



Town Beach at West Island
Town Beach at West Island
Fairhaven, MA
Fairhaven, MA

2023 UPDATE WITH RESTRICTIONS FOR TOWN BEACH
2022 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. Permit must be affixed to vehicle.
FEES
SEASON PASS - $40.00
For property owners and year round residents
Resident must demonstrate proof of residency by showing vehicle registration, name, address and license plate number
SENIOR SEASON PASS – $20.00
For property owners and year round residents
Must have a valid senior citizen card or drivers license to receive this rate
Must be 62 years old – (1959 or older) before today’s date
RESIDENT WALK-IN/BICYCLE
Must have purchased a season pass and your name on identification must match our records
SEASONAL RENTAL PROPERTY TRANSFERRABLE PASS - $150.00
Property owner may obtain a transferrable pass for their season rental
The property owner must produce some type of proof of ownership (tax bill or water bill with the Fairhaven address)
One pass per property
NON-RESIDENT SEASON PASS - $150.00
Only 100 passes will be sold on a first come first serve basis
Non-Resident must have a valid vehicle registration
Seniors (60+) $20
Residents $40
Transferable Pass for Seasonal Renters $75
Visit the Beach Permit page for more info: https://www.fairhaven-ma.gov/parks-and-grounds-division-bpw/pages/beach-permits
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.
A favorite spot for kite surfers and kayaks; West Island Town Beach has its own web cams and weather right from sensors on location. See below for mobile apps and beach information.

THE WEST ISLAND WEATHER STATION IS POWERED BY


ENTER DASHBOARD HERE FOR FULL SCREEN

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.
The West Island Town Beach<%2Ffontsninja-text>" target="_blank">Town Beach opens in late June and ends Labor Day weekend.
or at the entrance to the West Island Town Beach. See below for more details.
The West Island Town Beach is owned by the Town of Fairhaven and is adjacent to the State Reservation .

2023 SUMMER SCHEDULE
2023 SUMMER SCHEDULE
West Island Town Beach is scheduled to open on June 26, 2023.
2023 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. Permit must be affixed to vehicle.
Contact the BPW with questions at 508-979-4030.
Seniors (60+) $20.00
Residents $40
Transferable Pass for Seasonal Renters $150.00
Visit the Beach Permit page for more info: https://www.fairhaven-ma.gov/public-works-d…/…/beach-permits
PASSES AT TOWN BEACH OR BPW <%2Ffontsninja-text>" target="_blank">BPW Office. 508-979-4023 508-979-4023
There are also toilet facilities available.
The beach is staffed from 9AM to 4PM.
Please help keep the beach clean.
The above services are not available off season.
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
COYOTE ADVISORY
REPORT A STRANDING
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Listen to NOAA weather radio for the latest weather forecasts.