Watch Hill Rhode Island

[Rocket]

We are planning our summer trip to Martha's Vineyard and wanted to use Watch hill as one of our destinations. Can anyone offer information about this port? I was told its only an mooring field however i do see some dockage, which my family prefers. Also what are the attractions at this destination. As always thanks in advance.

 

[katricol]

I go there very often to anchor up for the night, great beaches to walk (called Napatree point.) The "town" itself is tiny and can be walked in about a half hour if you stop in some stores. There are a few transiant slips but I don't have any info on them home, I never pay much attention to them while there. Have you been to Mystic?

 

[Rocket]

That was another destination we are considering. I have been there by car, never with the boat. Which marina would you recommend? We are travelling with tenders.

 

[mjmason1]

There is a marina further up river that might have slips. The yacht club may have moorings or slips. There isn't much there for tourism, except I think Taylor Swift has a house there. Maybe you will bump into her. The beaches at Napatree Pt are beautiful. It is a nice anchorage. At low tide the water gets very skinny coming in. Although I would recommend a stop there, Mystic would offer more opportunity for sight seeing.

 

[Rocket]

There is a marina further up river that might have slips. The yacht club may have moorings or slips. There isn't much there for tourism, except I think Taylor Swift has a house there. Maybe you will bump into her. The beaches at Napatree Pt are beautiful. It is a nice anchorage. At low tide the water gets very skinny coming in. Although I would recommend a stop there, Mystic would offer more opportunity for sight seeing.

We were thinking of one night stay. We've heard the beach is the attraction. So possibly Martha's (4) nights, Watch Hill (1) night, Mystic (2) nights.

 

[Alex F]

We are planning our summer trip to Martha's Vineyard and wanted to use Watch hill as one of our destinations. Can anyone offer information about this port? I was told its only an mooring field however i do see some dockage, which my family prefers. Also what are the attractions at this destination. As always thanks in advance.

Mike,

The mooring field closer to "town" is for smaller boats and congested. I've seen very few mooring balls for larger boats right next to the anchorage field, but never tried getting one b/c the anchorage is right there and has good holding.

I think there are two marinas where I've seen 60'ers or so. But, since we never cared for those marinas I don't know if they take transients.

 

[dcpringle]

We go into Watchhill as well, but as katricol stated, not much of a town, and other than the long beach not really much there. Easy to anchor out there. You can back in towards the beach for a night and use a stern anchor. Mystic on the other hand has a ton to do. We stayed right at the seaport. You can tie up at their wall and stay in there after hours... really cool. Awesome at times when the fog comes in and the tall ships are around you...

 

[Ididntdoit]

Its a private yacht club in watch hill - anchor at napatree and dinghy in to town - as others have said, not much to see unless taylor swift is in town......get a slip right at mystic seaport - mystic is dinghy heaven - have fun

 

[Rocket]

If i recall the seaport is up the river on the other side of the bridge, correct?

 

[dcpringle]

It is north other the bridge, and it only opens at something like 20 mins till the top of the hour when called... PIA... Alex F can probably give you the exact time it opens..

 

[Ididntdoit]

yes - it opens at :40 past the hour and there is a town dock you can hold at while you wait (can not disenbark) neet place to stay as you have the run of it at night - if you dont want to deal with the bridges or want a pool try Brewers or Mystic Shipyard - with a dinghy its no problem to tie up in town or at the seaport

 

[Russ Calasant]

The Olympia Tea Room and the Ocean House in Watch Hill are great. You can also get a short cab ride into Westerly with many bars shops and food - very quaint. There is a dock for transients but only two or three slips in WH, next to yacht club. The anchorage is fantastic and a must stop. MYSTIC, The Seaport is north of both the rail and road bridges. The train opens upon request as long as no traffic, CH 13, and the road bridge 20 min til but must request again on CH 13. From the mouth of the river its about 35 minutes or so with no wait to the road bridge and another 5-7 minutes to the seaport. I suggest you stay at Fort Rachel or Seaport Marine just inside RR bridge, one on left and one on right. Both are closer to town and crawling distance to stores, food and booze. The Mystic Seaport is a bit out of town but not bad if you dink.

 

[Alex F]

40 min on the RR Bridge is correct. If going to Mystic, I'd suggest stay right in the Seaport to maximize your experience in the Museum. All the places Russ mentioned are fine as well. So, it depends whether you want to be closer to town or the Museum Villadge. Either way, you'll enjoy the dinghy ride to either place.

If you've never been to either WH or Mystic, I'd suggest to do one nights in WH and couple nights in Mystic.

 

[craigswardmtb]

Everyone touched on most I would recommend. Our slip is at mystic shipyard as it's a great marina with pool, kayak paddle board rentals, and south of the bridges for a quick jaunt to the sound. It's a scenic fun dink ride into town. Like most mentioned staying at the seaport is a really cool experience especially after hours. Two great dinkable restaurants are Red 36 at Seaport marine and S&P oyster house. Mystic is a great town with lots to do and see. Watch Hill is our favorite summer hang out. It has a great anchorage and fantastic beaches which is a must for our crazy kids. The town has some shops and a couple restaurants. The Ocean House is a little out of town but by far the best restaurant around. Up the Pawcutuck river there are a bunch of marinas, Avondale would be my choice. You may also want to consider Stonington. It has a Nice Harbor with lots of moorings, transient slips, and a cool historic small town.