Deep River

Welcome to Deep River

The Becky Thatcher riverboat docked alongside the Deep River Landing.
Photo by Caryn B. Davis

LOCATED ON THE WEST BANK OF THE CONNECTICUT RIVER, SOME 10 MILES FROM LONG ISLAND SOUND, DEEP RIVER’S MARITIME TRADITION DATES BACK TO 1653, WHEN LOCAL SLOOPS AND SCHOONERS WOULD SAIL FROM THE TOWN IN SEARCH OF IVORY AND OTHER GOODS.

The town landing, once used by returning vessels to offload their precious cargo, still retains that “old world” ambience with its views of heavily wooded Eustacia and Selden Islands, and a lack of commercial development. Adding to the area’s “old-world” feel is the Essex Steam Train, which runs past Deep River, and the riverboat Becky Thatcher, which offers sightseeing tours along the Connecticut.

Deep River chart

SAT map of Deep River

The Deep River landing offers a public boat launch (parking is limited), free transient moorings (call harbormaster Mark Reyher to see about availability) and a free dinghy dock with 2-hour limit for boaters who want to explore the town on foot. For longer stays, the Brewer Deep River Marina is just south of the landing.

Deep River Fishing Information

From the landing it’s a 10- to 15-minute walk west to the tree-lined village, where you’ll find antique wood and brick buildings housing a variety of shops and boutiques. On the way you’ll pass the Riverview Lobster Pound, where you can purchase freshly caught lobster, fish and steamers from a local fisherman.

Paddlers can launch at the town landing. Photo by Caryn B. Davis

Once you reach the village, you’ll find a host of places to eat or pick up provisions for the boat. A great place for breakfast is the Whistle Stop Café, which offers a large selection of unusual omelets. They also serve lunch and cater meals especially for boaters.

Also recommended is El & Ella’s, a specialty market that makes freshly prepared foods, sumptuous desserts and sandwiches, and carries homemade pastas and sauces, fresh coffee by the cup or pound, olive oils, a variety of cheeses and much more. You can also reserve their large, communal dining table in the center of the store for 12 of your friends, who will be served a delectable 5-course, fixed-price meal.

The Deep River Toy Company is a hit among kids and parents alike.
Photo by Caryn B. Davis

Of course, it’s the Connecticut River’s natural beauty that beckons many boaters to Deep River. Just across from the town landing, boaters and paddling enthusiasts will find the south entrance to Selden Creek, a quiet, watery paradise that’s home to many species of birds and other animals, including beaver, deer, turtles and muskrat. The creek edges are lined by wild rice, cattail, purple loosestrife and yellow and purple iris, creating a magical setting. The creek winds around Selden Neck State Park, which is laced by hiking trails and offers waterside camping.

Post Cove is a wonderful place to explore in a small boat, canoe or kayak.
Photo by Caryn B. Davis

A word of caution to sailors and powerboaters: the shoal at the mouth Selden Creek, starting just east of marker “33”, has recently extended into the channel. Keep to the west and south of the channel at this part of the river or you might find yourself hard aground.

Pratt Cove and Post Cove, slightly south of the landing near Brewer Deep River Marina, are other wonderful small-boat and paddling venues. With 200 acres of pristine, freshwater tidal marsh, there is a variety of plants and waterfowl to see in these small, meandering waterways.

As you can see, there’s a lot to keep boaters busy in Deep River, both on land and on the water. So, for a serene boating destination with quick access to a great town, pay a visit to Deep River. You may just stay a while.

GETTING THERE:

Chart Deep River

Chart: NOAA 12377

Deep River sits on the west bank of the Connecticut River, approximately 10 miles from Long Island Sound.

To reach the Deep River town landing (Steamboat Landing) from the south, take the channel south and west of Eustasia Island, whose southeast tip is marked by buoy Fl G “35”. This passage has a MLW depth of 15’ as you approach the landing.

From the north, stay west of Chester Creek Bar. You will have 10’ MLW in the channel as it runs along the Chester shoreline to the Deep River Landing. If you need more depth, you’ll have to run east of Eustasia Island and come around the southeast tip, then proceed west and north to the landing.

Note: the shoal at the southern entrance to Selden Creek, east of marker 33, has recently extended into the channel. Keep to the west and south of the channel at this part of the river.

Dockage, Moorings & Service:

Free moorings are available through the harbormaster; call (203-676-5909) for availability.
Brewer Deep River Marina (860-526-5560): Full-service marina just south of the town landing. Offers gas and diesel, 5 transient slips, service, storage, floating docks with water and electric, free WiFi, pumpout.

Anchorages:

Depending on your draft, it’s possible to anchor in the designated anchorage (shown on charts) north of Eustasia Island, along Chester Creek Bar in 3’-6’ of water, as well as in the deeper area (13-15’ MLW) west of buoys GC “37” and GC “39”. You can also anchor along the southern shore of Selden Island east of the main channel in 8’-9’ of water.

Launch Ramps:

A free public launch ramp is located at the town landing. Parking is limited, especially for truck-and-trailer rigs, with a $10 fee for non-residents.

Harbormaster:

Mark Reyher (203-676-5909)

Kayak Rental & Paddling Information:

Indian River Marina, Clinton (860-664-3704): Kayak sales and rentals.
A great source of information on kayaking in and around Deep River, as well as other Connecticut spots, is the Connecticut Water Trails Association.

Provisions:

Adams Super Food Store (860-526-2807)
Feast Gourmet Market (860-526-4056)
El & Ella’s (860-526-9377)

Getting Around:

Essex Taxi (860-767-7433)

Where to Eat:

Whistle Stop Café (860-526-4122)
El & Ella’s (860-526-9377)
Ivory Restaurant & Pub (860-526-2528)
Copper Beech Inn (888-809-2056)
Deep River Pizza (860-526-1348)
Great Wall Chinese (860-526-8988)

Where to Stay:

Riverwind Inn (860-526-2014)
Copper Beech Inn (888-809-2056)

Things to See & Do:

Selden Neck State Park: Directly across the Connecticut River from Deep River, Selden Neck offers hiking trails and basic campsites for boaters. The campsites are available from May 1 through September 30, at a fee of $5/night. Length of stay is limited to 1 night. Reservations for can be made after January 14 for stays between May 1 and September 30 by mailing a written request at least 2 weeks before an intended stay.

General Information: