Newburyport

HomeNewburyport

Welcome to Newburyport

THINGS TO SEE
PLACES TO EAT
PLACES TO STAY
WHERE TO DOCK

AS VETERAN NORTH SHORE BOATERS KNOW, THE MERRIMACK RIVER IS A BUSY AND SOMETIMES DANGEROUS PLACE, ESPECIALLY THE WATERS AT ITS MOUTH (AKA, THE BAR), WHERE IT MEETS THE OPEN OCEAN. IN FACT, THE MOUTH OF THE MERRIMACK, WHICH IS BORDERED BY SALISBURY BEACH TO THE NORTH AND PLUM ISLAND TO THE SOUTH, IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS INLETS ON THE EAST COAST, IF NOT THE COUNTRY, AND CAUTION SHOULD ALWAYS BE USED WHEN NAVIGATING THE RIVER MOUTH, EVEN IN FAIR CONDITIONS. INSIDE THE RIVER, THE STRONG CURRENT (UP TO FOUR KNOTS) AND HEAVY BOAT TRAFFIC, WHICH INCLUDES VESSELS FROM 150 FEET TO KAYAKS, DEMAND CONSTANT VIGILANCE AT THE HELM.

Cautionary notes aside, the Merrimack has much to offer boaters who don’t mind crowded waters. And one of the river’s major attractions is the historic city of Newburyport, situated three miles from the inlet on the southern bank.

Sushi and sashimi at Michaels.

Here you’ll find narrow streets flanked by historic buildings, excellent restaurants, a beautiful waterfront and lots of interesting boutiques and shops. In fact, Newburyport could be considered a “trendy” place these days, and it welcomes boaters of all types. Better still, it’s an easy place to get around on foot.

There are several marinas in Newburyport and the surrounding towns along the lower Merrimack, so you should have little problem finding a place to stay, even on busy summer weekends. If you only want to tie up for a few hours, consider the municipal docks along the Central Waterfront Boardwalk, which provides easy access to downtown Newburyport. Transient vessels can tie up on a first-come, first-served basis from Memorial Day through Columbus Day. Fees are collected by the dockmaster and range from $2 per hour to $6 per hour, according to the size of your vessel. Water and electricity are available and are included in the hourly fee. The city also maintains 4 guest moorings available for $25 per night.

Vessels large and small can tie up along the riverfront.

If the city docks are full, you can usually find a spot at one of the marinas that line the waterfront, such as the Newburyport Harbor Marina, Hilton’s, Windward Yacht Yard or the River’s Edge. Even more marinas are located on the Salisbury side of the river and farther upstream beyond the Gillis/Rte. 1 Bridge. There’s free pumpout service as well, via a town pump-out boat and a shoreside facility at Cashman Park, just west of the Gillis Bridge. For information contact the Newburyport dockmaster via VHF channel 12 or by phone at (978-462-3746).

The launch facility at Cashman Park is one of the largest in the state.

Cashman Park is open year-round. The daily launch fee is $10, and seasonal passes are available. Note that the ramp can be extremely busy on summer weekends, but there is usually an attendant on duty during the day to make sure things run smoothly.

Cartoppers, windsurfers and kayakers can also launch at the small concrete ramp on Water Street, just west of the Joppa flats and a half-mile east of the Custom House Museum, although parking is limited. Another option for kayakers is to launch at the base of the Plum Island Bridge, as well as from the beach near the partyboat docks on Plum Island. Both spots provide ready access to the Joppa Flats, Woodbridge Island and the scenic marshes behind Plum Island.

The Maritime Museum contains all kinds of interesting
exhibits relating the Newburyport’s past.

Small-boaters and kayakers will find a world of exciting places to explore in the lower Merrimack. Numerous creeks on both sides of the river wind deep into the marshes, although you’ll probably want to avoid the backwaters in midsummer due to the abundance of biting greenhead flies that can drive you mad at this time of year. Both early and late in the season (early fall is especially beautiful) the marshes are a peaceful paradise for birders, kayakers and fishermen. Unless you’re very familiar with the area, be sure to pack a GPS and a compass, as it’s easy to get lost in the maze of creeks, which are screened by tall marsh grass.

Of course, your Merrimack adventures don’t have to end in Newburyport. The river has good depth far upstream, all the way to the town of Haverill. Along the way you’ll find even more creeks to explore in a dinghy or kayak, including Town Creek and the quiet waters behind Ram and Carr Islands (both islands are wildlife refuges). If you attempt to access these areas from Cashman Park, beware of the strong current and heavy boat traffic. If you wish to head east in a larger boat, Newburyport is ideally located for day trips north to the Isles of Shoals or south to Plum Island, Ipswich’s Crane Beach or Cape Ann.

GETTING THERE

Newburyport, Massachusetts Chart

Newburyport is located on the southern bank of the Merrimack River, three miles from the inlet. The town is roughly 45 nautical miles north of Boston and 58 nautical miles south of Portland, Maine. Known by locals as “The Bar”, the Merrimack River inlet has a strong current (up to four knots), and can be very dangerous, especially when a strong ebb tide opposes an easterly wind. Novice boaters routinely get into trouble here. Heavy boat traffic during the summer only exacerbates the situation. Coast Guard Station Merrimack River monitors the river entrance and will provide current inlet conditions via inquiries on VHF 16. Note too that a flashing white light at the bend of the north jetty signals that conditions are favorable for breaking surf.

