The Upper Harbor, Polpis Harbor, Coskata, and Coatue

Quiet, peaceful, serene. These are the words that come to mind when speaking of the Upper Harbor and Coskata. The waters are warm and shallow, perfect for even the smallest children, and the hustle and bustle of other public beaches is a universe away.

The area is a Refuge and a complex ecosystem that features rare habitats of plants and birds. Rolling dunes that cover more than 200 acres and support different associations of bayberry, beach plum, heather, and beach grasses.

Land-ward of Coskata Beach and the Head of the Harbor lies the Cedars; a red cedar savanna and woodland, the largest of its kind in New England. Coskata Woods is a mature maritime oak forest that contains gnarled, wind blown trees. Below the forest canopy are fresh water and salt water swales teeming with hidden wildlife.

The ridges and valleys of The Glades are separated by only a few vertical feet, yet they support plants characteristic of both salt marsh and a maritime shrub land. Coskata Pond itself serves as a nursery for fish, soft shelled clams, and quahogs.

Secluded Polpis Harbor is a refuge for boats and people alike. Very few visitors get the chance to see this serene and idyllic little harbor, which is home to numerous small boats and a variety of marine and bird life. Peaceful and quiet, it epitomizes the “gunkhole” sought by so many cruisers.