Beth Ann Charters in Provincetown Massachusetts
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Who We Are

In 2005, Beth Ann Charters was born, offering fishing trips on a small 22 foot boat. Since then we have grown our fleet and expanded our services and become one of the most highly rated charter services on Cape Cod. Fishing, whale watching, kids sea creature tours, romantic evening cruises and more - our goal is to offer something for everyone!

Our experienced team of Captains and mates have one goal in mind - make your charter with us the best thing you, your family and friends ever did on your vacation. So come join us, the ocean is waiting for you!

A Five-Star Experience

Because of our expanded offerings and fleet, we have also enlisted the services of some of the most experienced captains on the outer cape who have over a combined 125 years of sea time on these local waters, which is basically longer than some of our competitors have even been alive! This experienced, mature, personable group of captains will make your experience a five-star one!
People sitting on the bow of the Beth Ann

Our Boats

Beth Ann

The Beth Ann is a 38-foot long Wesmac Downeaster, one of the most solid boats produced in Maine, the Downeast boat capital of the world. Because of her wide beam, almost 13 feet, she is a very stable, non rocking and rolling vessel, and gives our customers outstanding space for fishing and relaxing.

The spacious deck has ample room for up to six anglers without bumping elbows, a bait well for live bait, and a tuna door for when we need to pull “the big one” into the boat! The enclosed cabin has a comfortable settee to starboard, a complete gallery to port, a dual front passenger helm seat, and a large head below. The aft windows of the cabin also fold up to allow easy conversation between those fishing in the back and those relaxing up front. Topside is a full bridge, with seating for five, which provides our customers with a great view when steaming to and from the fishing grounds.

For power, a Caterpillar C-12 acert clean Diesel engine with over 700 horsepower propels us to almost 30 knots when we need to get somewhere fast! Beth Ann also has a complete suite of Garmin electronics, including radar, GPS, and a fishfinder, along with autopilot and redundant vhf radios. Of course we also have all the required safety gear, along with both adult and children's life jackets, and get annual Coast Guard safety inspections.
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Bethie docked at a marina

Bethie

Bethie, our newest vessel, is a 29-foot classic Cape Cod bay vessel. Dyers have been produced since 1930 and other than the fiberglass hull, are completely hand made. The employees at Dyer average 30 years of service, and most are descendants of old Portuguese boat builders. Attention to detail and perfection are keywords at Dyer, evidenced by the fact that only three Dyers are made every year!
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Captain Rich Wood holding a larged striped bassE For All Cape Cod Accelerator Graduate 2021 Logo

About Captain Rich Wood

Captain Rich Wood has been fishing the waters of Cape Cod Bay and the Atlantic ocean for over fifty years, starting as a little kid fishing with his dad on family vacations, surf casting from the Provincetown and Truro ocean beaches in his twenties and thirties, and then from his recreational saltwater fishing boats in his forties.

In early 2000, Captain Rich and his wife Beth Ann, were fortunate enough to escape the "real world" and moved to Truro year round. It was then they purchased the iconic Nelsons Bait and Tackle, on Race Pt. Road in Provincetown, rescuing it from being shut down by developers. Although the tackle shop was a small one, Captain Rich and Beth felt it was an essential part of Provincetown and Cape Cod fishing history, and felt the right thing to do was to try and carry on its tradition of being the best tackle shop on the outer Cape.

It was also at this time that Captain Rich started Beth Ann Charters, with his last "small" vessel, a 22 foot Grady White. Our reputation of good, fun, successful fishing charters soon led us to purchase our first "real" charter boat, a 28 foot Nauset, a hand made downeast style boat built by Nauset Boats in Orleans, MA. Through a lot of hard work by us and our employees, both the tackle shop and Beth Ann Charters continued to prosper, and our outstanding customers kept coming back for more!

This led to us stepping up to a larger boat in 2011, a 35 foot downeast style Terry Jason, built in the downeast boat building capital of the world, Steuben, Maine. A wider, more stable vessel now gave us more than enough room for all our customers and crew.

