Recommendations on where to drop anchor at Point Judith

Posted 5/12/16

If you are on your way to Block Island or heading Mystic way, after a long cruise down the bay, you might want to stop off in Point Judith for the night.

Coming south from Narragansett Bay, stay …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Recommendations on where to drop anchor at Point Judith

Posted

If you are on your way to Block Island or heading Mystic way, after a long cruise down the bay, you might want to stop off in Point Judith for the night.

Coming south from Narragansett Bay, stay deeper than 80 feet to avoid the fish trap area north of Scarborough. There is a passageway into the Harbor of Refuge on the east marked by a flashing R2 buoy, but if it is foggy, or if you are not too comfortable with your GPS, it may make sense to stay in 30 feet of water and continue around outside the wall to the West Gap where there is a fog horn to guide you in. There is a decent anchorage right in the Harbor of Refuge on the south end between the RG N buoy and the breakwater, if the sea is not too bad. Some missing rocks in the center wall allow a bit of sea action to come in if the waves are high. Also, you need to be ready for some rocking early in the morning as the charter boats head out, not to mention a big wake from the party boats and the ferry.

Instead of anchoring in the Harbor of Refuge, you can continue into the Port of Galilee. You need to understand that Galilee is a working commercial port with boats ranging from day lobster boats to offshore trawlers. There are more commercial boats than docks, and it is a logistical challenge for the port manager, Dan Costa, to balance all this. If you would like to tie up at the State dock, make sure you call him first, at the DEM office across the street from the ferry. He has done a great job revitalizing the port, but he needs the cooperation of all boaters. If you do tie up, there is electricity and water, but no other amenities, although there are restaurants like George’s and Champlin’s and a few tourist shops in walking distance. If you are looking for a launching ramp, there is an excellent facility at the Great Island Bridge. It is a state-controlled double concrete ramp and it is free.

For a marina, you need to go a little further up the channel and look at the west side. If you have already gone up by the State docks, do not go directly over to the Jerusalem side or you will run aground! Look at your chart and go back to the mid-channel buoy. Remember to observe the regulatory aids to navigation. You should go slowly and not cause a wake. In the Jerusalem/Snug Harbor area is Point Judith Marina with fuel, pump out, electricity, grills, laundry, etc. Snug Harbor Marina has groceries, fuel and a snack bar, but limited transient slips. Point View Marina has fuel and offers repairs. Lockwood’s Marina is at East Matunuck and has the same plus the well-known Captain Jack’s restaurant, store and a launch ramp. Jim’s Dock in Jerusalem has a restaurant and ice, but no fuel. At the north end of the Salt Pond there is some dockage at Ram Point Marina and Stone Cove Marina, as well as a restaurant. If you are just coming for dinner, there is dockage at the Matunuck Oyster Bar. Consult your chart for depths.

A third choice, and my favorite, is to go further up the pond, past Camp Fuller on Turner Point, and anchor in the very quiet waters between Plato and Gardner Islands. Check your depth. If you need more than four feet at low tide, you can go a little north of the islands. You can kayak or dinghy in and explore two uninhabited woodsy little islands. A beautiful spot! Wake the next morning refreshed for the rest of your trip. But first, don’t forget to register your family for a Coast Guard Auxiliary Safe Boating course. There is one starting June 6, Mondays and Thursdays from 7 to 9:30 pm for four weeks in Warwick. Call 739-6028 or go to www.northstarflotilla.com for information. Safe boating!

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here