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Great Salt Pond - Block Island

Location: Block Island Sound
Mile Marker: Block Island
Lat / Lon: N 41° 11.110' / W 071° 34.425'
Depth: 12-15 ft
Description:
Chain is especially appropriate here and adequate scope is a must in depths of 20 to 50 feet with a grassy bottom. Launch service is available to boats anchored out. Dinghy dockage is also available at floats located at Champlins Resort and Marina and Block Island Boat Basin. The Frederick Benson Town Beach pavilion is reached via an easy (motorized) dinghy ride to the east side of the pond, where you can beach at the town wooden walkway over the marsh grass, midway along this undeveloped stretch of the pond. From there, it is a short trek across the road and dunes to the beach and south to the pavilion. Showers are available for a fee, as well as numerous private changing rooms.

4.25

(4)

4.25 out of 5 stars

Holding:

3.75

Fair, Grass, Sand

Wind Protection:

3.75

Somewhat exposed N

Current Flow:

4.33

Wake Protection:

3.67

Somewhat exposed N

Scenic Beauty:

4.25

Ease of Shopping:

2.67

Shore Access:

4.67

Pet Friendly:

5.00

Cell Service:

3.75

WiFi:

2.33

Review for Great Salt Pond - Block Island

Reviewed by: Martin Blanchard, S/V No Brainer, on Oct 26, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

5

Cell Service:

5

Spent the night in late October. It's ghost town… there were only 3 boats moored for the night apart from the ones that are there long term. We used a mooring ball and left at noon the next day. Did not bother to go ashore as everything seemed closed.

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Review for Great Salt Pond - Block Island

Reviewed by: Ric Sanders, Toolbox, on Aug 4, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.0'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

3

Wind Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

2

Shore Access:

4

Cell Service:

3

WiFi:

3

Anchored our first night in 30 feet. Took 2 try's to get a set. Weather cell with 25 knt wind expected the next day so we moved to a mooring. It is a very crowed area but mooring was in good condition. Several mooring were available possibly as many boats left due to weather report. Had a wonderful 2 nights.

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Review for Great Salt Pond - Block Island

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Jul 26, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

3

Holding:

3

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

3

Ease of Shopping:

3

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

3

WiFi:

1

Block Island… think "marathon with a screwed up mooring system". Balls are $50 a night for lime green plus a $1.50 service charge. Lots of good eats but it's packed with boats. Getting a mooring ball is next to impossible so assume you will be anchoring when you arrive. Lots of anchored boats dragging in 20 knots of wind. Seek out a boat with a mooring and make friends and then have them hand off the mooring to you. Cellular service is bandwidth challenged. Water is clear and swimmable but not warm. Dock space is such a premium that they raft up to 9-10 boats on a t-head. There is a water boat that will deliver water at 50 cents a gallon or you can drive your dinghy up to a post with a spigot behind the maritime center for free. Pump outs are free, call on 73. Trash is free in the parking lot of the maritime center behind Dirty Dicks. Scooter rental available in the parking lot of "The Oar". The Oar also has a surprisingly decent minimart with most of the foods you need and nothing more… given that the big grocery store has Bahamas prices the prices at the par aren't bad. The oar has a small but decent ship store selection as well. We have found the restaurants surprisingly affordable.

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Review for Great Salt Pond - Block Island

Reviewed by: Tom Hale on Aug 26, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.5'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

5

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

5

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

3

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

4

WiFi:

3

A very popular anchorage, but there is room for several hundred boats to anchor. Stay out of thee mooring field and out of the water sports area on the north end There is a third dinghy dock added in 2018 with room for many dinghies, room available even on the weekends. Many restaurants near by and the village of New Shoreham with shopping and grocery is only a 20 minute walk. Dinghy beach on the east side gives easy access to the public beach on the east side of the Island

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