We've never been disappointed at a Safe Harbor marina. Great staff and facilities are the norm. We received clear instructions coming in and help with our lines. While the transient face dock is open to wakes during the day, they die down at night with the traffic. The House of Seven Gables is across the street from the marina's pedestrian gate, and "downtown" is pretty much right there. Coffee, and muffins/donuts on Sunday morning... and a quite nice deck overlooking the marina/harbor. Salem/Hawthorne Cove is a go-to overnight for us if the wind is right. Update: we spent two nights on a mooring... multiple launches service their busy (on weekends) mooring field. Hawthorne Cove stays on our short list for day or two (or three) getaway.
Update again: Another three nights, and it’s as good as ever.Update: We spend a recent night at Sunset Bay Marina... the staff remains attentive and the resident marina customers quite friendly. The walk to the supermarket, etc., is less onerous than I reported last time, i.e., less than a mile from the marina. (It's an additional mile to the carousel at the west end of Hull.) It's not on the way to/from anywhere, but it remains a pleasant day or two getaway. ***** We spend two early September nights on the face dock... comfortable enough despite the occasional small wake. The marina manager offered to put us in an empty slip if we'd be more comfortable, but we declined. The staff and customers at Safe Harbor Sunset Bay were friendly and helpful. It's a walk to the supermarket but there's a convenience store within a few blocks. A few more blocks and you're on the beach. The core of Nantasket Beach is about two miles away, but it's a pleasant, flat walk, either along the beach or on an otherwise quiet road. We'll be back.
3rd Beach is a great stop for us, but the town needs to do better with its moorings. They were always first come, but two weeks ago we found they were all reserved. So be it, we anchored, after being tossed of a mooring by the harbor master. This time, we reserved on DOCKWA, but on arrival, no call to the harbor master was answered. So without him there, if the (reserved) moorings are otherwise occupied, then what? Plus, if you reserve, you pay, but if you just pick up a mooring, no one comes to collect the fee. Do it one way or the other, please.
A superbly friendly boatyard… the launch drivers, staff, and boaters alike. Super pet friendly, too. The yard’s within easy walking distance for breakfast (Carson’s) or any of the popular seafood places. Our mooring near the channel was remarkably wake free and made for a good parade of boats. Know that the launch stops running at 4:30pm (8:00pm on the weekend)… just plan ahead. Good room at the dinghy dock.
It’s pretty much mooring only… there are clean heads and showers but no more than that. Launch service is $5 per head each way, which can add up, but there’s an uncrowded dinghy dock, and for Sag, the mooring fee is modest, in any case. The launch service is reliable and responsive and they showed us to our mooring on arrival. The mooring field is well protected by the breakwater and was super quiet and traffic free. There’s a small pet friendly beach near the dinghy dock if your pup likes a morning swim. Easy trash disposal there, too.
Safe Harbor never disappoints. Safe Harbor Mystic's staff is great and attentive. The facility is well maintained, including the all important heads and showers. It's a short walk to restaurants and shops, and the Mystic Seaport Museum. On short notice, they competently installed a water pump, which had me on my way the next day. We'll definitely stay there again.
Dutch Harbor is our go to whether exploring Narragansett Bay or as a stopover going further east or west. It's quiet and laid back... but an east walk to pizza, supermarket, ICE CREAM, and more. It's also a further but easy walk to the busy side of Jamestown, where you can get the ferry to (much busier) Newport. Great staff, reliable launch, good clean showers and heads. Highly recommended.
Safe Harbor staff never disappoints. They provided detailed instructions for navigating into Onset and to the marina, including a mooring assignment and directions. Nice to get gate/heads/showers code in advance, too. The marina’s basic boatyard; nothing fancy, but it serves its purpose. A short easy walk into town.
The launch and office staff are great and the facility is first class. I inadvertently booked a slip instead of a mooring and the adjustment was made and a credit issued without question. We'll be back. Update for 2021: Great to be remembered. The staff is great and COVID restrictions are gone. We’ve happily extended our stay. And back again for three days in 2023. The marina remains first class
Menemsha never disappoints. We were rafted on a mooring night one and the harbor master accommodated our request to raft port side to. Night two we shifted to a slip where the harbor master gave us major assistance backing between pilings in a crosswind. The small fishing village of Menemsha is a gem.
Bristol doesn’t disappoint as an interesting, friendly town worthy of a multi-day stay. But for the exposure of the harbor to the prevailing SW wind, it gets a full five stars… but be prepared to bounce and have a wet dinghy ride more often than not.
Safe Harbor Sakonnett offered a relaxing two-day respite during our recent four-week cruise. The facility is first rate, as is the staff. The pool was an unexpected pleasurer. The marina's in a neighborhood and there's no local anything other than a modest convenience store, so be prepared. We were back for a second year and the marina remains first rate. Groceries ordered from Stop & Shop came right to the marina, so no concerns for provisions. It’s a great stop if you’re cruising and need a do-nothing day or two.
Plymouth Safe Harbor is a well maintained facility convenient to town. The staff was expecting us and was there to handle our lines. The marina's customers were as friendly to transients as any we've encountered.
We had a nice, relaxing stay. Great service from the staff, including prompt pickup from the launch. Very dog friendly. About a mile walk into town (along relatively quiet roads). The launch stops at seven, so plan accordingly if you’re out for dinner. The mooring field is open to the north and east, and an occasional wake rolls in from the larger ships.
The Plymouth Yacht Club doesn't disappoint. The members are friendly to transients and the launch crew is top notch. Extra credit this time: my dinghy liberated itself and was drifting through the mooring field. A quick call to the launch and they were out ASAP to recover it.