Scubarescuepd
Registered
Fort Wetherill Rhode Island Dive/Road trip
June 21-23 2002
Fort Wetherill is a state park that has no residency requirement for use of the park. It is about 1 mile south of Jamestown, Rhode Island and not too far from Newport either. Last 2 years we had a great time and great dives.
There are 2 coves where we'll dive. Basically they are protected from the wind and even if one is getting hit by the wind the other is usually not. The worst wind is out of the South.That's the wind we had last year and the diving was still good.
Bottom composition is sand, pebbles, and rocks so there isn't a lot of silt to stir up. Visibility tends to be from 10 to 25 feet plus!
Aquatic life is numerous. There are lots of lobsters but you need a RI permit and we don't think non residents can get them. One cove has a depth well over a 100 feet while the other has a depth of approx. 35 feet. The bottom slopes gently to the depths. Entry is right from the beach.
We believe it's best to take the Orient Point ferry to New London, and then it's about a 1 hour drive to the state park from there. If you take the 7:00 am ferry you should be at the park by 9:30am. We'll do a morning dive then have a BBQ and then an afternoon dive. The water is there to dive whenever you want so when to dive is up to you.Although the park closes at dark so night dives are out. There are hotels and restaurants in the area so that's
an option for you as well. Some of us are driving up the day before and making a whole weekend out of it. You may want to just drive up for the day. Whatever you want to do is up to you. Newport is about 10 minutes away. A beautiful summer vacation area with wonderful shops and restaurants,so non-divers should have a great time as well.
Ferry Service.
The Orient point ferry schedule and info can be found at:
www.longislandferry.com
or call: (631) 323-2525
The current ferry schedule has departures from Orient Point beginning at 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM every hour on the hour and an additional departure at 9:45PM.
The return ferry from New London has departures also from 7:00AM to 9:00 PM every hour on the hour. The ferry schedule can change so verify the schedule. The ferry company will accept reservations using a Visa, MasterCard or Discover credit card. There is a CANCELLATION fee if the reservation is canceled. The fee is higher if you cancel on the day of the reservation. A reservation is highly recommended especially in the summer months. Be at the ferry at least a ½ hour before departure or your reservation may be canceled.
Some Area Hotels
*Bay Voyage Inn (Bed & Breakfast)150 Bay View Dr.Jamestown RI (401).423.1886
*Best Western Inn 151 Admiral Kalbfus Rd.Newport RI, (401).849.9880
( Newport side of bridge 10 min away )
*Pineapple Inn 372 Coddington Highway Newport, RI (401) 847-2600 (10 minutesaway)
*Motel 6. 249 Connell Hwy.Newport RI (401).848.0600
( over bridge 10 min away )
*Howard Johnson 351 W.Main Rd. Middletown RI. (401)849.2000 ( over bridge 10 min away)
*Hamilton Village Inn North Kingstoen (15 minutes away)(401) 295-0700 (800) 596-0003
*Holiday Inn Saunderstown RI. Direct # (401) 789-1051 National Toll free(800) 465-4329 ( near 138 & Route 1 junct. approx 15 min away from dive site )
CAMPING (401) 423.7211 Jamestown dept. of Rec.The closest campground is Fort Getty on Jamestown Island. Areas for tents, pop-ups and motor homes. Bathroom and shower facilities
Dive shop
Ocean State Scuba hours 9-6 Saturday 9-5 Sunday
79 N. Main Road Jamestown RI, (401) 423-1662
Rhode Island Tourism (800) 556-2484 website www.visitrhodeisland.com
Jeff Bachmann
(631) 842-3432
Bachas@msn.com
June 21-23 2002
Fort Wetherill is a state park that has no residency requirement for use of the park. It is about 1 mile south of Jamestown, Rhode Island and not too far from Newport either. Last 2 years we had a great time and great dives.
There are 2 coves where we'll dive. Basically they are protected from the wind and even if one is getting hit by the wind the other is usually not. The worst wind is out of the South.That's the wind we had last year and the diving was still good.
Bottom composition is sand, pebbles, and rocks so there isn't a lot of silt to stir up. Visibility tends to be from 10 to 25 feet plus!
Aquatic life is numerous. There are lots of lobsters but you need a RI permit and we don't think non residents can get them. One cove has a depth well over a 100 feet while the other has a depth of approx. 35 feet. The bottom slopes gently to the depths. Entry is right from the beach.
We believe it's best to take the Orient Point ferry to New London, and then it's about a 1 hour drive to the state park from there. If you take the 7:00 am ferry you should be at the park by 9:30am. We'll do a morning dive then have a BBQ and then an afternoon dive. The water is there to dive whenever you want so when to dive is up to you.Although the park closes at dark so night dives are out. There are hotels and restaurants in the area so that's
an option for you as well. Some of us are driving up the day before and making a whole weekend out of it. You may want to just drive up for the day. Whatever you want to do is up to you. Newport is about 10 minutes away. A beautiful summer vacation area with wonderful shops and restaurants,so non-divers should have a great time as well.
Ferry Service.
The Orient point ferry schedule and info can be found at:
www.longislandferry.com
or call: (631) 323-2525
The current ferry schedule has departures from Orient Point beginning at 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM every hour on the hour and an additional departure at 9:45PM.
The return ferry from New London has departures also from 7:00AM to 9:00 PM every hour on the hour. The ferry schedule can change so verify the schedule. The ferry company will accept reservations using a Visa, MasterCard or Discover credit card. There is a CANCELLATION fee if the reservation is canceled. The fee is higher if you cancel on the day of the reservation. A reservation is highly recommended especially in the summer months. Be at the ferry at least a ½ hour before departure or your reservation may be canceled.
Some Area Hotels
*Bay Voyage Inn (Bed & Breakfast)150 Bay View Dr.Jamestown RI (401).423.1886
*Best Western Inn 151 Admiral Kalbfus Rd.Newport RI, (401).849.9880
( Newport side of bridge 10 min away )
*Pineapple Inn 372 Coddington Highway Newport, RI (401) 847-2600 (10 minutesaway)
*Motel 6. 249 Connell Hwy.Newport RI (401).848.0600
( over bridge 10 min away )
*Howard Johnson 351 W.Main Rd. Middletown RI. (401)849.2000 ( over bridge 10 min away)
*Hamilton Village Inn North Kingstoen (15 minutes away)(401) 295-0700 (800) 596-0003
*Holiday Inn Saunderstown RI. Direct # (401) 789-1051 National Toll free(800) 465-4329 ( near 138 & Route 1 junct. approx 15 min away from dive site )
CAMPING (401) 423.7211 Jamestown dept. of Rec.The closest campground is Fort Getty on Jamestown Island. Areas for tents, pop-ups and motor homes. Bathroom and shower facilities
Dive shop
Ocean State Scuba hours 9-6 Saturday 9-5 Sunday
79 N. Main Road Jamestown RI, (401) 423-1662
Rhode Island Tourism (800) 556-2484 website www.visitrhodeisland.com
Jeff Bachmann
(631) 842-3432
Bachas@msn.com
