THE REGION
South Coast Massachusetts
The stretch of Buzzards Bay coastline that locals keep to themselves. Same beautiful water as Cape Cod — fewer crowds, lower prices, and a more authentic New England experience.
Summer 2026 — select weeks still available
About the South Coast
The South Coast of Massachusetts is the 80-mile stretch of shoreline that runs along Buzzards Bay from Wareham to the Rhode Island border. It takes in the towns of Marion, Mattapoisett, Fairhaven, New Bedford, Dartmouth, and Westport — each with its own character, its own harbor, and its own reason to visit. If you drew a line from Providence to Cape Cod, the South Coast is everything below it: a landscape of salt marshes, working farms, stone walls, and water views that most tourists drive right past on their way to the Cape.
That's what makes it special. The South Coast has the same Buzzards Bay water as the western side of Cape Cod — warm, calm, and swimmable from late June through September — but without the bridge traffic, the crowds, or the prices that have made the Cape increasingly difficult to enjoy. There are no boardwalks here, no chain restaurants fighting over the waterfront. Instead you get farm stands selling corn picked that morning, vineyards pouring wines made from grapes grown on the hillside behind you, and harbors where working lobster boats still outnumber pleasure craft.
The food culture on the South Coast is genuine. New Bedford has become a dining destination in its own right, with Portuguese restaurants that have been family-run for generations alongside new farm-to-table spots. Westport, MA has award-winning wineries and breweries. Dartmouth's Padanaram Village feels like a movie set of a perfect New England harbor town. The whole region has a farm-to-table ethos that isn't manufactured — it exists because there are actual farms everywhere, and the seafood comes off the boats that morning.
The South Coast is where people from Boston and Providence go when they want real coastal New England without the tourist infrastructure. It's not undiscovered — locals have known about it for generations — but it has stayed remarkably unspoiled. And at the western end of this coastline, where the Westport River meets Buzzards Bay, sits the village of Westport Point in the town of Westport, Massachusetts. It's the gem of the South Coast: a historic waterfront village with a harbor, fishing pier, and a handful of houses right on the water. 2042 Main Road is one of them.
What To Do
The defining feature of the South Coast. Buzzards Bay is warmer and calmer than the open Atlantic, making it ideal for swimming, kayaking, and sailing. The sunsets over the bay are legendary — and from Westport Point, you watch them from your front door. 2042 Main Road sits right on the water with dock access and kayaks.
Nearly two miles of wide-open sand in Westport, MA — widely considered one of the best beaches in Massachusetts. Strong surf, towering dunes, and sunsets that draw crowds even on weeknights. About a 10-minute drive from Westport Point and 2042 Main Road.
An award-winning vineyard set on a hilltop in the heart of Westport, Massachusetts. Their sparkling wines have beaten French Champagnes in blind tastings. Weekend events, tastings, and gorgeous grounds make it a South Coast essential.
The largest whaling museum in the world, located 20 minutes north in historic New Bedford. A half-scale replica of a whaling ship, original logbooks, and the story of the industry that built this coast. Pair it with lunch in New Bedford's revitalized downtown.
A picture-perfect harbor village in Dartmouth, about 15 minutes from Westport Point. Waterfront dining, boutique shops, and a yacht club that hosts one of the oldest regattas in the country. A lovely afternoon excursion from 2042 Main Road.
The South Coast is agricultural New England at its best. Farm stands line the roads of Westport, MA and Dartmouth, selling fresh corn, tomatoes, berries, flowers, and local honey. Pick up ingredients on your way back to 2042 Main Road and cook dinner in the updated kitchen at Westport Point.
South Coast Evenings
The South Coast at sunset. A fire pit at the edge of the harbor, the water going still, and the kind of quiet that only exists where the tourists haven't arrived yet. This is Westport Point — the heart of the South Coast.
