Island hopping might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Newport, Rhode Island, but Newport itself sits on Aquidneck Island and Narragansett Bay contains roughly 40 islands and islets. From calm coves ideal for swimming to lively harbors with services and nightlife, a short cruise from Newport opens a wealth of late-summer boating options in the Northeast. Below are four excellent island destinations within easy reach of Newport, with practical information on anchorages, moorings, docks and onshore highlights.
Jamestown
Just across the East Passage from Newport lies Conanicut Island—better known as Jamestown—the second-largest island in Narragansett Bay at just under 9.5 square miles. Jamestown is well known for its quiet, small-town feel compared with nearby Newport and is easily reached by boat for a day visit or an overnight stay.
The town doesn’t own public moorings, but three marinas on the east side offer transient moorings and launch service: Jamestown Boat Yard, Clark Boat Yard & Marine Works, and Conanicut Marine Services, the latter located right in town. From those docks it’s a short walk to shops, restaurants, galleries and basic supplies. The east side can be choppier and offers limited convenient anchorage near town, though the town maintains several short-term touch-and-go docks.
The west side of Jamestown is quieter and well worth visiting, especially for sunsets and darker night skies. Dutch Harbor—between Jamestown and the uninhabited Dutch Island—provides an attractive overnight anchorage. The town maintains a touch-and-go dock for short dinghy visits, and Dutch Harbor Boat Yard rents transient moorings and provides a launch. A short walk or bike ride leads to The Shack and into downtown amenities on the east side.
Dutch Island’s northwest spit offers a legal landing below the high-water mark and is a frequent local stop. Mackerel Cove, at the island’s south end, hosts a public beach and surprisingly reliable anchoring even on seabreeze afternoons, making it a popular spot for crowding and rafting on summer weekends. Potter Cove, just north of the Route 138 bridge on the east side, is another favorite for dropping the hook, swimming and a relaxed lunch.
Prudence Island
About 3 nautical miles north of Newport, Prudence Island feels like a world apart despite its proximity. Much of the island remains protected open space, and it rewards self-sufficient boaters with quiet beaches, miles of trails and a rich local history. The island’s original name—Chibachuweset—means “a place apart,” a fitting description for this largely undeveloped refuge.
Prudence is the third-largest island in the bay, roughly nine miles long and two miles at its widest point. Together with nearby Patience, Hope and Dyer islands, Prudence is part of the Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Reserve. The reserve’s headquarters and welcome center are on Prudence’s southern end, though some reserve facilities remained closed due to Covid-19 restrictions as of early July in the year referenced.
There are no public transient moorings, marinas or restaurants on Prudence. Portsmouth Harbormaster Bruce J. Celico notes two small touch-and-go docks: Sandy Point near the ferry dock at Homestead, which is difficult to use at low tide and serves police and fire boats, and the Rossi dock in Potter Cove on the northeast side. Potter Cove is a favored anchorage for day and overnight visits; dinghy ashore to Rossi Farm for local produce, meat and cheese, or walk to nearly a mile of sandy beach on the island’s western side.
Most roads on Prudence are unpaved and volunteers maintain roughly 15 miles of trails through varied terrain. Check local conservancy channels for trail status, and come prepared for ticks and biting insects. Despite occasional closures and pandemic impacts, the island continues to host community events and offers a peaceful, rustic escape for boaters who appreciate quiet anchorages and natural landscapes.
Block Island
About 21 nautical miles south of Newport, Block Island is a classic next leg for cruisers leaving Narragansett Bay. You can choose Old Harbor on the east side, where the ferry arrives, or the Great Salt Pond on the west side, which provides more protected anchorage and services for visiting boats. Summer crowds peak quickly, but after Labor Day the island calms and its coastal scenery and trails become especially rewarding.
Block Island concentrates most shops, galleries and restaurants at Old Harbor, but the island’s compact layout makes it easy to explore by bike or scooter. Boaters often anchor in the Great Salt Pond and use dinghies to reach shops or beaches; Aldo’s Bakery famously delivers fresh pastries by boat to anchored yachts each morning. With 21 miles of beaches and more than 40 percent of the island preserved as open space, Block Island offers extensive trails, dramatic cliffs and excellent birding.
The island’s networks of trails and greenways reveal overlooks, meadows and stone walls, with the 134-acre National Wildlife Refuge at the northern tip serving as an international birding hotspot. A popular local art-and-nature activity is Eben Horton’s Glass Float Project, which hides hundreds of blown-glass floats around the island each year as a public-art scavenger hunt.
Mariners should check current local guidance before visiting, especially during busy summer weeks or periods of public-health restrictions. New Harbor (Great Salt Pond) maintains about 90 transient moorings via VHF Channel 12, and three marinas—Champlins Marina, Payne’s Dock and New Harbor Boat Basin—offer transient slips and services.
Menemsha Harbor
Heading east across Rhode Island Sound brings you to Martha’s Vineyard, and on the island’s quieter western shore is Menemsha Harbor—about 27 nautical miles from Newport. This compact fishing village is prized for dramatic sunsets, fresh seafood and a relaxed, low-key atmosphere that contrasts with the more crowded Vineyard towns.
Menemsha offers a small number of transient slips and docks: 17 transient slips, a 120-foot dock for boats up to 55 feet, and a fixed pier that can accommodate several larger yachts. Moorings outside the jetties and in Menemsha Bight give additional options, though wind direction affects comfort and shelter. A dinghy dock behind the transient dock provides access for mooring patrons.
Visitors often explore Menemsha Pond and its shellfish farms (daytime anchoring rules may apply), but most come for the sunsets and seafood. Dutcher Dock and the village pier put you within easy reach of fresh fish markets such as Larsen’s and Menemsha Fish Market and simple takeout at The Galley. Menemsha’s compact scale and working-fishing-harbor character make it a restorative destination—bring a camera and an appetite, and remember that the town observes dry-town rules in some seasons.
Key Takeaways
Newport is an ideal base for island cruising. With more than 40 islands and islets in Narragansett Bay, Newport offers short runs to numerous anchorages, mooring fields and marinas suited to day trips and overnight cruises.
Jamestown blends convenience with quiet. Transient moorings and launch service at east-side marinas put shops and restaurants within easy reach, while Dutch Harbor and Mackerel Cove on the west side offer attractive overnight and day anchorages.
Prudence Island rewards self-sufficient visitors. Predominantly protected open space with limited docks and services, Prudence is best for hiking, secluded beaches and a low-impact, off-grid experience.
Block Island combines nature and services. About 21 nm offshore, Block Island has protected mooring fields, abundant beaches, trail networks and a lively small-town center—ideal for birding, biking and exploring.
Menemsha Harbor is authentic Vineyard charm. On Martha’s Vineyard’s western flank, Menemsha offers excellent seafood, memorable sunsets and a working harbor atmosphere with a limited number of transient slips and moorings.
This article originally appeared in the September 2020 issue.