Stellwagen Marine Sanctuary

This National Marine Sanctuary consists of 7 different visitor centers, museums, and aquariums in Massachusetts.

Located just East of Boston, Massachusetts, this is the only national animal sanctuary in New England. This sanctuary follows right along the Massachusetts coastline and is one of only 13 sanctuaries in the country. It has been open since 1942 and has visitor centers, aquariums, and museums to discover. One of the most common attractions within this sanctuary is whale watching. The whale watching site is one of the top ten whale-watching sites in the world, and about one million people come to watch the whales every year. As a sanctuary, it supports ecosystems and lends support to endangered marine animals. You will see three whale species, including the Atlantic right whale, humpback whale, and finback whale.

Whales aren’t the only wildlife creature that can be seen here. This is a great spot to go fishing. However, due to a decrease in fish populations, there are rules and regulations in place that protect some specific fish species.  Many people also come to the sanctuary to see the various birds, making it a great spot for bird watchers to enjoy. Some of the other things to do at the sanctuary include boating, diving, and marine animal research.