Local Legacy
Rooted on This Coast
The South Coast isn't just a destination — it's where families have built lives for generations. The Long family has been on this stretch of Massachusetts coastline for three generations. A grandfather who served thirty years as a State Representative. Letters from a future President and one of the longest-serving Senators in American history in the family archive.
2042 Main Road in Westport Point is where the family gathers — the boathouse, the dock, the fire pit at sunset. When you stay here, you're not renting a unit. You're staying at a family's place on the water, in a community where roots run deep. That's the South Coast.
From the family archive — the Kennedy brothers and the Long family
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the South Coast of Massachusetts?
The South Coast of Massachusetts is the stretch of coastline along Buzzards Bay, running from Wareham in the east to Westport at the Rhode Island border. It includes the towns of Westport, Dartmouth, New Bedford, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, and Marion. The region is known for its beaches, working harbors, farms, vineyards, and a quieter pace of life compared to Cape Cod across the bay.
Is the South Coast MA a good vacation destination?
The South Coast is an exceptional vacation destination — and still largely undiscovered by tourists. You get the same beautiful coastline, warm Buzzards Bay water, and fresh seafood as Cape Cod, but without the traffic, crowds, or premium pricing. The region has outstanding beaches like Horseneck in Westport, award-winning wineries, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, and a farm-to-table culture that rivals anywhere in New England. Westport Point, in the town of Westport, MA, is one of the most charming waterfront villages on the entire coast.
How does the South Coast compare to Cape Cod?
The South Coast sits directly across Buzzards Bay from Cape Cod and shares the same water, the same sunsets, and much of the same natural beauty. The key differences: the South Coast is less developed, less crowded, and more affordable. There are no bridge bottlenecks to contend with. The water on the Buzzards Bay side is warmer and calmer than the Atlantic-facing Cape beaches. What you trade is tourist infrastructure — there are fewer mini-golf courses and T-shirt shops. What you gain is authenticity. The South Coast is where locals from Boston and Providence go when they want real coastal New England.
What towns are on the South Coast of Massachusetts?
The South Coast includes Westport, Dartmouth, New Bedford, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Marion, and Wareham. Each town has its own character: Westport is agricultural and coastal, with Westport Point as its historic waterfront village. Dartmouth has the charming harbor village of Padanaram. New Bedford is a working city with world-class museums and dining. Marion and Mattapoisett are classic New England sailing towns. Together they form a coastline that stretches roughly 80 miles.
What beaches are on the South Coast MA?
The South Coast has some of the best beaches in Massachusetts. Horseneck Beach State Reservation in Westport, MA is the flagship — nearly two miles of open sand on Buzzards Bay with strong surf and spectacular sunsets. Demarest Lloyd State Park in Dartmouth offers calm, warm water in a protected setting. Round Hill Beach in Dartmouth, Mattapoisett Town Beach, and Silvershell Beach in Marion round out the options. All feature the warmer water that Buzzards Bay is known for.
Are there vacation rentals on the South Coast of Massachusetts?
Yes. The South Coast has a growing selection of vacation rentals, from waterfront cottages to historic homes. Westport Point, in the town of Westport, Massachusetts, is one of the most sought-after locations. 2042 Main Road is a 3-bedroom waterfront colonial right on the harbor at Westport Point — a top 5% Airbnb with a 4.92-star rating and Superhost status. It's available as a seasonal summer rental from June through August, with dock access, kayaks, and a canoe.
Is Westport on the South Coast?
Yes. Westport, Massachusetts is at the western end of the South Coast, bordering Rhode Island. The town's coastline runs along Buzzards Bay and includes Horseneck Beach, one of the region's best beaches. Westport Point is a historic waterfront village at the mouth of the Westport River — and the location of 2042 Main Road, a waterfront summer rental with harbor views and direct water access.
Stay at 2042 Main Road
Stay at the heart of the South Coast. 2042 Main Road is on the water at Westport Point, Westport, Massachusetts. Book on Airbnb.
Book on Airbnb