West Island/Fairhaven

West Island

West Island of Fairhaven, Massachusetts is a small 535 acre island nestled in the heart of Buzzards Bay. More than half of the island is a state reserve and park. West Island also has 1 of the top 10 beaches in all of New England of the 5 that are sprinkled around the island.
The West Island Town Beach is the most popular and classic beach on the island. Located along the crescent-shaped southern coast of West Island, this town beach attracts lots of locals in summer and throughout the year. The beach is surrounded by protected forest and salt marshes, which offer more opportunities for wildlife watching and long walks through nature. You can discover life under the waves by going snorkeling at the town beach. Eelgrass thrives in the shallow waters here, providing a home for young fish, crabs, and bay scallops.
West Island State Reservation is another unique and beautiful part of the island. The Reserve stretches for acres and cannot be accessed by car, but many enjoy biking and walking the trails that lead to the shoreline. When you reach the Eastern border of West Island, you will find a vast coast covered in sand and shrubbery, with beaches for swimming, sand for a picnic, and nature to explore and observe.
Another favorite of the Island is the West Island Marina, which doubles as the quaint restaurant Off the Hook Bar & Grill, home to a bar and an ice cream window. Children often visit the ice cream window for a sweet treat. At night, in the summer months, live music can be heard quietly echoing across the causeway.
One last favorite on the island is the West Island Creamery (owned by Oxford Creamery) which serves the best fair priced ice cream all summer.