Plum Island and the Parker River Refuge
Newburyport, MA
(30 miles northeast of Boston via Route 128 North to Route 1A North)

Plum Island is located on the North Shore of Massachusetts about 30 miles from Boston. It is a small coastal community that blends typical New England charm with the opportunity to bird-watch and hike on a protected national refuge. Plum Island offers an interesting day trip for those in the Boston area -- one replete with all the usual beach-like amenities plus a chance for the naturalist in your group to do some exploring.

The Beach
Plum Island’s beaches are pretty standard fare for the Massachusetts shore. Predominantly populated by families with children, the orange-tinted sand is slightly coarse and shell-collecting opportunities are rare. There are lifeguard stations located every few hundred feet -- though on a visit in late June we were unable to verify that each one was attended. Parking here is simple and, in comparison to beaches such as Crane’s, inexpensive. Lots are scattered throughout the main Plum Island strip and usually cost less than $10.

Come prepared! We recommend bringing your own lunch and beverages to Plum Island. Though there are a few seafood joints and old-fashioned convenient stores in the area, they are not easily accessible from all points. On a recent trip, we found ourselves walking on the hot pavement for too long in search of a cool drink.

The Refuge
The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is a 4,662-acre site best known for its bird-watching opportunities. It occupies the southern two-thirds of Plum Island and is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge welcomes visitors daily from sunrise to sunset; admission is charged for all entering by vehicle, bike or even by foot. Home to 800-plus species of plant and animal life, Parker River’s most renowned resident is the Piping Plover, a small sandpiper-like bird that was named a protected species in 1986. When the plover is nesting, the refuge’s beaches are closed and certain areas unavailable to visitors. This period usually ends by late July.

We at The Insider find biking to be the best mode of transportation to enjoy the refuge. While walking may not get you too far in one trip, driving a car through the area seems awkward and somehow inappropriate. If you do choose to drive, however, lots throughout the refuge allow you to park and set off on a nature trail by foot. We also advise you to bring both sunscreen and insect repellent to the refuge; gnats are found in large quantities, especially by the marshes, early in the summer and greenheads often become fierce by August.

Though impressive for its preservation of area wildlife, Parker River is not for everyone and holds the most interest for ornithologists. More than 302 different species of birds have been spotted on the refuge over the past 20 years, including varieties of swans, herons, vultures, pheasant, gulls and woodpeckers. Wood-planked "trails" make for good, non-challenging hikes. While there does exist the occasional deer sighting, for the most part Parker River may not hold much interest for those not intent on bird watching.

Pamphlets on the birds’ migrations are available as is information on beach status and the autumn plum picking. Also note that there is a visitor capacity at the refuge. For this reason, we recommend that you arrive early during peak season, or be prepared to spend the day at the beach instead.

By Air or By Sea
If you are not content to experience Plum Island simply on the beach or at the refuge, you have at least two adventurous alternatives. First, the airport (called Plum Island Aerodrome) runs scenic air tours over the area in small four-seater planes on Saturdays and Sundays from May through November. Fifteen- to sixty-minute rides are available for up to three adults. Prices start at about $30 (for one adult for 15 minutes). Your pilot will point out attractions such as lighthouses, famous beaches, historic buildings and mountain ranges.

Plum Island Airport is located on Plum Island Turnpike as you approach the water (you can’t miss it) and can be reached by phone at (978) 463-42222. It is worth noting that the airport is a not-for-profit organization and counts on donations and the income from flights to keep the airfield open. To learn more about what's happening, check out their blog.

While braving a small-plane, island-by-air tour is certainly something to write home about, we can’t recommended it for the faint of heart! Those visitors looking for something different but not quite as daring may want to consider joining one of the "Captain’s Fishing Parties," all-day, half-day and evening excursions run from Plum Island Point. In addition to fishing parties, this company offers private group charters, cruises, and ever-popular dinner cruises. For more information, call 1-800-427-1333 or check out their FAQs.

by Allyson Krieger

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