In 2018 we stepped up to a beautiful 38’ Wesmac Downeaster, known as the Cadillac of Maines downeast boat manufacturers. The Wesmac gives you even more fishing space, beautiful inside, sheltered accommodations, a full galley, a spacious head and a bridge deck which has seating for five. See below for some detailed pictures of this top notch vessel.

In 2021, due to increased interest in all of our trips, but especially our sunset trips, we acquired a 29 foot Dyer, a classic Cape Cod bay style boat manufactured in Rhode Island. This vessel also has a stand-up head, seating for six and a bluetooth stereo system.
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  • Kacie B.

    If you're wanting an up close, life changing experience, THIS IS THE BOAT FOR YOU!!! Captain Rich got the boat in a position where the whales were breaching literally 30 feet away from us! Being in a small boat allowed for a more intimate experience, and I will never forget our trip. My husband and I were the only ones on the boat, and my husband doesn't really care for the ocean. After this trip, he's now a fan! We saw so many whales I lost count. It was a JOYOUS experience! I could not recommend him more!

  • Tammi S.

    We went deep sea fishing today and there are no words! We caught so many fish and Capt Rich and Reese were awesome and so friendly! I’ve waited years to go on the Beth Ann and it DID not disappoint! I HIGHLY recommend this charter!

  • D.R.

    Absolutely fantastic "Fun in the Sun" cruise with Captain Rich! We had many requests - going all the way into Wellfleet Harbor along the expansive, beautiful Wellfleet coastline was a must. We also cruised Truro then Long Point, Wood End, and Herring Cove in Provincetown. Rich was wonderfully accommodating and helpful. We all had a blast, and we will absolutely cruise with him again.

    Important: we were a little leery of going out on a boat that does fishing trips. The top deck is super comfortable and pretty. No fish smells anywhere. :-)

  • Jess B.

    We had an amazing “Kids Creature Cruise” with Rich! Rich took us around to see the lighthouses, the seals, a little fishing, and we got to pull up a lobster trap and see a couple lobsters and crabs up close. Our 3 year loved every second (and we did too). Will definitely book another cruise in the future as our little dude grows up. Couldn’t be happier!

  • A.C.

    Not just for fishing! We went out on the Beth Ann with Capt Rich for a "Fun in the Sun" custom cruise. We asked to see Wellfleet coastline and go into Wellfleet harbor. He took us ALL the way in! We cruised the Truro coastline and also Long Point, Wood End, Boy Beach, and Herring Cove in Provincetown. Rich was not only accommodating but fun to be with. The top deck of the Beth Ann is fantastic - cushioned seating for 6 with excellent views. Highly recommended!

  • Alice D.

    We had the best time on the Bethie! The 2.5 hr fishing trip was perfect for myself and my fiance! He has some fishing experience and I have absolutely none, and we both had a blast and caught lots of fish!! Rhys was great and answered all of my questions. Such a fun unique experience, we will be back!

  • Barb C.

    What a great experience—highly recommend! Rhys and Ben are fish whisperers, everyone caught fish and we even had some fillets for later. Thanks for a great trip!

  • Ashley D.

    What’s great way to be on the Ocean! Booked a combo trip and Captain Rich put us on some big fish, and up close viewing of whales all around us. Loved that we could book a Charter with just our family, felt very personable and accommodating. The boat is also very spacious and comfortable. The views are spectacular. Our teenagers even got some good boat napping in. And eating our catch an hour after getting off the boat is as fresh as it gets!

  • Phil D.

    Zach and Rich were great! The whole family came out including my young nephew. They helped him reel in 2 fish twice his size!!!

  • Elsie

    This whale watch was a birthday present and it was all that I'd hoped it would be. Captain Rich got us literally in the middle of a pod of humpbacks. Truly -- everywhere you turned there were more spouts. Some solo, some side-by-side -- at least one set of three in synchrony. We could actually smell them!. And could see the white of their flippers under the water. Some came as close as 20 feet from the boat. Gorgeous and glorious.

