Newport

Welcome to Newport

Boaters can tie up at the Newport Maritime Center pier for a hourly fee. The Center
also has showers, WiFi, laundry, lockers and more—all of it just steps from Thames Street.

NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, IS KNOWN AS THE YACHTING CAPITAL OF THE NORTHEAST, HOME TO SEVERAL AMERICA’S CUP WINNERS AND THE SETTING FOR MANY WORLD-FAMOUS REGATTAS, NOT TO MENTION THE STARTING POINT OF THE ANNUAL NEWPORT-TO-BERMUDA RACE. HOWEVER, THIS HISTORIC CITY AT THE SOUTHERN TIP OF AQUIDNECK ISLAND STANDS READY TO WELCOME ALL BOATERS. VIRTUALLY EVERY KIND OF PLEASURE CRAFT, FROM CLASSIC HERRESHOFFS TO FUTURISTIC AZIMUTS, CALL ON NEWPORT AT SOME POINT, AND IT’S ESTIMATED THAT SOME $6 BILLION WORTH OF VESSELS USE THE HARBOR ON A TYPICAL SUMMER WEEKEND.

Newport Chart

Aerial Map

In the late 1800s and early 1900s Newport became a playground for the superwealthy, who built magnificent summer homes along the cliffs of Aquidneck Island. Today the scenic downtown attracts millions of tourists each year, who come for the shopping, history and nightlife. Historic Thames Street, which skirts the waterfront, is home to eclectic shops, bars and restaurants, many housed in colonial-era buildings.

While visiting boaters can enjoy Newport’s shoreside attractions, the local waters are too intriguing to allow much time ashore. Historic sites include the Ida Lewis Yacht Club (ILYC), which sits on Lime Rock, in the eastern part of Brenton Cove. Lime Rock was once home to the Lime Rock Light Station, whose longtime lighthouse keeper, Ida Lewis, rescued 18 seamen during her 55-year tenure. The ILYC club burgee has 18 stars representing each of the lives she saved. The buildings at Lime Rock were sold for $7,200 in 1928, and the Ida Lewis Yacht Club was founded the same year. A 300-foot-long walkway was constructed to connect the club to Wellington Avenue.

One of the more striking sights in Newport is “Clingstone“, better known as the “House on the Rocks”, a 3 ½-story gray-shingled mansion perched on one of the Dumpling isles off Conanicut Island, just opposite Newport Harbor. Clingstone was built as a summer home in 1905 for the Wharton family. It was severely damaged in the Hurricane of 1938, and sat abandoned for almost 20 years. The house was eventually renovated by its current owner, architect David Wood, who bought the property in 1961 for $3,600. Today the house can be rented.

At the southern end of Newport Harbor is sprawling Fort Adams. Built in 1824, this magnificent fort on Castle Hill once guarded the ocean approach to Newport, and was the largest coastal fortification on the U.S. Daily tours of the fort are given in season. Concerts are also held here during summer, including the famous Newport Jazz Festival (now called George Wein’s Jazz Festival). Boaters can have a front-row seat at the festival, which is held in early August.

Continuing outside the harbor and heading south, you’ll see Castle Hill Light to port. Built in 1890 and automated in 1957, the light is the traditional starting point for many Newport regattas. Early plans for its design were made by famous architect H.H. Richardson.

Although traditional boating still holds sway in Newport, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding have become a popular pastime.

Although traditional boating still holds sway in Newport, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding have become a popular pastime.

Paddlers are urged to stay close to shore to avoid the heavy boating traffic in open water. Crossing the East Passage is not recommended, especially for inexperienced paddlers, due to the strong currents and numerous boats that operate at high speeds in this area.

That said, kayakers are welcome to pay a visit to nearby Rose Island. Built in 1870, Rose Island Light served as a navigational beacon until 1971. After years of neglect, the lighthouse was saved in 1984 by the nonprofit Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation. The beacon was relit in 1993 and resumed its role as an official aid to navigation. The keeper’s house has also been restored to the way it looked in the early 20th century, right down to the windmill and cistern.

A strong paddler can make the trip to Rose Island in 30 to 45 minutes. However, be aware that the typical afternoon seabreeze can make the return trip difficult. The most direct route to Rose Island is south around Goat Island, but this exposes paddlers to heavy boat traffic. A safer bet is to slip beneath the Goat Island causeway and come around the north end of the island.

