Anchorage

Mackeral Cove Beach

Shelter: NW, N, NE, W, E, SW, SE
Seabed: sand, mud
Anchoring: Allowed

Cove on the east side of the isthmus that links Beavertail to the main body of Conanicut Island, Jamestown, in Narragansett Bay.

Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Sheltered from the currents of Narragansett Bay, with little swell inside the cove. A no-wake zone runs closer to the beach. Dutch Harbor Boat Yard lies 0.7 mile to the north, Conanicut Marina 1 mile to the north-east.

Practical

A day anchorage popular with sailing boats and motor boats, sand and mud bottom. No facilities for visiting boats in the cove itself; fuel, water and berths are at the two yards nearby.

Ashore

Mackerel Cove Beach, also called Jamestown Town Beach, runs about 2,000 feet of sand behind the anchorage and is guarded by lifeguards in summer. The road to Beavertail Lighthouse and its state park starts at the south end of the beach.

History

The town beach occupies the low isthmus that joins the two parts of Conanicut Island, named for the schools of mackerel once netted in these waters.

Key facts

Type: Anchorage
Coordinates: 41.48501, -71.38265 (41°29.10'N 71°22.96'W)
Country: United States
Shelter: Sheltered from north-west, north, north-east, west, east, south-west, south-east winds
Seabed: sand, mud
Anchoring: Allowed
Services: Beach
Boaters' rating: 5.0/5
Updated: July 7, 2026