Wakefield Harbor

Marinas near Wakefield Harbor

Introduction:

Wakefield is located at the northernmost point of Point Judith Pond (known to locals as Salt Pond). Wakefield is 10 miles southwest of Newport and nearly 30 miles south of Providence. Most of the area around Wakefield is filled with private moorings, so there is not much room for anchoring, but for what it lacks in anchoring room, it makes up for in marinas. There are several fine facilities here, and a couple of them have very nice parts/ships supply shops in case you need to stock up on spares.

Navigating the Water:

Use NOAA Chart 13219.

To reach Wakefield you must first enter from the Atlantic Ocean at Point Judith Harbor of Refuge. There are two breaks in the outer jetty, and either entrance is safe for passage (although the east entrance is deeper). Inside at the Point Judith Harbor of Refuge, there is a designated anchorage behind the “V-” shaped notch in the jetty, but holding is poor, especially in windy weather.

From the Atlantic Ocean, first set a course for flashing red “2” and flashing green “3” (horn) on the dividing breakwaters at the west entrance. From here, you will take a sharp turn to port to follow the channel up the west breakwater to the inlet opening itself. Red nun buoys “2,” “4” and “6” mark the channel up to the inlet entrance, which is marked with flashing red “8.”

Depths in the point Judith Harbor of Refuge and in the Point Judith Inlet are about 10 feet, but mariners are advised to use the area with caution. Swift currents, submerged objects and a summertime lawn of lobster pots add to the challenge of navigating here. Once inside, both Galilee and Jerusalem have marinas with transient space.

Once you have cleared the swift running inlet, head north and pick up green can “7” and red nun “8” off Snug Harbor. From here, you will follow (strictly) the following buoys to Crown Point, about a mile away: green can “9,” green can “11,” red nun “12,” red nun “14,” green can “15.” red nun “16,” green can “17,” red nun “18,” green can “19,” red nun “20,” red nun “22” (at Plato Island), red nun “24” (at Gardner Island) and green can “10” south of Crown Point. From here, you will favor the east side of Point Judith Pond to intercept red nun “26” at Pine Tree Point near The Narrows, and then work your way into Wakefield, paying close attention to all the markers.

Local Notices to Mariners:

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