There’s nothing like a cone of ice cream on a hot summer day—except maybe getting that cone by boat. If you’re cruising around Cape Cod and craving something sweet, you’re in luck. From buzzed-about creameries tucked into working harbors to old-school scoop shops just steps from the dock, the Cape is dotted with spots where you can tie up and treat yourself. Here are some of our favorite places to grab an ice cream by boat around Cape Cod.
Smitty’s Homemade Ice Cream — Falmouth Harbor
Pull into Falmouth Harbor and you’re just a short walk from Smitty’s Homemade Ice Cream, a local favorite for decades. Their classic scoops—think Black Raspberry, Coconut, and Peanut Butter Oreo—taste like pure summer. There’s a small public dock in the harbor, and if you’re staying overnight, Falmouth Marine or MacDougalls are both walkable. Bonus: Smitty’s stays open late, so it’s a perfect post-sunset cruise stop.
Cape Cod Creamery — Hyannis Harbor
Hyannis Harbor has plenty of dock space and plenty of reasons to stop, but one of the tastiest is Cape Cod Creamery. Located just a short walk up the road from the town docks (or from Hyannis Marina), this place serves super-premium, ultra-creamy ice cream with fun Cape-themed names like Dennis Double Chocolate and Barnstable Brownie. Grab a cone, stroll the harborfront, and watch the ferries roll in.
Ice Cream Sandwich — Sandwich Marina
Right on the Cape Cod Canal, the Sandwich Marina is a great boating stop—and just across the street is the beloved Ice Cream Sandwich, which offers homemade small-batch flavors, plus a wild variety of sundaes and milkshakes. It’s casual, it’s quirky, and the portions are generous. Bonus points for the waffle cone dipped in chocolate and rainbow sprinkles.
Lewis Brothers Homemade Ice Cream — Provincetown Harbor
Sailing into Provincetown? Don’t miss Lewis Brothers, just a short walk from MacMillan Pier. Their homemade ice cream is rich, creamy, and made right on site. Try the Espresso Crunch or the Ginger — or go full New England with Maple Walnut. Strolling Commercial Street with a cone in hand just hits differently after a day on the water.
Katie’s Ice Cream — Orleans (via Nauset Marine East)
This one takes a little planning, but it’s worth the extra effort. If you’re boating in Pleasant Bay or along Nauset Harbor, head toward Nauset Marine East, where transient dockage is sometimes available. From there, it’s a short Uber or bike ride to Katie’s in downtown Orleans, one of the Cape’s most celebrated scoop shops. The ice cream is dense, creative, and locally loved. Their Mud Pie sundae is downright dangerous.
Four Seas Ice Cream — Centerville (via Wequaquet Lake)
This one’s a bit off the salt water, but if you’re lucky enough to be boating on Wequaquet Lake (freshwater access only), dock at the public ramp and hop in a golf cart or cruiser bike for a short ride to Four Seas. This old-school spot has been scooping since 1934 and serves some of the best frozen pudding and peach ice cream you’ll ever taste.