Hours and Directions

Front Desk & Delivery Hours

In the off season, we are generally available for deliveries and phone calls on weekdays from 9am-3pm. Note that in winter, our building is closed to the public and we cannot generally answer questions in person. Thank you for your understanding.

Program Hours

Adult Program

2025 Season Weekdays Weekends
April 1 – June 15 1:00 pm to sunset 9:00 am to sunset
June 16 – August 22* 3:00 pm to sunset 9:00 am to sunset
August 23 – October 31 1:00 pm to sunset 9:00 am to sunset

*The Adult Program will be closed on Thursday July 3rd and Friday July 4th

Rentals

2025 Season Weekdays Weekends
April 1 – June 15 1:00 pm to 30 minutes before sunset 9:00 am to 30 minutes before sunset
June 16 – August 22* 3:00 pm to 30 minutes before sunset 9:00 am to 30 minutes before sunset
August 23 – October 31 1:00 pm to 30 minutes before sunset 9:00 am to 30 minutes before sunset

All rentals must be off the water 30 minutes before sunset.

*Rentals will be closed on Thursday July 3rd and on Friday July 4th

Junior Summer Program

2025 Season Weekdays Weekends
June 16 – August 22* 8:30am to 3:00pm Closed

*The Junior Program will be closed on Friday July 4th

Universal Access Program

2025 Season Weekdays Weekends
TBD – June 15 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
June 16 – August 22* 10:30 am to 6:00 pm 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
August 23 – TBD 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm 10:00 am to 5:30 pm

*The Universal Access Program will close early on Thursday July 3rd and be closed on Friday July 4th

 

Map & Directions

The easiest way to get to Community Boating is via public transportation; we are conveniently located a short walk from the Red Line. There is no vehicle access at the boathouse, but discounted parking on Charles Circle is available on evenings and weekends. Vehicle drop-off is also available on or near Charles Circle, including the 15-minute zone in front of CVS.

Mass Transit: From North or South of Boston

If coming from the north or south, take the Red Line to Charles/MGH Station. When you exit the station, cross Cambridge Street to your left toward the CVS, then cross Charles Street immediately to your right. You will see the Fanny Appleton footbridge straight ahead and to the right. As you cross over the footbridge towards the Esplanade, you will see the Community Boating boathouse to your left. At the bottom of the ramp, bear right towards Community Boating. (Est. walk time: 5-7 minutes)

Mass Transit: From the West

If coming from the west, take the Green Line to Arlington Station. Follow the station exit signs to the Boston Public Garden. Walk four blocks down Arlington Street towards Beacon Street (the Boston Public Garden should be across the street from you on your right). Cross Beacon Street towards the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge. As you cross the footbridge towards the Esplanade, you will see the Hatch Memorial Shell to your right. At the bottom of the ramp, walk towards the Hatch Shell. After you pass the Hatch Shell, Community Boating will be several hundred feet away on your left. (Est. walk time: 10-15 minutes)

Parking (no vehicles at the boathouse)

Only authorized vehicles are allowed on the esplanade!

Parking is available at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary parking lot located next to the Liberty Hotel and adjacent to the Red Line Charles/MGH circle from 5PM or later on weekdays and all day on weekends. Purchase parking validation at CBI’s Front Desk during operating hours: $9 with presentation of parking ticket, time stamped within times listed above.

  • Enter the Charles Street circle following signs for Storrow Drive West. You will see the on-ramp for Storrow Drive West
  • Do not go up the ramp, but instead look to the left for a large white sign that says “Mass General Brigham Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary Parking”
  • Walk out of the parking lot the same way you came in, heading towards Charles Street
  • Cross under the train station, and to the right you will see a footbridge
  • Take the footbridge over Storrow Drive and towards the Charles River
  • At the end of the ramp bear right at the fork
  • Make a right on the esplanade path and Community Boating will be about 200 feet immediately to your left
Driving: From Memorial Drive or Cambridge

Follow signs for Downtown Boston/Government Center across the Charles River via the Longfellow Bridge to the stop lights in Boston. Enter the Charles Street circle and follow directions in Parking, above.

Driving: From North or South of Boston

Take I-93 into Boston. Take Exit 18 to Storrow Drive West. Take your first left exit off Storrow Drive (for Government Center). Upon entering the offramp, to your immediate left, you will see the Storrow Drive entrance to the Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary parking lot.

Driving: From West of Boston (Storrow Drive)

While on Storrow Drive eastbound, follow signs for Downtown Boston. After passing the Hatch Shell on your left (the large half dome), take the right exit off Storrow Drive for Government Center. Enter the Charles Street circle and follow directions in Parking, above.

Boathouse Address (only authorized vehicles on the Esplanade)

21 David G. Mugar Way Boston, MA 02114

The GPS coordinates for the boathouse are:
Degrees-Minutes: 42° 21.59′ N, 71° 04.39′ W
Decimal Degrees Latitude, Longitude: 42.3599, -71.0730