A popular boating destination for boaters from Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York is the anchorage at Napatree Point, a sandy spit of land that extends west about a mile from Watch Hill, Rhode Island, an affluent travel destination. a day or weekend for those who want to enjoy exclusive shopping, exceptional dining, picturesque marine views at a slow and leisurely pace, relaxed and informal.
Filling the anchorage behind Napatree Point to the northeast is the Pawcatuck River which empties into Little Narragansett Bay, an estuary of about 320 square miles, running to an average depth of about seven feet; a perfect anchor for boats of most sizes. Some of the sub-10 meter boats prefer to pull back towards shore for easy access to the calm waters on the north side of the bay or the pounding surf on the opposite south shore. And there’s plenty of beach for everyone, even during the busiest boating months.
In 1938, Napatree Point, Rhode Island was separated from Sandy Point, Connecticut, in a hurricane that devastated the area, ripping houses from their foundations in what is now Anchorage. There are vestiges of that storm still on the sea floor, unaffected by salt water or marine life, cast iron stove parts, stainless steel refrigerators, and metal pipes, hence the nickname “the kitchen.” “.
The Naptree – Watch Hill connection is a boater’s paradise, combining a tranquil anchorage, world-class beach and upscale town just a short boat ride away. You can take a casual stroll down Bay Street in front of Watch Hill Harbor, stopping to visit any of the many small shops, bistros and specialty boutiques. For breakfast or lunch, there’s St. Claire’s Annex for traditional American dining or Bay Street Deli for the best oversized deli sandwiches like the Bay Street Reuben, The Mooring or Misquamicut Club. A couple of doors down you’ll find Bruna’s Cafe and a variety of gourmet hot and cold beverages, yogurts, granola, sandwich wraps, salads, smoothies, sherbet and homemade ice cream.
If you’re looking for something a little more formal for lunch or dinner, there’s indoor or outdoor dining at the Olympia Tea Room and Bar and the well-known landmark, the yellow Ocean House on Bluff Avenue, on a hill overlooking Watch Hill Harbor to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
Kids will love the chance to grab the silver ring on the Flying Horse Carousel, the oldest operating carousel in the country. For your convenience, there are public restrooms adjacent to the carousel at Flying Horse Beach and you can get ice for your cooler at Bay Street Deli or Watch Hill Dock. All this and more is within a quarter mile walk.
Napatree Beach is a mile-long stretch of sandy shoreline with the picturesque Watch Hill Light on the eastern end and Fort Mansfield, a Spanish-American War weapons location now covered in thick vegetation, on the western end. Napatree is crescent shaped with soft sand and a view of Fisher’s Island to the southwest and, on a clear day, Block Island – Rhode Island to the southeast and Montauk Point – Long Island as the crow flies.
A dangerous reef stretches from Watch Hill Light to the eastern shore of Fisher’s Island. The safest passage from the east is the one closest to the lighthouse via Watch Hill Passage, between G-1 (gong) and R-21 (red blink – bell six). From the west, your best route is to go around the western breakwater at Stonington, CT, past Stonington Point following the buoys north past G-5 (flashing green) around the west end of Sandy Point. Stay in the channel and do not cut south to Napatree Point until you have passed Seal Rock and RN “22” unless it is shallow draft.
If you’re looking for a sailing destination with a world-class beach, quiet anchorage, a place to entertain the kids, good food, and a casual, friendly atmosphere, you’ll find it in Watch Hill, Rhode Island and Napatree Point. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.