Rye

Welcome to Rye, New Hampshire

RYE HARBOR IS A LOVELY, SCENIC SPOT—A CLASSIC NEW ENGLAND PORT—BUT TRANSIENT BOATERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT IT OFFERS NO OVERNIGHT FACILITIES AND NO ROOM TO ANCHOR. AND NOW THAT LOCAL INSTITUTION SAUNDERS RESTAURANT HAS BEEN TORN DOWN TO MAKE ROOM FOR LUXURY HOUSING, THERE’S NO LONGER EVEN A PLACE TO DOCK-AND-DINE.

Rye Harbor Chart

So, why should boaters even have Rye on their radar? Because Rye, offers a great launch ramp and ready access to many nearby destinations. Powerboaters can fuel up at the State Marina and tie up for short periods of time (as long as someone stays aboard), but the bottom line is that Rye is basically a trailerboating and paddling destination. Boaters can launch at the state ramp (adjacent to the pier) for $10 per day.

Satellite View of Rye

From there, it’s a short run to many coastal spots, including the Isles of Shoals, just 5.5 nautical miles east. Daytrippers can also make the easy run north to Portsmouth and Kittery (5-6 nautical miles) or south to Hampton Harbor (7 nautical miles). And of course, fishing out of Rye can also be very good, and you often don’t have to run far to find some action.

Read the story Rye Fishing Information

Kayakers can also launch at beautiful Odiorne Point State Park, about 2 miles north of the harbor. Be aware that the latter spot is best accessed on the upper stages of the tide; at low water there’s a lot of mud to contend with. Once in the water, there are miles of sheltered creeks and coves to explore. Portsmouth Kayak Adventures, a short drive from Odiorne Point, offers kayak rentals and group tours of the Rye area, including the harbor.

Odiorne Point State Park encompasses 330 acres of coastal land featuring hiking trails and picnic facilities. It’s also home to the Seacoast Science Center, which features numerous exhibits relating to New Hampshire’s coastal and marine environment. Hanging above the main lobby is the full skeleton of a humpback whale, while inside you can learn about the many animals, from urchins to seals, that live in the surrounding waters. There’s even a touch pool where kids can handle starfish and other marine critters. The Center also features exhibits on the recorded history of Odiorne Point, which dates back to 1623. That’s when English settlers first landed there, making it the first European settlement in New Hampshire. Odiorne Point also served as the home of Fort Dearborn from 1942 through 1961, and you can visit the remains of World War II-era U-boat spotting stations overlooking the ocean.

Between Odiorne Point and the Rye Harbor is Wallis Sands State Beach, where $15 will gain you admittance to the beach and a bathhouse with showers. The more intimate Jenness Beach is just south of Rye Harbor.

GETTING THERE:

Charts: NOAA 13283

Rye Harbor Chart

Rye Harbor is located approximately 54 nautical miles north of Boston, 12 nautical miles north of the Merrimack River and 51 nautical miles south of Portland, Maine. When approaching from all points, pick up red lighted buoy RW “RH” Mo (A) WHIS, less than a mile outside the harbor, then proceed to GC “3”, which marks the harbor entrance. The harbor is wide and has a MLW depth of 8′.

The State Marina and launch ramp are located at the extreme western end of the harbor. The marina sells gas and diesel and features 2 piers. Recreational boaters can tie up to the south pier for 30 minutes, although the boat cannot be left unattended.

Dockage, Moorings & Service

Rye Harbor offers no facilities for transient boaters. The State Marina (603-964-9008) sells fuel and offers a 30-minute tie-up (boat must be attended), but is primarily reserved for commercial fishing and excursion boats. In other words, be ready to move your boat on short notice.

Nearby places to keep your boat include:

Hampton River Marina
(603) 926-1422: Some 7 miles south of Rye; has transient slips. (See New England Boating destination section on Hampton Beach.)
Wentworth by the Sea Marina (603) 433-5050: Full-service facility offering transient slips in Little Harbor, some 4 miles north of Rye.

Anchorage

Anchoring within the harbor is not permitted due to space limitations. Anchoring off the nearby state beaches is not advised.

Launch Ramps

The state ramp next to the Rye Harbor State Marina & Pier (603-964-9008) off Route 1A offers easy access to the harbor and plenty of parking for trailers. Fee is $10 per day for both residents and non-residents. Kayakers can launch from this point to access the harbor, ocean and the creeks to the north and south.
Odiorne Point State Park (603) 436-1552: Ramp for non-motorized vessels only. No fee, but donations are encouraged. Parking lots closes at 8:00 p.m. from June to Labor Day. Call for current schedule earlier and later than those dates.

Harbormaster

(603) 365-0509

Boat & Kayak Rental

Portsmouth Kayak Adventures (603) 559-1000: Rents kayaks and offers guided excursions that include trips to Rye Harbor. Also runs a kids kayak camp in summer.

Provisions

Serenity Market & Cafe (603) 319-1671: Offers variety of fresh foods, including gluten-free products.
Rye Farmer’s Market (June-October)

Getting Around

No information available.

Where to Eat

Petey’s Summertime Seafood and Bar (603) 436-1937: Two miles north of the harbor. Offers seafood and other fare overlooking the ocean. Open year-round.
Ray’s Seafood Restaurant (603) 436-2280: Large seafood restaurant and bar on Rye Beach. Offers water views from the deck.
Serenity Market & Cafe (603) 319-1671: Serves breakfast and lunch. Also dinners to go, including pizza.

Things to See & Do

Seacoast Science Center (603) 436-8043: At Odiorne Point State Park, the center offers numerous indoor exhibits that teach about the coastal environment.
Odiorne Point State Park (603) 436-1552: Huge state park located north of Rye Harbor. Offers kayak launch site, miles of hiking trails and the remains of WW II sub-spotting stations.
Wallis Sands Beach State Park (603) 436-9404: Off Route 1A. Wallis Sands is a popular bathing beach and has parking, bathrooms and showers.
Jenness State Beach (603) 436-1552: Jenness offers the same amenities as Wallis Sands, but is more intimate.
Kayaking in Rye Harbor is excellent. You can launch at the State Marina ramp and head toward the ocean if conditions allow, or stay inside the harbor and poke into the protected creeks that wind through the marshes north and south of the harbor. Portsmouth Kayak Adventures (603-559-1000) rents kayaks and conducts tours that include trips to Rye. Also runs a kids kayak camp in summer.
Granite State Whale Watch (800) 964-5545: Whale-watch excursion boat operating from the state pier.
Atlantic Whale Watch (603) 964-5220: Whale-watch excursion boat operating from the state pier.

Where to Stay

Pebble Cove Motel (603) 436-8108: Seasonal motel with pool. Located near Wallis Sands Beach.
Hoyt’s Lodges (603) 436-5350: Small rental cottages north of Rye, near Wallis Sands Beach.

General Information