$1,633,687Average Value$895Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Monomoscoy Island offers a more serene Cape Cod lifestyle
Though most Cape Cod visitors know Hyannis, Sandwich and Provincetown well, most have never heard of Monomoscoy Island. Connected to the town of Mashpee by a paved causeway, the island was once home to the Wampanoag people. Now it serves as a haven for retirees, summer visitors and long-time cape residents. Not many tourists venture to the island relative to the rest of the cape, and the ones that do often visit the area by bike. Most residents own boats, which are moored at private docks around the island — boat travel is often the preferred mode of transportation. Locals can spend their days exploring the ponds, rivers and wildlife refuges that surround their narrow island.
Monomoscoy Island is a large peninsula that jets out to Waquoit Bay.
Boating is a way of life for Monomoscoy Island residents.
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Exploring the Waquoit Bat beaches
Boaters can easily access all the beaches along Waquoit Bay. Callie’s Beach, on the eastern edge of the bay, is a popular spot for windsurfing or just strolling through the soft, white sand. Explorers head to the shores of Washburn Island, along the bay’s western side. “The military used to do amphibious training exercises there during World War II. There are old skeletons of wrecked vehicles — you can only get there by boat,” says Jamie Regan, the senior vice president of the Regan Southwest Group with Compass Osterville, who lives on Monomoscoy Island. Some people also take day trips to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket for a change of pace, he says. Families can visit the Cape Cod Children’s Museum year-round. The museum is around 3 miles from the island, and it features interactive exhibits that educate kids about the history and culture of Cape Cod.
Monomoscoy Island go to Callies Beach to windsurf.
Monomoscoy Island children love playing with the Cape Cod Children's Museum exhibits.
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From cottages to dream homes on Monomoscoy Island
The island used to be covered in small summer cottages, but most have been replaced with sturdily built homes designed for year-round living. There are three-bedroom contemporary beach cabins and cedar-shingled Cape Cods, as well as grand, custom-built residences with side gables overlooking the water, expansive stone patios and large docks. Not many houses come on the market — most stay within families for generations. Recent sales have included an inland cottage for around $800,000 and a two-bedroom waterfront home for $2 million. Homeowners maintain their own septic systems and get water from the town of Mashpee.
Small beach cottages can be found throughout the Monomoscoy Island neighborhood.
Grand custom-built residents have replaced many of the older cottages on Monomoscoy Island.
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Staying busy in summer on Cape Cod
Summer months bring a flurry of activities and events to the cape. There are Independence Day fireworks displays and parades spread out over the month of July — Mashpee usually holds its celebration closer to the end of the month. The Barnstable County Fair is the crowning event of the summer, and crowds flock to the fairgrounds, about 6 miles from the island, where they can savor funnel cake, pet furry farm animals and watch daredevil acts. The Mashpee Recreation Department also offers a variety of adult clinics, from horseback riding to pickleball, allowing adults to stay active. In December, year-round residents decorate their boats and use them as floats for the Season of Illumination Parade, which passes through Mashpee Commons.
Monomoscoy Island try and get a hole-in-one at Mashpee Mini Golf.
Monomoscoy Island residents become one with nature on the trails at Jehu Pond Conservation Area.
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Shopping in Mashpee Commons
Mild winters mean that residents can grow their own fresh vegetables. “I’ve had the same kale plants for years. We don’t get much snow,” Regan says. “I’ve also won a few blue ribbons at the Barnstable County Fair for growing tomatoes.” Locals are also just 4 miles from Mashpee Commons, a walkable retail area. There, shoppers can browse Vineyard Vines, Williams Sonoma and The Black Dog General Store for housewares and clothing. Mashpee Fresh Market and Roche Bros. carry a full range of groceries. The commons also has a mix of casual and upscale eateries, including Estia, which offers Greek food, and Bleu, which specializes in French cuisine. Cooke’s Seafood is about a half mile from Mashpee Commons. “They have fantastic seafood, and their pricing is very reasonable for the cape,” Regan says.
Monomoscoy Island residents shop for colorful dresses at Mashpee Commons.
Monomoscoy Island residents dine at Bleu which specializes in French dishes.
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Boating around Monomoscoy Island
Most homes on Monomoscoy Island border bodies of water — either Hamblin Pond, Little River or Great River — and the majority have docks. “We say that the Boston Whaler is the state bird — locals take their boats everywhere,” Regan says. “There are boating safety courses so kids 12 and up can get a license.” For inland travel, residents have a paved, two-lane road that leads on and off the island. The village of Hyannis is about 15 miles from the island, and it has a seasonal train service to Boston as well as the Cape Cod Gateway Airport.
Boating is a way of life for Monomoscoy Island residents.
Monomoscoy Island residents dock their boat just steps from their backdoor.
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Children can go to Mashpee Public Schools
Children who live year-round on Monomoscoy Island can attend schools within the Mashpee Public Schools district, which earns a B-plus on Niche. Elementary students begin at B-plus-rated Kenneth C. Coombs School and then switch to B-rated Quashnet School for third through sixth grades. Mashpee Middle-High School, a combined school that serves seventh through 12th graders, receives a B-plus. Its curriculum includes an emphasis on world languages, including the language of the local Wampanoag tribe.
Monomoscoy Island kids begin their academic studies at K C Coombs School.
Monomoscoy Island students attend Quashnet School which received an overall B grade from Niche.
Monomoscoy Island residents attend
Mashpee Middle-High School from 7th to 12th grade.
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Staying prepared
Island living carries the risk of flooding, which means that many homes will require additional flood insurance. Buyers who are new to the area should familiarize themselves with local building codes and emergency procedures, particularly the Cape Cod Emergency Traffic Plan.
Monomoscoy Island architecture varies greatly from home to home.
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On average, homes in Monomoscoy Island, Mashpee sell after 129 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Monomoscoy Island, Mashpee over the last 12 months is $3,150,000, up 294% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
