Located between the cities of Norwalk and Stamford, Fivemile River is not, as the name suggests, five miles long, but rather about 1.25 miles long from its upper reaches to its mouth where it empties into Long Island Sound.

Although Fivemile River has eight marinas lining its shore, only one of them accepts transient guests. There are moorings in the river (not always available) and limited space for anchoring. Fivemile River attracts boaters mainly as a stopover destination and because of its convenient location between Norwalk and Stamford. Protected and fairly easy to enter, Fivemile River is a good stop, but be sure to phone ahead for sip reservations as spaces fill up quick in season.

Use NOAA Charts 12368.

From Long Island Sound, pick up the light at Greens Ledge (flashing white and red - sectors) about one mile south of Fivemile River. Once you have cleared Greens Ledge, set a course for flashing green buoy “3” and red nun “4” at the mouth of the river. Only one other buoy (red nun marks the channel up Fivemile River to the Cudlip Street Bridge, but the channel holds at least five-foot depths from the mouth to the limits of navigation.

Moorings line the channel for most of the river’s length, but there are some limited areas with enough room for anchoring. All of the marinas line the east side of the river.

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