To enter the river from the north or south, head for lighted red-white buoy “MR” and proceed to lighted buoy R “2” off the north jetty. The best advice is to transit at the top of the flood tide. Locals favor the northern side of the channel to avoid the shoal that extends off the tip of Plum Island.

Once clear of the inlet, the river channel has a mean low water depth of 12 feet (6 feet above Gillis/Rte. 1 Bridge). Be sure to keep buoy R “8” to starboard after clearing the inlet to avoid Badgers Rocks. The shallow Joppa Flats are visible to port, followed by the American Yacht Club, the Coast Guard station and Newburyport’s downtown area.

Be sure to follow the channel markers closely as you approach Newburyport, as you’ll need to steer clear of Half Tide Rocks off buoy GC “17”. This can be a tricky spot to navigate in a strong current with heavy boat traffic. If you wish to continue upriver past Newburyport, note that the Gillis/Rte. 1 Bridge has a vertical clearance of 35 feet at low tide. It can be raised by hailing the bridge tender on VHF 13 or 16. Mean low water depth is six feet west of the bridge.

Note: there is a strictly enforced no-wake zone from R “8” Fl R 4s to G C “11”.

Dockage, Moorings & Service

American Yacht Club (978-465-9053, www.americanyachtclub.org): First facility to port after entering the Merrimack River. Offers moorings on reciprocal basis.
Newburyport City Docks (978-462-3746, VHF 12): Municipal marina offering city transient dock space, moorings, water, electric and pump-out, gas and diesel, and restrooms.
Hilton’s (978-463-3990, VHF 9): Full-service marina with 65 slips, gas and diesel, pump-out, WiFi, electric, haulout, ice delivery and more. Transient slips up to 150 feet.
Newburyport Harbor Marina (978-462-3990; VHF 9 & 71): Full-service marina offering 65 deep-water slips, transient dockage for boats up to 150 feet, WiFi, cable TV, electric, ships store, ice, bait and tackle, haulout and repair.
Newburyport Boat Basin (978-465-9110; VHF 9 &10): Full-service marina offering haulout, outboard repair, transient slips, freshwater, fuel, ice delivery, bait and tackle.
Windward Yacht Yard on McKay’s Wharf (978-462-6500; VHF 11): Full-service marina offering 150 slips and moorings, haulout, storage, ice delivery, bait and tackle, ships store and restaurant.
Bridge Marina (Salisbury) (978-465 1153): Located on northern bank of the river, at the foot of Gillis Bridge, Bridge Marina offers 100 slips, 5 moorings, an onsite restaurant, gas and diesel, restrooms, ice, and bait and tackle.

Anchorage

Due to strong currents, heavy traffic and poor holding ground, anchoring inside the Merrimack is not advised.

Harbormaster

City of Newburyport Harbormaster

Paul Hogg (978-462-3746; VHF 12)

Launch Ramps

An excellent launch facility with ample parking, pump-out and restrooms is located just west of the Gillis/Rte. 1 Bridge at Cashman Park. $10 daily fee. Attendant on duty in season.
Another state ramp with ample parking and close proximity to the river mouth is located on the north side of the river at Salisbury Beach State Reservation.
Cartoppers and kayakers can also launch at the small concrete ramp on Water Street, just west of the Joppa flats and a 1/2-mile east of the Custom House Museum, although parking is limited.
Another option for kayakers is to launch at the base of the Plum Island Bridge, as well as the beach near the partyboat docks on Plum Island. Both spots provide ready access to the Joppa Flats, Woodbridge Island and the scenic marshes and creeks behind Plum Island.

Boat and Kayak Rental

Plum Island Kayak (978-462-5510)
Freedom Boat Club (888 781 7363)

Things to See & Do

Newburyport Whale Watch (978-499-0832: Whale-watch trips from Plum Island.
Yankee Clipper (800-978-3370): Entertaining harbor tours from Waterfront Park.
Massachusetts Audubon Society’s Education Center (978-462-9998): On Plum Island, the Center offers nature trails and birdwatching stations.
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center (978-465-5753)
Custom House Maritime Museum (978-462-8681): Maintains a unique collection of maritime art, model clipper ships, displays of famous shipwrecks, the history of the Coast Guard and more.
Cushing House Museum & Garden (978-462-2681): The Caleb Cushing House Museum houses the collection of the Historical Society of Old Newbury. The society dates back to 1877 and was organized for the purpose of the study and remembrance of Newbury’s history, which includes Newbury, Newburyport, West Newbury, Byfield and Plum Island.
Newburyport also has numerous galleries, including the Newburyport Art Association (978-465-8769), and the Walsingham Gallery (978-499-4411)

Where to Eat

Michael’s Harborside (978-462-7785): Popular outdoor restaurant and bar on the river in downtown Newburyport.
Portside Waterfront: Riverside dining on the Salisbury side of the river.
The Grog (978-465-8008)
Black Cow Tap & Grill (978-499-8811)

Fishing Information

Click here for more Fishing Information!

Watch

Lorem Vimeo

Ipsum Youtube

Lorem Vimeo

Ipsum Youtube

Lorem Vimeo

BEWITCHED BY SALEM

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

At a Glance

Launch Ramps
Where to Stay
Rentals
Harbor Master and Harbor Info
Getting There
Things to Do