Land Ho!

A handy resource of some of the islands and coves around Narragansett Bay to whet your appetite for adventure

Aquidneck Island

Coasters Harbor Island

Conanicut Island

Cornelius Island

Despair Island

The Dumplings

Dutch Island

Dyer Island

Fox Island

Goat Island

Gould Island

Greene Island

Hen Island

Hog Island

Hope Island

Lime Rock

Patience Island

Prudence Island

Rabbit Island

Rock Island

Rose Island

Rye Island

Spectacle Island

Starve Goat Island

Tommy Island

Whale Rock

Allins Cove

Belcher Cove

Bullock’s Cove

Cedar Cove

Chase Cove Church Cove

Coggeshall Cove

Drown Cove

Gooseneck Cove

Gull Cove

Hundred Acre Cove

Little Pond Cove

Mackerel Cove

Potter Cove

Providence Point

Safe Harbor Cove Haven

Smith Cove

Usher Cove

Walker Cover beyond to closer-to-home sails, planning an adventure with this concierge style service cuts out the clutter when finding a boat that’ll work for your duo, family, or group.

One of the best ways to see Prudence and nine other Narragansett Bay islands from afar along other local islands is aboard Rhode Island Fast Ferry’s 90-minute lighthouse cruise. This narrated sightseeing cruise on a catamaran sails past Fox Island, Dutch Island, Jamestown, Rose Island, Coasters Harbor Island, Gould Island, and Hope Island, in addition to the bigger Aquidneck Island and Goat Island. You’ll also see 10 local lighthouses and cool sights like Clingstone, the famous “house on the rock” near Jamestown on one of the outcroppings called “The Dumplings.” (Fun fact: Mumford & Sons shot a music video in the house in 2018 for their song “Guiding Light”).

For paddlers, on the north end of Portsmouth is Gull Cove, better known as “The Cove,” with typically calm waters along the coastline ideal for kayaking and even standup paddleboarding, though the deeper parts of the tidal currents can be strong. (Insider’s tip: early mornings here are extraordinarily peaceful.) Make ample time to explore the many coves and channels in this large tidal estuary, which in many areas is quite shallow, so you’ll only find small craft (and plenty of folks fishing and clamming) here. The cove is home to Rye Island, Tommy Island, Hen Island, and Spectacle Island, which you can paddle around. If don’t own a personal watercraft, have a roof rack on top of your vehicle, ratchet straps, or have space to store what can be a cumbersome piece of equipment, have no fear – Mobile Kayaks can solve that very problem, delivering kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) to designated launches in the area. On the opposite end of Aquidneck Island,

Mobile Kayaks delivers to Gooseneck Cove in Newport, where the salt marshes are vibrant habitats for fish, birds, and other wildlife. Located at Green Bridge on Ocean Drive, the area is a coastal New England postcard brought to life, hence you’ll see plenty of folks snapping photos, lingering about (i.e. taking selfies), or even perched opposite an easel for plein air painting. Mansion gawking is common here, but your best vantage point of these architectural behemoths, including Jay Leno’s Seafair, locally dubbed “Hurricane Hut,” is by the water. Mobile Kayaks are especially convenient here as parking is scarce. With numerous places to explore by water in Newport, a SUP is a great option. Island Adventures o ers sturdy, portable inflatable SUPs (and kayaks) you can rent and launch on your own. A scenic spot to explore is Brenton Cove which you can access easily by launching from Fort Adams State Park. The company also has a location at the Newport Harbor Island Resort, which o ers a protected area that’s ideal for first-timers getting the hang of it. Here you can also take a guided SUP tour or even take a SUP yoga class.

Traditionally held the last Saturday in July, hundreds of watercraft descend on Potter’s Cove, from the brag-worthy to the drag-worthy, with plenty rafting up to one another in large, sometimes debaucherous rows. Food is shared. Drinks are shared. Other things are shared. And speakers compete for airwaves. It’s a day-long a air that keeps boaters and their brood coming back for more.