West Island Town Beach Fairhaven MA
BUZZARDS BAY
WEST ISLAND TOWN BEACH
Fairhaven, MA - BUZZARDS BAY
Updated schedule for 2025 pending
Known by the locals and [West] Islanders, this small crescent-shaped gem offers great swimming in calm waters. Swimming best at high tide. If you don't want to drive, then go by boat: at the western heart of Buzzards Bay, facing Falmouth. Take a nature walk, see the estuaries and birds on the uninhabited "back-side of the island". Sunrises on Town Beach; sunsets at the causeway. Find your peace here.
FEES 2024
(2025 schedule pending update)
SEASON PASS - $40.00
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For property owners and year round residents
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Resident must demonstrate proof of residency by showing vehicle registration, name, address and license plate number
SENIOR SEASON PASS – $20.00
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For property owners and year round residents
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Must have a valid senior citizen card or drivers license to receive this rate
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Must be 62 years old – (1959 or older) before today’s date
RESIDENT WALK-IN/BICYCLE
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Must have purchased a season pass and your name on identification must match our records
SEASONAL RENTAL PROPERTY TRANSFERABLE PASS - $200.00
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Property owner may obtain a transferable pass for their season rental
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The property owner must produce some type of proof of ownership (tax bill or water bill with the Fairhaven address)
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The property owner must produce some type of proof that the property is a seasonal rental property (rental agreement)
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One pass per property
ACUSHNET RESIDENT SEASON PASS - $40.00 SOLD OUT
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Only 100 passes will be sold on a first come first serve basis
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Resident must demonstrate proof of residency by showing vehicle registration, name, address and license plate number
NON-RESIDENT SEASON PASS - $150.00 SOLD OUT
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Only 100 passes will be sold on a first come first serve basis
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Non-Resident must have a valid vehicle registration
2025 SUMMER SCHEDULE (pending)
West Island Town Beach is scheduled to open on June 28, 2025 (tentative).
2025 Beach Passes will not be available at the gate. To obtain your Beach Pass visit the Town of Fairhaven, Board of Public Works, during normal business hours or mail in a copy of your vehicle registration, proof of residency (if you are a seasonal resident), payment and self-addressed envelope to 5 Arsene Street, Fairhaven MA 02719.
Lost or stolen permits are not the Town’s responsibility. Must purchase a new one at full price. The permit must be affixed to the vehicle.
​Contact the BPW with questions at 508-979-4030.
REPORT A STRANDING
West Island in the middle of Buzzards Bay, and the rocky terrain of this magnificent beach is ideal for spotting ships of all kinds and ocean wildlife. Some of the cleanest, healthiest water, and life under the waves can be discovered by going snorkeling at this beach. Eel grass thrives in the sea breeze here, providing a home for marine life of all kinds, including fish, crabs, and bay scallops.
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Facts About Jellyfish
- Jellyfish stings are the most common injury sustained by beachgoers each year.
- Jellyfish stings are painful because when jellyfish tentacles touch us, they release millions of tiny corkscrew-shaped cells called nematocysts. The nematocysts penetrate our skin and repeatedly release painful toxins.
- When we?re stung, our natural reaction is to rub the injured area. However, this action triggers even more nematocysts to fire their toxins, causing even more pain.
- In 2006, the British Broadcasting Company reported more than 130 million jellyfish stings. Many experts estimate that the number is actually much higher.
- The jellyfish problem is getting worse. Increased bacteria and warmer oceans have caused the jellyfish population to increase dramatically in recent years.
- FDA-compliant Jellyfish Squish® contains the maximum over-the-counter dosage of lidocaine, the same ingredient that hospitals use to treat burn patients.
- Jellyfish Squish® has been proven to stop the pain of jellyfish stings within 5 minutes of application?and to stop the pain-causing nematocysts from firing again.
- Jellyfish Squish® has been endorsed by:
- The American Lifeguard Association
- Dr. Paul Auerbach, Professor of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine
- Kevin Carvalo, Fire Captain, Okaloosa Island, FL
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