Hampton Harbor and the adjacent waterfront are located at the southern end of Hampton Beach along the Hampton River. Hampton Harbor is an inlet from the Atlantic Ocean that is formed by the confluence of the Hampton and Blackwater Rivers. The Blackwater River represents the southern portion of the harbor and is principally within the town of Seabrook. The northern portion of the harbor, associated with the Hampton River, is the focus of this section of the Master Plan.
The Harbor provides a variety of marine-related activities with recreational boating and commercial fishing the most common. One of the Harbor’s best assets, aside from its relatively deep water and protection from severe storms and waves, is its location on the New Hampshire seacoast. Vessels have direct access to the Atlantic Ocean with only several hundred yards of channel length.

Information Courtesy Lane Memorial Library

John Holman, a volunteer at the Lane memorial Library, has a Web site that offers a well-written and complete history of the surrounding Hampton area.

Please see the link for the library in the Helpful links section at the bottom of this page.

Use NOAA Chart 13278.

A series of red nun buoys marks the entrance to the Hampton Harbor Inlet, and mariners should be keenly aware of the series of rock ledges (Inner Sunk and Old Cellar Rocks) to the north of the harbor entrance. The inlet, which is protected by rock jetties, holds six- to eight-foot depths but shoals quickly along the edges.

A bascule bridge crosses the inlet and has a regular opening schedule. Contact the bridge tender on VHF Channel 13 for a schedule or to request openings.

Once inside the harbor, depths shallow quickly, but more so on the southern (Blackwater River) portion of the harbor. Keep a sharp lookout for the many anchored and moored boats here.

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

Hampton is a beach town. With nine state beaches, Hampton is a popular place to beach comb, explore and fish the water - both from land and by water.

See the “Helpful Links” section at the bottom of this page for detailed information.

Boston’s Logan International is 50 miles away and Portsmouth’s Pease international Airport is only 6 miles away. Ground transportation can be arranged from both airports, and while Logan will definitely have more commercial departures and arrivals available, Pease International is certainly more convenient to Hampton Harbor.

Taxicabs are available in Hampton, but the city does not provide public buses or train transportation. Trailways offers bus service from Logan.

Bicycles are a delightful way to explore the town and its beaches and many will certainly enjoy a casual stroll on the sand.

East Hampton Airport

Hampton Calendar of Events

Things to do in Hampton

Complete Hampton History

Logan International Airport

Pease International Airport

MASSPORT Bus Information