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Fort Wetherill State Park

Location: Narragansett Bay, Jamestown, RI

Type of Dive: Shore Dive

Photo of Cove at Ft. Wetherill General Description: Part of the Rhode Island Park System, the dive sites consist of two rocky coves separated by a peninsula and a small rocky island. The cove to the east of the peninsula is West Cove and the cove to the west of the peninsula is Sandy Beach Cove (shown at right). Usually the coves provide protection from the rougher water in Narragansett Bay. Sandy Beach Cove has a boat launch ramp. The shore area is lined with boulders and the basins generally consist of relatively coarse sand. Eelgrass beds may be seen in the headwaters of the coves. During the late summer and fall it is not unusual to see young-of-the-year tropical fish. Typical dive depths range from 20 to 40 feet, although it is possible to exceed 75 feet on the eastern slope of the island.

Tip on Diving the Site: West Cove has a relatively difficult entry through a rocky shallow area, while Sandy Beach Cove has a much easier entry, but a longer swim to deep water.

Getting There from Points West: Follow I-95 North* to Rhode Island. Take exit 3, Rte. 138 east. Follow this for about 15 miles. It will join Rte. 1 north. About 2 miles later it will split off heading east toward Newport. Follow it across the bridge to Conanicut Island. Take the second or third exit - before the toll plaza for the Newport bridge - and drive south through town (you'll pass the harbor on your left). Keep going until you reach a fork in the road with a big sign that says "Ft. Wetherill State Park." Follow the sign left. The parking lot will be on your right.

*If you're starting near I-84, follow it east through Waterbury CT, then take I-691, which turns into route 66. At Middletown take 9 south to I-95. It's just about 3 hours from Danbury, CT.

What Other People Have to Say About Fort Wetherill:

From Rick D'Amico
Photo by Dave Lindsay
Links found & directions supplied by Anne Judge

Last updated june 18, 2006. Contact TSSC’s webmaster with updates or corrections.