Our nation’s smallest state has big boating opportunities. Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay is prime for cruising — picturesque and protected with many beautiful harbors. While not on everyone’s chart plan, Wickford is an historic hamlet with delightfully walkable shady streets lined with beautiful colonial homes. From quiet Wickford, you’re set for a straightforward passage out to The Bay, then poised to cross the broad blue expanse of Rhode Island Sound to the fun, boat- and bike-friendly Block Island. This Narragansett tour will have you feeling like a bold explorer while landing at easy modern marinas.
Day 1: Wickford Cove
Wickford Cove is the smallest town in the smallest county of littlest Rhode Island. That’s not to minimize its quaint downtown full of waterfront gardens, charming architecture and tremendous yachting heritage. Stroll Wickford’s self-guided marker tour of historic seaside homes, then pop into some darling boutiques around the harbor like Serendipity and Pink Parasol.
Conclude your walk at Wickford on the Waterfront with a salty cocktail, local oysters or stuffed clams (“stuffies” in Rhode Island lingo). Tate’s Italian Kitchen serves hearty classics across the village’s main Brown Street. Moorings can be reserved at Wickford Yacht Club or go to Safe Harbor Wickford Cove for a full-service marina with dock space.
Day 2: Block Island
Wickford to Block Island — 29 NM
Cruising down the western shores of Narragansett Bay under the Jamestown Bridge, passing magnificent mansions then Point Judith Light, you are soon on your way across the open expanse of Rhode Island Sound to Block Island. The farthest island from land on the entire Eastern seaboard, Block Island is even more remote than Monhegan in Maine (10 miles out by comparison).
Block Island has a vacation vibe, and everything is relaxed, truly on “island-time” with their moniker of “Bermuda of the North.” The 1,500 happy humble Block Island residents claim they’ve been “social distancing since 1661,” so they’ve got humor to carry them through the long off-season. Block’s pear-shaped 7 x 3-mile island is cool, casual and fun to explore for a few days, yet not so stuffy-chic or celebrity-crushed as Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard.
Getting around by bike or moped is the best way to explore Block’s entire 16 miles of perimeter roads. Along the undulating country lanes, you may feel transported to Ireland with the lush rolling fields, stone walls, dramatic Mohegan Bluffs and the contrasting blue sea. Passing dozens of unique beaches, you may plan to return later. Highlight sights are Block Island’s two impressive lighthouses – North and South East – with the busier main village of Old Harbor in between.
Block Island has two boating harbors: the more protected New Harbor in Great Salt Pond, which is preferred by pleasure boaters, and Old Harbor with its primary ferry landing and bustling downtown of shops and grand seaside hotels. Staying at Great Salt Pond overlooking your mooring or dock slip, you should enjoy sunsets, pub fare and a boaters’ block party atmosphere at The Oar or Dead Eye Dick’s (opens in May). While in the Old Harbor after browsing boutiques, find a perfect chair and cocktail at either grand seaside hotel: Spring House or Atlantic House.
For a delicious local dinner, Kimberly’s serves littlenecks or calamari followed by lobster mac n’ cheese as a beautiful ending to a day of exploring. Live music may be piping out from next door Poor People’s Pub to lure you over for a nightcap.
Block Island’s public moorings in New Harbor are assigned daily by the Harbormaster. Private slips can be reserved at Champlin’s Marina, the Boat Basin and Oar House. They book up quickly in prime summer season, which results in boats rafting-up with strangers (friends you haven’t yet met!).
Day 3: Newport
Block Island to Newport — 25 NM
Departing Block Island, perhaps after fresh coffee and pastries delivered to your boat by enterprising locals, you will be in the company of power boaters and sailing vessels, plus the occasional charging ferry heading to Newport. It’s a direct course northeast to the Sailing Capital of Newport.
No boater worth his Sperry’s can miss out on the yachty harbor of Newport, established in 1639. As a visiting boater, contact the Harbormaster or Newport Yachting Center for an affordable mooring or a much pricier dock space in this prime harbor. Water taxis ply the harbor frequently to take you to the town docks.
Newport is full of magnificent vessels, lively waterfront pubs lining Bowens and Bannisters Wharfs, and scads of inviting seaside shops on cobblestone streets. Getting off your boat, stretch your sea legs with a scenic 3.5-mile cliff walk by the Gilded Age mansions of our fine affluent families (Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Dupont, Astor and Morgan). Before sunset, head for Newport rooftop drinks overlooking the harbor at The Vanderbilt or the Hotel Viking to toast your good fortunate in this big little state.
