With an easy-to-enter harbor, plenty of marinas and good protection from the weather, Clinton Harbor and the town of Clinton are very popular with cruising boaters. Clinton Harbor is located on the eastern end of Long Island Sound, and is situated 22 miles east of New Haven and 37 miles northwest of Point Montauk (Long Island).

Inside the harbor are no less than 12 marinas, many of which have transient slips, haul-out services and fuel. The easiest to reach marinas are on the Clinton waterfront, but there are others farther up the Hammonassett River for those with very shoal drafts.

Use NOAA Chart 12374.

The initial approach to Clinton Harbor starts at flashing green buoy “3” at Wheeler Rock south of Clinton. Once you have cleared the flashing green buoy, head north toward green can “11,” but be advised that there are shoals from both the east and west that encroach on the channel before you reach the green can. Green can “11” marks the bend in the channel (visible in the image above) toward the Clinton waterfront and is followed by green can “11A,” red nun 12,” green can “13,” red nun “14” and red nun “16.”

Once you have reached the Clinton waterfront, a long line of marinas will show up to starboard. Three of these marinas will accept transient guests at their slips, one sells gas and diesel fuel, and three also have haul-outs and repairs. There is limited room for anchoring (not recommended).

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