Casting his line into Apponagansett Bay, Luke Medeiros reminisced about his time growing up in Dartmouth, catching scup, tautog, dogfish and fluke along Knowles Beach.

For Medeiros, the harbor is one of the best places to be in Dartmouth. And apparently, he’s not alone. 

The town’s beloved harbor has once again been named in the U.S. Harbors list for the best in the United States — this time taking third, the organization announced at the end of June. For the last six years, Americans across the country have been allotted one vote each to choose what they believe to be the best among over 1,500 harbors.

And Padanaram Harbor now racked up somewhat of a track record for being among the best.

Back in 2019, during the first ever run of the contest, Padanaram was chosen as the overall grand winner and then again in 2022. In 2020, the harbor fell to third before claiming the title of best in the Northeast in 2021. No contest was held in 2023. This is now the second year in row, the harbor has taken third place in the country.

Rhode Island shined through this year with Block Island and Bristol taking first and second place, respectively.

Medeiros said since he was a young boy, the village itself has seen a number of changes: The concrete slab that once served as a parking lot is now known as Farm & Coast Market. His favorite corner store to stock up on fishing supplies and looking at historic photos of the harbor has since left and is now the location for Strawberry Moon. 

But despite these and other changes, he said the character and peacefulness of the harbor remains and he urges everyone to “just take care of it together.”

Stretched out on Knowles Beach, residents Monica Melo and Aaliyah Pacheco enjoyed lunch and the warm sun.

Melo said she loves the quiet this particular Dartmouth beach provides and to “just to be surrounded by the boats.”

Pacheco noted she also appreciates how open the space is.

“This is where I come to decompress and be with my thoughts,” Melo said. “I watch the waves and I eat.”

With a laugh she noted that surprisingly, there are no seagulls trying to steal her food.

Both women agreed the tranquility of the harbor makes it the perfect place to  relax, read, listen to music and be with themselves.

Shannon Jenkins and her husband Doug often walk along the beach with Caroyln Dailey and their dog Ellie, an 11-year-old Doberman-mix.

Having moved to town in 2004, Shannon said she’s been able to truly appreciate the different aspects the harbor has to offer.

“It’s a nice little village right here where you can go to a bunch of shops, a bunch of restaurants, but also be right on the ocean — walk your dog. There’s little trails right by the ocean. There’s nice sidewalks. So it’s just a really nice place to be outside,” she said.

Her hangups? “Sometimes the bridge gets stuck, but that’s about it.”

It is true the bridge is in need of repair. Dartmouth is currently working with the state on design plans for a new bridge, which the state is funding. The construction timeline and funding are still uncertain.Officials noted it may be a risk to the town to wait for state funding due the bridge’s current condition.

Beyond the bridge and beach, hundreds of boats dot the harbor’s waters every day and over the July 12 and 13 weekend, about 250 kids sailed out into Buzzards Bay for the annual New Bedford Yacht Club Junior Regatta. In the meantime, Amanda Mauretti, whose 16-year-old son was off competing with them, spent her time along the harbor.

Though she now lives in Fall River, Mauretti said she grew up in Westport going to Horseneck and often visited Apponagansett Beach. 

Looking out at Padanaram Harbor, she said, “It’s picturesque. It’s quiet. It’s emblematic of New England.”

“There’s a lot of history here, so I’m always grateful that I grew up in this part of Massachusetts because it feels like a hidden gem,” Mauretti added. “Unless you drive through, you wouldn’t necessarily know what we’re here and we kind of like it that way.”