    The boat size is key. We could look 360 degrees so there was no rushing here and there like on the big boats. One member of our party tends toward seasickness but the smaller boat meant that she had very little.

    Captain Rich even let us steer the boat, explained the technology, and entertained us with stories. It's pricey but that said, only about twice the price per person of the larger commercial watches. And so worth it. I will absolutely do this again!

  • Rick W.

    Whale watching trip with Captain Rich on the Beth Ann, best trip ever. There were so many whales we didn’t know which way to look. He predicted where they would breach numerous times.

  • Donald P

    Captain Wood provided an outstanding experience! On our first ever whale watching experience, we sat in the boat in the middle of about 40 whales all around us. The whales fed, played, slapped their fins, and showed their tales. After leaving the area we moved around to different spots seeing whales all around the area. We even got the opportunity to see a whale breach twice. Additionally, we got the experience of catching a sea bass. Captain Wood’s boat is well maintained, clean, and comfortable. Captain Wood was professional, courteous, friendly, considerate, and knowledgeable. If you’re looking for  a once in a lifetime experience - book with Captain Wood knowing he will take care of you!

  • Rachel G.

    I traveled just over 1200 miles to celebrate my 40th birthday and see whales in their natural habitat off the Stellwagen Bank.  After a miserable experience on a typical tourist style whale watch tour with over 100+ people, we woke up the next morning and made a last minute decision to call and schedule with Beth Ann Charters.  We were lucky to fit into their schedule and truly thankful they made it happen! Captain Rhys and his First Mate Zach did not disappoint.  For two of the youngest we have ever been chartered by, they were definitely professional, entertaining, and good at what they do!  Unfortunately, it was not a day for seeing any Humpback whales, but Rhys and Zach found plenty of Minke whales to watch during the duration of our outing and even a few Grey seals.  The boat ride was smooth, the open ocean was beautiful, and the peaceful and relaxing setting was exactly what we were looking for. It was an experience I won’t soon forget and am thankful to have had the opportunity to spend my day with such a great team!

  • Denise M.

    Truly great experience seeing whales off Provincetown, MA. Beautiful boat, excellent tour given by Rich of Beth Ann Charters. We saw two groups of whales very close up within all environmental guidelines. Our group (four people) had a wonderful time visiting these gorgeous creatures. Highly recommend.

  • Dee H.

    Our trip was a little different from most...we were on the Cape to fulfill our mom's last wishes, to have her ashes returned to the ocean she loved. Captain Rich provided several location options for her "burial at sea". When the time came, he was very discreet and allowed the six of us all the time we needed to say goodbye and compose ourselves before continuing on. We were given the coordinates where we laid her to rest, so we'll always have that reference. It was hard and sad, but the Beth Ann and her crew were the best.

  • Andrea H.

    Our day on the water with Beth Ann Charters was the highlight of our trip. Captain Rich brought myself and my boys (5 and 10) out for a day of whale watching and fishing. Somehow Rich managed to drive the boat and teach us all how to fish at the same time. He could not have been better with the kids. We saw a ton of whales and the boys caught a bunch of fish. A private charter as opposed to the big whale watching boats is well-worth the $!!

  • Jan

    My objective...to have fun in the sun. That was easily achieved. On a boat, on the ocean, in the sun. Seals, fin back whales, and Captain Rich even caught dinner! First time my dog was on a boat and she did great! Even went for a little swim!

  • Sue Z.

    If you’ve ever been on a large whale watching excursion and known the frustration of trying to see around other people, or having to run from one side of the boat to another every time a spout is spotted, this trip is for you! Five of my friends and I took a morning tour and we couldn’t have been more pleased. Rich and Rhys were friendly and fun and it was so awesome to be in the middle of so many whales. Would definitely recommend!

  • Lyn K.

    I've gone out on the Beth Ann with friends who know how to land a fish and friends who have never held a rod - Captain Rich is the master at finding the fish and making sure everyone has a great time. The boat is clean and beautiful and whether you want to find some striped bass or just kick back on your own private whale watch, this is the place to be. Could not recommend it higher!

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