Canapitsit Channel is a channel that runs from Cuttyhunk Harbor to the Vineyard Sound and separates Nashawena Island from Cuttyhunk Island, two of the Elizabeth Islands off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It is one of four straits allowing maritime passage between Buzzards Bay and the Vineyard Sound. The others are Quick's Hole, Robinson's Hole and Woods Hole. Canapitsit is an Indian word meaning "current passage".

Canapitsit Channel
Canapitsit Channel is located in Massachusetts
Canapitsit Channel
Canapitsit Channel
Location of Canapitsit Channel within Massachusetts
Canapitsit Channel is located in the United States
Canapitsit Channel
Canapitsit Channel
Canapitsit Channel (the United States)
Coordinates41°25′24″N 70°54′28″W / 41.4234412°N 70.9078122°W / 41.4234412; -70.9078122[1]
Part ofAtlantic Ocean

Strong tidal currents (up to 6 knots) separate the islands from each other. The currents are driven by the different sizes and filling rates of Vineyard Sound to the southeast and Buzzards Bay to the northwest.

One Cuttyhunk Island website offers the following boating advisory:

DO NOT use Canapitsit Channel, which separates Cuttyhunk from Nashawena Island, without local knowledge. The channel is narrow, rocky and subject to strong currents making the passage dangerous.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Canapitsit Channel". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2018-08-10.
  2. ^ "Cuttyhunk.net - Cuttyhunk Island, MA 02713". Archived from the original on 2007-02-12. Retrieved 2006-12-26.