Apponagansett Bay Inlet

About

Introduction:

Apponagansett Bay is about four miles southwest of New Bedford, 19 miles southwest of the Cape Cod Canal, and about 20 miles northeast of Newport, RI. Apponagansett Bay is home to the town of of South Dartmouth, which has an excellent array of marinas, marine repair services and provisioning opportunities. There are six marinas in the Apponogansett Bay area, and most of them are concentrated around the South Dartmouth waterfront. Unfortunately, of the six marinas in the area, only two accept transient guests - Davis and Tripp Co. and Concordia yachts. You may be able to arrange transient space with the other marinas, but you will need to call ahead for availability.

The image above is a view from the southeast looking northwest over the mouth of Apponogansett Bay. To the right (north) of the bay inlet is the Ricketsons Point breakwater, while the expansive South Dartmouth mooring field can be seen in the center portion of the bay. Also on the right side of the bay farther back in the image above is the South Dartmouth waterfront, which can be seen just prior to the swing bridge (eight foot closed vertical clearance, call for opening schedule) that crosses the bay virtually splitting it into two halves.

Navigating the Water:

Use NOAA Chart 13230.

From Buzzards Bay, the approach to Apponagansett Bay is started at flashing red bell buoy "8," just east of Round Hill Point. When approaching this light, be sure to steer clear of the ledges at The Stanspit just to the west. After you have cleared flashing red bell buoy "8," set a course for flashing red and green buoy "AB" (making sure to stay clear of the rock ledge at White Rocks), and then head in toward flashing red "8" on the northern jetty at Ricketsons Point.

Once inside the jetty at Ricketsons Point, depths range from seven to 13 feet all the way up to the swing bridge (eight foot closed vertical clearance, call for opening schedule). Prior to the bridge, you will find the town of South Dartmouth, which has a variety of facilities for provisioning, plus a couple of top-rate marinas. Past the swing bridge, depths shallow quickly to two to four-foot depths, but this area is very well protected and used by many boats for anchorage.

Local Notices to Mariners:

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