Woods Hole (passage) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Woods Hole |
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 Woods Hole
Location in Massachusetts
Woods Hole
Location in the United States
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| Coordinates | 41°31′00″N 70°40′58″W / 41.5167755°N 70.6828079°W |
| Part of | Atlantic Ocean |
Woods Hole is a narrow water passage, called a strait, located in Massachusetts. It separates the Elizabeth Islands from the village of Woods Hole on the mainland of Cape Cod. This strait is one of four main passages that allow boats to travel between Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound. The other passages are Canapitsit Channel, Robinson's Hole, and Quick's Hole. People often call this water passage Woods Hole Passage to make sure they are talking about the water and not the village, which shares the same name.
Woods Hole is a natural passage with many rocks. It can be tricky for boats because of shallow, rocky areas along its sides. The water current here is often very strong. It flows between Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound, usually around 4 knots (about 4.6 miles per hour). Sometimes, it can flow as fast as 7 knots (about 8 miles per hour)! On the eastern side, which faces Vineyard Sound, the channel also splits into a southern path known as Broadway. This path flows closer to Nonamesset Island.
What's in a Name?
The exact reason for the strait's name, Woods Hole, is not fully known. Other similar water passages in this area are also called "holes." However, this term is mostly used around Cape Cod and its nearby islands in the U.S. The "Woods" part of the name is also a bit of a mystery. It is thought to come from the name of a Wampanoag person who lived in the area during the 1600s, when English settlers first arrived. It's possible it was named after an early colonist, but it's unlikely to be named after a forest or actual "woods."
