Captain's Guide
Approach
- Enter Connecticut River at Saybrook Breakwater Light (river mouth).
- Run ~5 nm upriver to Essex Harbor.
- Follow buoyed channel closely — shoaling near riverbanks.
Essex Harbor
- Located just upriver of Nott Island (harbor to port).
- Depths: 8–12 ft in channel/mooring areas.
- Sheltered anchorage, busy in season.
Docking & Mooring
Moorings
Essex Boat Works or Essex Yacht Club.
Dockage
Safe Harbor Essex Island
Safe Harbor Dauntless
Launch Service
In season, covers mooring field
Port Quirks
Port Quirks
- Currents: 2–3 knots, stronger on ebb. Plan docking at slack if possible.
- Sandbars: Stay in channel; do not cut markers.
- Traffic: Heavy on summer weekends, including ferries & tour boats.
- Night Entry: Channel well-lit, but Essex Harbor is tight.