Rose Island is a wildlife refuge from April 1 to August 15, when more than 200 pairs of wading birds including blue herons, black-crowned night herons, great and snowy egrets and glossy ibises nest here. After nesting season, the perimeter of the island is open to walkers, though the interior remains off-limits because of crumbling buildings and unstable embankments. By the way, if you’re looking for a way to get on the water during the offseason, Save The Bay and Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation have teamed up to offer seal-watching tours. On weekends from November to April, as well as during school vacations, the groups provide expert guides and binoculars for an educational view of these visiting marine mammals.

If the wind is out of the southwest or other westerly direction, consider a daytrip to Mackerel Cove, a narrow fjord-like cove on the southeast corner of Conanicut Island (Beaver Neck) and an easy sail or run from Newport. The cove features a sandy beach at its northern end and gin-clear water much of the season. It’s a great spot for swimming, snorkeling and diving, if you know what you’re doing. You can anchor at the northwest end of the cove, but not if winds are due south or easterly in direction.

Another good daytrip option in a southwest or other westerly breeze is Potters Cove, also located on the eastern shore of Conanicut Island, just north of the Pell Bridge. This well-protected cove is a favorite spot among local boaters, who like to swim or snorkle in the clear, warm water. You’ll find good holding ground in 20 feet of water in the center of the cove.

Naturally, there are dozens (if not hundreds) of other places to access by boat from Newport, both inside Narragansett Bay and the ocean waters. Newport is a natural jumping-off spot for trips to Cuttyhunk, Martha’s Vineyard and Block Island, and fishermen find it ideal for runs to the 20- and 30-fathom curves for sharks, tuna and occasional white marlin.

If you head north into the bay, you’ll find a small-boater’s playground with many waterfront towns to visit and cozy, protected coves in which to anchor for a picnic lunch. Check out the other Narragansett Bay destinations on this site for details on planning a trip inside the bay.

GETTING THERE:

Charts: NOAA 13221, 13223, 13218

Newport, Rhode Island Chart

As you approach Newport via the East Passage and the open ocean, keep to port of Brenton Reef, the tip of which lies just below the surface (you’ll usually see water breaking or boiling over the high point when a swell is running). Otherwise, the approaches to Newport are deep and safe in virtually all weather, although heavy traffic and swift currents in this area demand constant attention. Newport Harbor itself is packed with moored vessels and boats of all sizes and types zipping about. Note that the harbor speed limit is 5 mph, and quiet hours are 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Dockage, Moorings & Service:

Many of the moorings in the harbor are available for transients, but you must first check with the harbormaster (401-845-5815, VHF 14 or 16). Vessels up to 40′ can tie up at the Newport Maritime Center (401-845-5870; VHF 9) at the Ann Street Pier and at Perotti Park (401-845-5817) in the north end of the harbor, for an hourly fee. Both places also offer free dinghy tie-up until 10:00 p.m. The Maritime Center is just off Thames Street and offers WiFi, showers, laundry, vending machines, ice, TV, lockers and a reading library, plus a friendly staff. It’s a wonderful resource for boaters!

Bannister’s Wharf
(401-846-4500): Dockage, diesel and gas.
Goat Island Marina (401-841-8868, VHF 9): Slips for vessels up to 160′, as well as diesel and gas.
New England Boatworks (401-683-4000): Located 5 miles north of Newport, NEB is a full-service yard offering deep-water slips for vessels up to 120′, fuel, ice, pool, showers, pump-out and picnic facilities. Repair and haul-out too.
Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina (800-955-2558, VHF 9): Transient slips from May through October.
Newport Shipyard (401-846-6000, VHF 9): Dockage and full repair services, including hauling of large vessels.
Newport Yachting Center Marina (800-653-3625, VHF 9): Transient dockage for yachts to 160′, as well as diesel and gas.
Oldport Marine Services (401-847-9109, VHF 68): Moorings, parts and diesel service via Sayer’s Wharf. Also runs launch service.
Free public dinghy tie-up until 10:00 p.m. is available at Newport Maritime Center/Ann Street Pier (off Thames Street) and Perotti Park (at the north end of the harbor, near Goat Island Causeway).
Pump-out available at the Newport Yachting Center or via the Long Wharf mobile pump-out boat.

Anchorages:

The Newport anchorage is a small triangle at the southern end of the main harbor, north of the Ida Lewis Yacht Club. Yachts are requested to anchor in the northeast corner of Brenton Cove or north of the Goat Island causeway. Both areas have 15′ to 25′ of depth, but holding ground can be poor in some spots. Before dropping anchor, be sure to note the locations of various cable crossings. Do not anchor within designated mooring fields.

