
Municipal slips: sign-ups and timing
Slip waitlists are annual. The town opens sign-ups on August 1 at 9:00 AM, and anything submitted earlier is ignored. Completing the online form does not guarantee a slip. Assignments consider timing of your sign-up, plus vessel length, beam, draft, and type. The town posted that assignments for the 2026 cycle begin February 1, 2026, and asks applicants not to call while assignments are in process. Always verify the current cycle dates with the Harbormaster.
Insurance, documents, and season windows
Town mooring and slip users must have liability insurance naming the Town of Scituate as Additional Insured. Minimums posted by the town are $250,000 for mooring patrons and $1,000,000 for slip patrons, dinghy patrons with motors, and Town Pier users. The required insurance page lists the exact documentation and code of conduct you need to keep on file.
In 2025, Scituate approved a shoulder-season program that extends limited marina access in spring and fall at town facilities. Examples include a spring window starting April 15 at Cole Parkway and a fall window through November 15. Season windows and rates can change, so confirm the current year’s schedule with the Harbormaster before you plan your launch or haul-out.
Transient options and ramps
Cole Parkway Marina is the town’s central hub for transients and includes the Cole Parkway public boat ramp with courtesy docking and a skiff dock. The Jericho Road State Boat Ramp is another popular public launch with larger parking and courtesy docking. Commercial marinas inside the harbor offer fuel and transient or seasonal dockage. Policies, amenities, and depth details are listed on their individual sites.
Smart planning for buyers and sellers
If you are buying a home and plan to keep a boat in Scituate, check the town’s waitlists before you finalize your move. If you already own a boat, keep your application current, pay renewal fees on time, and make sure your insurance meets the town minimums with the correct Additional Insured language. If you own or are considering waterfront property, review the Mooring Rules and Regulations to understand how shorefront eligibility is handled locally. For boat or real estate transactions that involve a mooring or slip, confirm transfer rules with the Harbormaster or marina manager before you rely on any assumed transfer.
Quick checklist
- Join the mooring waitlist and calendar the annual Sept 15 renewal deadline.
- Confirm municipal slip waitlist opening on Aug 1 at 9:00 AM.
- Review the town’s Mooring Rules and Regulations before you buy or move a boat.
- Secure required liability insurance and name the Town as Additional Insured.
- If you need a short-term solution, explore transient slips, club launches, or nearby marinas while you wait.
- Verify current season windows each year before scheduling your launch or haul-out.
Work with a local advisor
Boating access affects daily life and timing, especially if you are buying or selling a coastal home. You deserve a plan that fits your season, your vessel, and your move. For strategic, concierge-level real estate guidance on the South Shore and across the SouthCoast, connect with Susan Gorden Ryan.
FAQs
How do Scituate’s mooring waitlists work and what are the fees?
- File the Town Mooring Permit Application, pay a $20 one-time fee, then renew annually for $5 by Sept 15 to keep your spot; the list is sorted by boat-size category, then by application anniversary date.
When can I sign up for municipal slip waitlists in Scituate?
- The town opens sign-ups on Aug 1 at 9:00 AM, uses vessel specs and timing to assign slips, and notes that completing the online form does not guarantee a slip.
What insurance is required for town moorings and slips?
- Mooring patrons need at least $250,000 liability coverage and slip, dinghy with motor, and Town Pier patrons need $1,000,000, with the Town of Scituate listed as Additional Insured.
How do transient bookings and launch services work in Scituate?
- Town transient slips are reserved online at posted rates, while many transient moorings and launch runs are operated by clubs or private services, so availability and pickup vary by operator and season.
Where are the main public boat ramps in Scituate?
- Cole Parkway offers a municipal ramp with courtesy docking, and the Jericho Road State Boat Ramp provides another busy public launch with larger parking and docking options.
