Every harbor has its loyal fans, and nothing stirs up friendly rivalries quite like our annual “Best Harbor” contest. This year, boaters from across the country showed just how much their harbors mean to them, casting a record number of votes for over 220 harbors from the Pacific Northwest to Eastport, Maine. In the end it was the boaters, fishermen, and paddleboarders from Block Island, RI, who showed the greatest enthusiasm for their home waters, helping Block Island take home the top honor for the second year in a row.
What was striking about this year’s competition was not only the winners—three new harbors cracked the top 10, in addition to frequent runners-up such as Bristol, RI, and Gloucester, MA—but the passion that our users voiced for their favorite harbor. “It’s home to me,” said Amy O. about Padanaram, South Dartmouth, Massachusetts. “It’s beautiful, tranquil, and brings people together. It’s a piece of heaven.”
And in Roche Harbor, Washington, which took home the Pacific Regional Winner award: “If you have never been to Roche Harbor, you owe it to yourself to check it out,” wrote Arnie H., a US Harbors member and publisher of Best4Boats. “This former company town has been converted from an industrial site to a world-class boating destination and resort.”
