Rockport Harbor

Marinas near Rockport Harbor

Introduction:

Situated on the northern portion of the Massachusetts Coast just off Sandy Bay, Rockport is more popular as a land-based vacation stop than a water-based place to rest up for the night. Rockport is 30 miles northeast of Boston and 28 miles south of the Massacusetts/New Hampshire state line.

Rockport Harbor is unfortunately a difficult place to find a slip or a mooring to tie up to. Most of the moorings in the harbor are private and guests moorings are not typically available. Slips are very hard to come by as well, but you may be able to arrange some sort of berth or mooring for the night by radioing or calling ahead to the town harbormaster.

The image above is a view from the west looking east over Rockport Harbor and the town of Rockport. Off in the distance in the upper left-hand side of the image is Straitsmouth Island with Old Garden Beach just before it.

History:

Hundred of years ago, Cape Ann was home to a number of Native American villages, inhabited by members of the Agawam tribe. The area that is now Rockport was simply an uninhabited part of Gloucester for more than 100 years, and was primarily used as a source of timber -- especially pine for shipbuilding. The area around Cape Ann was also one of the best fishing grounds in New England, in 1743 a dock was built at Rockport harbor on Sandy Bay and was used for both timber and fishing. By the beginning of the 19th century, the first granite quarries were developed, and by the 1830s, Rockport granite was being shipped to cities and towns throughout the East Coast of the United States.

Today Rockport is primarily a suburban residential and tourist town, but it is still home to a number of lobster fishermen -- known as lobstermen -- and artists. The annulment of the dry town rule will impel the town in becoming a center for expensive, specialty shops, art galleries, and restaurants. Its rocky beaches and seaside parks are a favorite place for visitors to walk and contemplate the power and grandeur of the Atlantic Ocean.

[i]Portions Courtesy Town of Rockport[/i]

Navigating the Water:

Use NOAA Chart 13279.

Sandy Bay, just outside Rockport Harbor, is protected from the northeast by a semi-submerged 1.2-mile long breakwater located just north of Striatsmouth Island and west of Pigeon Cove. When approaching the Rockport area, you must pass either to the north or south of this breakwater. We will discuss both entrances here.

[b]Southern Entrance:[/b]

If you are approaching from the east through the south entrance, you must first place yourself just off the passage between Avery Ledge at the south end of the breakwater and the northern end of Straitsmouth Island. If you are coming into the area from offshore or traveling the area at night, the Straitsmouth Island Lighthouse (46 feet above the water, flashing green every four seconds) provides an excellent guide.

From offshore, first set a course to intercept the area near waypoint N42 29.898 W70 34.607, which is a bout a half-mile east of the passage between Avery Ledge at the south end of the breakwater and the northern end of Straitsmouth Island. From here, set an approximate course of 288 degrees magnetic for about one mile. This will take you past flashing red buoy “2” at Avery Ledge (the south end of the aforementioned breakwater) and the north tip of Straitsmouth Island. At this point, you should be able to see green can “3,” which marks a rock ledge to its south.

From green can buoy “3,” set a course of about 268 degrees magnetic for .5 mile to intercept red nun buoy “4” just northeast of the harbor inlet. From here, flashing red “6” (visible in the image above) marks the harbor entrance on the north inlet Jetty. Controlling depths inside are seven feet.

[b]Northern Entrance:[/b]

The northern entrance is wider and a little bit easier to transit. From the north, first set a course toward flashing green buoy “3,” which is located near waypoint N42 40.823 W70 36.157. Once you have arrived in the area of the buoy, make sure that you leave it decidedly to port heading south. From flashing green buoy “3,”set a course of about 214 degrees magnetic for approximately 1.3 miles to pick up red nun buoy “4” just northeast of the Rockport Harbor entrance. From here, flashing red “6” (visible in the image above) marks the harbor entrance on the north inlet Jetty. Controlling depths inside are seven feet.

Local Notices to Mariners:

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

Things To Do/Local Events:

In addition to the local water-related activities, there are a number of events that go on in town during the summer season. For a detailed calendar of events, check out the "Helpful Links" section below.

Transportation:

The Newburyport/Rockport line of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) runs to and from Rockport to points south, including Boston, where you can catch a flight out of Logan International Airport. For detailed transportation schedules and links to arrange shuttle transportation to Logan, check out the "Helpful Links" section below.

Helpful Links:

Rockport Chamber of Commerce

Town of Rockport

Rockport Calendar of Events

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority