Charting Our Course

Packet boats – A Cape Cod Tradition on the Water

Step aboard the Packet boat, our Wellfleet shuttle boat inspired by the historic “packet boats” that once carried people, mail, and goods across harbors and bays. In the 1700s and 1800s, these boats were more than transportation — they were community lifelines. Farmers, fishermen, merchants, and families often shared the same deck, while letters, supplies, and news traveled back and forth on dependable schedules. Before newspapers and telegraphs were common, packet boats brought the latest word from Boston, New York, and nearby towns. They were gathering places where neighbors swapped stories, business, and gossip, and every crossing helped knit the community closer together. Today, the Packet boat carries on that spirit of connection, offering guests a chance to experience the harbor the way travelers once did: by sea.

Whether you’re setting out for a quick ride across the harbor, venturing out to Jeremy Point, heading off on a seal-spotting adventure, or simply taking in the beauty of Cape Cod Bay, the Packet boat combines timeless maritime tradition with modern comfort. For those who’d like to linger on the sand, we can provide packed lunches, beach chairs, and umbrellas — everything you need to turn your trip into a carefree day by the water. You book it, we Packet for you.