You Can Now Visit Sipson Island in Orleans, Massachusetts

If you've ever found yourself on Davis Road or Horseshoe Lane in South Orleans, you might have noticed a small island just off the coast on Pleasant Bay.

Sure, Pleasant Bay has numerous islands, but this one is a little different because, between 1711 and July of 2020, the island was private and inaccessible to the general public.

Photograph courtesy of https://sipsonisland.org/

That has changed, however, as Sipson Island was recently purchased by the Sipson Island Trust, thanks to fundraising efforts by Friends of Pleasant Bay and the Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts.

The 24-acre island is now open to the public from dawn until dusk every day of the week, allowing Cape Cod residents their first look at this mysterious piece of land.

Make sure you head to Sipson Island at some point in the near future to become one of the first people to stand on its shores in over 300 years.

The Island's History

We know very little about the history of Sipson Island, except that it was an important location for the Monomoyick tribe before colonization. Artifacts and primitive structures remain on the island, with many more waiting to be found as people begin exploring.

We know that in 1711, Tom Sipson, the Nauset tribe's last sachem, sold the island to a group of 11 English colonists, and it has remained private ever since. Some development has occurred on the island, as evidenced by the homes still sitting there, but much of it has been untouched since 1711.

Other islands on Pleasant Bay have gone through periods of privatization, but all have opened to the public over the years through conservation groups' efforts.

With the opening of Sipson Island, you can now visit every island on Pleasant Bay, making this exciting for many locals.

Getting to the Island

There’s no transportation to Sipson Island, and there aren’t any plans to add this feature in the future. As a result, you’re on your own to get there.

Luckily, there are 15 nearby places to put a boat in the water if you're interested in exploring this island.

The closest departure point is Quanset Pond, a hidden location in South Orleans where you can launch a kayak or other small vessel from the beach. From there, you'll have a short yet scenic paddle to the island.

Other nearby boat launches include Pahwah Point, Portnimicut, and Town Landing in Orleans, Head of Pleasant Bay in Harwich, and Ryder's Cove in Chatham. Some of these ramps permit you to take a larger boat or motorized vessel to the island if you don’t think you’re capable of paddling.

Keep in mind that you're only permitted to land your boat on the island's east coast, and you can't use the dock because it remains private. You must also have a shallow-draft vessel under 22 feet because the area is protected, and larger boats could damage the ecosystem.

What You Can Do There

Once you arrive on the island, you’re free to explore almost everywhere, although some land is private for the time being. That’s because there are houses there, so you’ll have to steer clear of them and their surrounding property.

There are signs telling you where you cannot go on the island, and there's a network of marked trails running through the interior woodlands.

Since the island sits in the middle of Pleasant Bay, you're probably wondering about the beach, and the good news is that you can spend your day lounging by the water almost anywhere on the island. Much like the dock, there is a small section of private beach, but the rest is available for public use.

You can swim in the water and fish from the shore if you have the necessary license, so visitors to Sipson Island can take full advantage of its isolation and beauty when spending the day there.

This island is a unique location that is incredibly well preserved, so don’t leave anything behind and ensure that this pristine environment stays as it was when you arrived.

Experience the Beauty of Pleasant Bay

The opening of Sipson Island is an exciting development for Cape Cod residents because it’s the last Pleasant Bay island to become accessible to the public. The island is sure to become a popular spot for anyone who loves exploring some of the Cape’s most secluded locations, particularly during the summer.

Make Sipson Island part of your summer plans on Cape Cod because you never know when you’ll have another opportunity to experience a location that has been closed to the public for over 300 years.