Launch Ramps:

There is an excellent concrete ramp (3′ at MLW) with parking at Fort Adams State Park. The ramp offers immediate access to Brenton Cove and Newport Harbor, as well as the waters of Narragansett Bay to the north and the ocean waters to the south.

Kayaks and other small craft can be launched at the natural rock and cement ramp at Kings Beach on Ocean Drive. There are also small town-managed ramps at Elm and Poplar Streets north of downtown Newport, although parking may be limited.

Harbormaster:

(401) 845-5815; VHF 14 or 16

Boat & Kayak Rental:

Adventure Watersports (401) 849-4820: Small-boat, PWC and kayak rental in nearby Jamestown.
Sail Newport (401) 846-1983: Sailboat rentals and lessons at Fort Adams State Park.

Provisions:

Stop & Shop (401) 848-7200: Top of Bellevue Avenue, a short walk from downtown.

Getting Around:

Yellow Line Trolley of Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (401-781-9400) shuttles between the waterfront visitors center and the mansions of Bellevue Avenue.
Scooter World (401) 619-1349
Yellow Cab (401) 846-1500

Where to Eat:

Newport offers all manner of restaurants and bars to suit any taste. Here is but a sampling:

Belle’s Café (401) 846-6000: Great dock-and-dine option at Newport Shipyard. Serves a variety of tasty and creative breakfast and lunch items. Offers indoor and outdoor seating. Free dockage for restaurant patrons.
Café Zelda (401) 849-4002: French-American bistro with casual fine dining that attracts locals and savvy tourists alike, especially the sailing crowd. On Thames Street, a short walk from Waite’s Wharf.
Clarke Cooke House (401) 849-2900: Housed in an 18th-century building and featuring four dining room options. All offer fresh seafood, chowder, steaks and pasta. Nightclub Boom Boom Room is at the basement level.
Mission (401) 619-5560: Sister restaurant to the award-winning and upscale Thames Street Kitchen, Mission offers burgers and hot dogs made from meats ground in-house, hand-cut fries and craft beers.
Perro Salado (401) 619-4777: Seaside restaurant serving authentic and creative Mexican cuisine on Charles Street in a historic 18th-century Naval officer’s home. The restaurant stresses fresh, locally grown food. Open for dinner and brunch.
Scales & Shells (401) 846-3474: Highly rated, award-winning seafood restaurant and raw bar on Thames Street.
White Horse Tavern (401) 849-3600: This historic tavern has been in business since 1673. Serves lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch with a farm-to-table philosophy, including local seafood, beef and chicken dishes.
Black Pearl (401) 846-526: A popular (and often crowded) watering hole and restaurant with both outdoor and indoor seating on Bannisters Wharf, right on the waterfront. Waterside bar and patio.

Things to Do & See:

Newport Mansions Preservation Society of Newport County (401) 847-1000: In-season tours of 9 mansions, including Marble House, the Breakers and the Elms.
Seasonal boat tours of Newport Harbor can be enjoyed on the Sea Rocket (401) 662-6547, Sightsailer (401) 849-3333 and Rum Runner II (401) 847-0298.
Tours and charter excursions are also available via America’s Cup Charters (401) 846-9886, which has a fleet of classic 12-Meter America’s Cup boats, including three Cup winners.
Rose Island Lighthouse & Fort Hamilton (401) 847-4242. The Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation opens Rose Island Light Station and Fort Hamilton for tours July through Labor Day. Built in 1869, the lighthouse is located on an 18-acre island in Narragansett Bay, minutes from Newport, and can be reached by small boat and kayak. After the Pell-Newport Bridge was built in 1969, the Light Station was abandoned. For the next 14 years it fell victim to scavengers, vandals and the weather. In 1984, volunteers of the nonprofit, the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation, restored the site to its 1912 appearance, installing environmentally friendly utilities for electricity, water, sewer and heat. In 1993, the beacon was relit. It is one of only a few operating lighthouses maintained by working vacationers who sign on for a week at a time as part of the organization’s environmental education program. The lighthouse is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The island’s dock is available for dinghy and kayak use only. Seal-watch tours are offered from November through April.
Museum of Yachting: Located on the grounds of Fort Adams, the Museum of Yachting is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., May through October 1. It is closed on Tuesday. It offers numerous yachting-related exhibits, and is also where you can see the 12-meter yachts Courageous and Freedom, reminders of Newport’s now-vanished hegemony in the America’s Cup.  $5 general admission.
Fort Adams State Park (401) 841-0707: Built in 1824, this magnificent fort on Castle Hill once guarded the ocean approach to Newport. It was the largest coastal fortification in the U.S. Daily tours of the fort are given in season.

Where to Stay: