Mattawan Creek is one of a number of small creeks and harbors that line the south shore of Lower and Raritan bays west of Atlantic Highlands and Sandy Hook. Mattawan Creek is 20 miles southwest of The Battery on Lower Manhattan and 10 miles west of Sandy Hook.

There are a few marinas up Mattawan Creek on the south side of Keyport Harbor that will accept transient guests. A large mooring field is available on the northern edge of the harbor, but most of these spots are private.

Use NOAA Chart 12327.

Mattawan Creek is approached from the west end of Lower and Raritan bays south of Staten Island and west of Atlantic Highlands and Sandy Hook. From Raritan Bay, first pick up flashing green buoy “1,” which is about two miles northeast of the harbor opening. Once you have successfully cleared this mark, set a course for flashing green buoy “3” southwest of Conaskonk Point, and then follow in green can “5,” green can “7,” flashing red buoy “8,” green can “9,” red nun “10,” and then red nun “12” into the heart of the harbor and the beginning of Mattawan Creek.

There are five marina facilities here, and two of them advertise transient space for visiting boaters. Keyport Yacht Basin has a lift for haul-outs and repairs.

Local Notices to Mariners are now exclusively available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.