A pink dinghy finds a home along the shore of Nanaquacket Pond.

As one of Rhode Island’s more out-of-the-way ports, Tiverton doesn’t get a lot of attention from visiting boaters. Yet while this quiet, no-frills town on the banks of the Sakonnet River and Mount Hope Bay may be off the beaten cruising path, it’s worth exploring by water, especially if you like to get away from New England’s busier spots.

Tiverton lacks public docks, but boaters can find a home and access to the waterfront at Standish Boat Yard. The largest marina in town, Standish has space for transients, as well as a fuel dock, showers, service, and pump-out.

Further north is the Tiverton Yacht Club, which offers slips and moorings for members of reciprocal yacht clubs.

Trailer-boaters looking to access the local waters can launch at the asphalt ramp below the Sakonnet River bridge. It offers quick access to Mount Hope Bay, Upper Narragansett Bay, and the Sakonnet River.

While Tiverton doesn’t have many shops or boutiques along its waterfront, it does boast several restaurants. Many embrace the farm-to-table movement, providing a healthy dose of local flavor. Across the street from Grinnell’s Beach is the highly rated Red Dory, a fine-dining establishment that features lovely views of the Sakonnet River and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.

Some of the docks at Standish Boat Yard.

If you seek a great cup of coffee, drop by Coastal Roasters, right on the water. The café and retail shop has a full espresso bar, waterfront patio, local pastries and artwork for sale.

Further north is The Boat House, a great spot to watch the sun set over Mount Hope Bay. The restaurant has its own dock where you can tie up while you enjoy cocktails on the deck and a variety of seafood and pasta dishes, including gluten-free and vegetarian options.

While the Boat Basin serves as headquarters to most of Tiverton’s waterfront activities, there are other spots worth checking out. Tidal Nannaquacket Pond, accessible from the Sakonnet via a narrow channel, is a wonderful place to explore by small boat, kayak, or SUP, perhaps do some fishing, then pull up for lunch at the popular Evelyn’s Drive-In or the Black Goose Café, both on the banks of the pond. (Note: to access the pond you must pass below a small bridge with a vertical clearance of 12 feet.)

A bit farther south on the Sakonnet River is Fogland Beach, a rocky point and park that shelters a small cove. A lot of local boaters anchor there during the weekend, as it’s protected from prevailing southerlies.  Fogland is also a good spot to launch a kayak or SUP, and is popular among windsurfers and kite-boarders.

If you find yourself driving or biking around Tiverton, be sure to spend an afternoon at Tiverton Four Corners, the historic district in the southern part of town. It’s home to small shops offering antiques, fine art, and gifts, set amid 18th century buildings spread out over a half-mile. Also in Four Corners is Gray’s Ice Cream, which has been churning out unique, homemade flavors like ginger, rum raisin, grape nut, and frozen pudding, along with more traditional favorites, for 90-plus years. It’s the kind of establishment that typifies Tiverton—a quiet escape where boaters can catch their breath before the next big adventure.