The sail from Atlantic Highlands NJ to Newport RI is about 24 hours. And if you can get a nice wind off Long Island it can be very pleasant to just set the autopilot and keep a good watch.

This spring though, we did not have the luxury of waiting for the perfect wind and just went for calm and gentle conditions and motor sailed the whole way. Which wasn’t too bad either.

Where to Anchor

We almost always anchor in the exact same location. Along the south, just next to the Ida Lewis Yacht Club and as close as we can get to the dinghy dock that is next to King Park. As long as you are out of the mooring fields and south of the underwater power cable you are fine. Both are well-marked.

We’ve always had excellent holding which is good since dock space is prohibitively expensive and even moorings can be too much.

There is a three week anchoring limit that is strictly enforced during the time that the Maritime Center is open, but before it opens in the spring and after it closes in the fall those rules are relaxed a bit. We’ve overstayed out of the season on both sides and not had a problem.

The Dinghy Dock Options

Newport is one of those towns that I wish every harbormaster up and down the east coast would visit. There are several amenities that just set the place apart. First is the array of dinghy docks that can be found throughout the city. Just about anywhere you are going there is a dinghy dock that will shorten your walk.

Next is the Maritime Center itself. Located on one of the docs, one that just happens to also have a free to use pumpout, is the maritime center which hosts the harbormaster’s office, a laundry facility, a lounge, bathrooms, and coin showers.

The town also has a “water float” which is a floating dock in the middle of the harbor that has a water hose on that you can use to fill your tanks.

Cafes, groceries stores, pizza, and hardware stores.

As I find with all of the places we tend to linger Newport has some solid shoreside services. Multiple cafes, grocery stores, pizza, and hardware stores. The West Marine is a bit far from the docks and will require a ride but I’ve rented scooters to make the trip before.

Newport has everything you might need boating wise from gear to expertise.

We’ve stayed as late as early November and I’m already thinking about what I want to do when we return this next fall. The big project will be buying Liam a full set of foul weather gear as a combination Graduation/Birthday and whatever else I can think of gift.