$1,551,431Average Value$754Average Price per Sq Ft4Homes For Sale
Marine research in Woods Hole
Woods Hole, unlike some Falmouth villages, is not known for its beaches and quaint summertime life. This Upper Cape village is synonymous with marine research, and deep-sea diving craft, naval vessels and laboratories share the harbor with tall sailing ships. Homeowners value the benefits of the scientific community and the village’s natural beauty. Woods Hole lies at the far southwestern corner of Cape Cod and its hook-shaped Penzance Point peninsula separates Buzzards Bay from the Vineyard Sound. “There are so many different levels to it — that’s what makes Woods Hole so eclectic,” says Jamie Regan, the senior vice president of the Regan Southworth Group with Compass Osterville, who has lived on the cape for more than 40 years. “There’s the science community, some long-time residents and some transient ones, like the interns.” Demand for housing is high and with all the activity coming through the area, parking can be a pain point.
A couple enjoys an afternoon picnick in Woods Hole.
Oceanic discovery is one of the main draws of visiting Woods Hole.
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From whaling to deep-sea exploration
Early settlers used Woods Hole as a farming community, but by the 1800s, whaling became the most profitable industry. Other ventures included the production of fertilizer from bat guano and menhaden. Along the Bar Neck wharf, where sailing ships once moored to deliver whalebones and guano, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute buildings now stand. The naturally deep waters of the harbor behind the institution allow scientists to test new equipment and prepare for deep-sea missions. Residents can attend lecture series and events to meet scientists from around the globe. WHOI also has a repair facility that employs welders and other skilled tradesmen, making it one of the area’s biggest employers. The Steamship Authority, which runs a ferry service to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, is another major employer. “There always traffic going back and forth to the islands,” Regan says.
Dozens of boats rest on the shores of Woods Hole.
A local boat tour passes through the shores of Woods Hole
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Parks
Aside from the marine science aspects of the community, there are several recreation areas to visit. Falmouth’s Sea to Shining Sea Bikeway begins in Woods Hole, and bikers can pedal along more than 10 miles of paved paths through cranberry bogs, up the coast and through several Falmouth villages. At the northern edge of Woods Hole is the Knob, a small, rocky peninsula known for its sunset views. Those who live along Gosnold Road can walk to Stoney Beach, along Buzzards Bay. Its sandy shore gives parents a place to relax while their kids search for sea creatures or try snorkeling between the jetties. Residents who live down Church Street are closer to Nobska Beach, beside the Nobska Lighthouse. With just a few parking spots at the lighthouse, it can be challenging to access, however. The Woods Hole Science Aquarium lies at the end of Water Street. Away from the crowds on Water Street is the Woods Hole Park, with a shaded walking trail, tennis court and a playground. Woods Hole Golf Club has an 18-hole course, but “you’ve got to be on the list for a couple of generations to join,” Regan says. “Newcomers might be able to play as a guest.” Those looking for a golf club to join can try Willowbend, about 15 miles away in Mashpee, he says.
A local resident works on his foot juggling in Woods Hole Park.
Sea to Shining Sea Bikeway in Woods Hole offers paved trails for bikers.
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Falmouth Road Race and the Woods Hole Film Festival
In addition to lectures at WHOI, events in Woods Hole often bring an influx of tourists to the village. Each August, the long-running Falmouth Road Race begins just south of Eel Pond. Though the 7-mile race itself just takes place for a few hours in the morning and “by one in the afternoon, it doesn’t even look like people were there,” Regan says, participants visit Falmouth from far and wide to compete. The Cape Cod Marathon also makes its way through Woods Hole, and at the end of June each year, the week-long Woods Hole Film Festival holds screenings at the Swope Center and other village auditoriums. Year-round residents attend the annual Woods Hole May Festival, where kids dance around the maypole and compete in egg toss competitions. There are also regular contra dance and folk dance meetups at the Woods Hole Community Hall on Water Street throughout the off season.
Dining with views of Great Harbor or Eel Pond
Hungry scientists, tourists and ferry riders have allowed a number of restaurants and businesses to thrive in the small village. Along Water Street, cedar-shingled former sea captains’ homes now house souvenir and candy shops, package stores and restaurants. Pie in the Sky Bakery & Café, at the crest of Water Street, serves house-roasted coffee and popovers. People can stop by the Woods Hole Market & General Store to pick up ingredients, and some patrons order lobster rolls or fresh-baked pizza and eat them on the back deck overlooking Eel Pond. One of the village’s most notable dining areas is Landfall, which has views of the boats in Great Harbor. It was constructed in 1946 with parts from sailing ships and arched windows from historic Woods Hole residences. Buoys and lobster pots hang from the rafters, donated by local fishermen. For special occasions, people head to the Water Street Kitchen, known for its upscale farm-to-table dining. When homeowners need to stock up on groceries or other household essentials, they drive into Teaticket, about 6 miles north, where there is a Stop & Shop. There are more shopping and dining options in Hyannis, about 25 miles away.
The Landfall Restaurant in Woods hole has an eclectic nautical interior.
Many dining options in Woods hole offer views of the water.
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Competitive housing market in Woods Hole
The real estate market in Woods Hole is quite competitive, as many homes remain in families for generations. Cedar-sided Queen Annes, Foursquares and Shingle-style homes rest at the end of narrow private driveways. Lots tend to be around a quarter to a half acre and include space for septic systems. Recent sales for homes built between the early-to-mid 1900s were priced between $800,000 and $1 million. There are a few residences which were built after 2000, and these often include historic elements such as gambrels and widow’s walks to blend in with their neighbors. These may sell between $1.7 million and $2.1 million. In some portions of Woods Hole, prices tend to be much higher. “On Penzance Point, it’s the crème de la crème,” Regan says. “You could win the lottery and still not be able to afford those houses.” Multiacre estates on Penzance Point and residences on large plots along Buzzards Bay rarely come on the market, but when they do, prices sometimes fall between $11 million and $13.5 million. Several parts of Woods Hole are at risk of flooding and some homebuyers may need to purchase flood insurance.
Seaside homes hug the nearby beach of Woods Hole.
Woods Hole offers a variety of different styles of architecture.
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Green ribbon school district and the highly-rated Falmouth Academy
Families that live in Woods Hole year-round may send their children to Falmouth Public Schools. In 2024, the district was honored by U.S. Department of Education as a green ribbon school district. Schools in the district partner with nearby scientific research facilities, including the Marine Biological Laboratory and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, to give students a deeper understanding of the wildlife and waterways around their home. In preschool through fourth grade, kids may begin their learning at Mullen-Hall Elementary School, which receives a B on Niche. Morse Pond School, with an A-minus rating, serves children in fifth and sixth grades. In seventh and eighth grades, students can transition to the B-rated Lawrence School. Falmouth High School earns an A-minus. Some students choose to attend the private Falmouth Academy for seventh through 12th grades. Niche rates it an A-plus and ranks it as the No.1 private high school in Barnstable County. Continuing learning opportunities in Woods Hole include internships at WHOI in conjunction with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and learning opportunities at the Marine Biological Laboratory through the University of Chicago.
Lawrence School got a B+ in the academics category from Niche.
Cheer on the Falmouth Clippers at Falmouth High School
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Getting to and from Woods Hole
Though Woods Hole’s harbor sees a constant influx of vessels, boating is not the main form of transportation for most residents. “I’m a pretty proficient boater, but it’s tough to navigate the area with all the currents,” Regan says. “There are some pretty unforgiving rocks.” Some boat owners moor their boats in Eel Pond and can sail through to Great Harbor when the drawbridge is up, but the spaces there are limited. “There’s a long wait to get a spot,” Regan says. The main road in and out of the village is Woods Hole Road, a tree-lined, two-lane road, which can lead drivers toward Hyannis or Boston, 25 and 76 miles away, respectively. As parking is notoriously challenging to find in Woods Hole, most homeowners leave their cars in their driveways and walk or bike when traveling around the village. Ferries run to and from Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket throughout the year. There is a seasonal WHOOSH trolley service, operated by the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority, that takes people to and from Falmouth Village. CCRTA also has a year-round bus service with a stop in Woods Hole. In Hyannis, there is a small commercial airport with flights into Boston, New York and Washington, D.C.
A ferry headed for Marthas Vineyard is about to set sea in Woods Hole.
Woods Hole offers busses that head directly to and from the ferry.
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Woods Hole, MA sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Woods Hole, MA over the last 12 months is $1,875,000, up 45% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Woods Hole furnished rental. This modern home was built in 2024 with attention to detail & high-end finishes. Enjoy the proximity to Woods Hole Village offering world class restaurants, artisan shopping, boating, fishing, and tennis. Spend time exploring Martha's Vineyard, the ferry is a short distance from this home. Also close by is the Woods Hole entrance to the Shining Sea Bike Path a
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