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From New England to the Chesapeake, which historic waterway will you choose to explore?
The 17.5 mile-long artificial waterway joins Cape Cod Bay in the northeast with Buzzards Bay in the southwest. The Sagamore, Bourne and Railroad Bridges span the canal allowing for 135 ft. clearance above mean high tide. Large vessels and cargo ships up to 825 ft. navigate a different route.
The original plan for the canal began in 1909, but it wasn’t until 1914 that it first opened as a private tollway. Soon after, it was expanded and the main bridges were built. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers took over operations with the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1935, creating the bustling industrial, commercial and toll-free canal it is today.
On each end of the canal, you can find transient marinas such as Taylor Point Marina to the west and Sandwich Marina to the east. Hy-Line Cruises offers the canal’s only historic sightseeing tour. Cape Cod Canal Cruises sails from Onset, MA, and tours the bridges, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Scusset Beach State Reservation and sites along Cape Cod Bay.
The Cape Cod Canal Bikeway runs along both sides and is easily accessible from Buzzards Bay Recreation Area on the mainland side or Tidal Flats Recreation Area along the cape. Near the middle of the canal, observe native wildlife at Herring Run Recreation Area and whales and dolphins in the canal. Check out summer events including the Falmouth Road Race in August and youth sailing programs at Onset Bay Center.
The Chesapeake & Delaware (C&D) Canal flows 14 miles connecting the Delaware River to the Chesapeake Bay and Port of Baltimore. Extending 450 feet wide, the waterway is one of the busiest industrial canals in America and is a vital link to the ICW. Its construction created a 300-mile shortcut around the Delmarva Peninsula on the route between Wilmington or Philadelphia on the Delaware River and Baltimore on the Chesapeake Bay.
The birth of the C&D Canal began with settler Augustine Herman’s vision to connect Delaware and Maryland’s two bodies of water during the 17th century. What began as only 66 feet wide and 10 feet deep was largely expanded through the 1920s and 1930s. The canal’s five vehicle bridges and one railroad bridge are now operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Embark on sunset cruises, craft beer and wine tastings and sightseeing tours with Chesapeake City Water Tours. Transient dockage along the canal includes Delaware City Marina, Summit North Marina Lums Pond State Park and Bohemia Bay Yacht Harbor on the west end.
Linking the charming towns of Delaware City and Chesapeake City, the canal offers a tranquil escape with scenic nature preserves, cozy B&B’s, museums and bike trails along the canal. Visit Chesapeake City’s gardens, historic sites, and the C&D Canal Museum.
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