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Fort Wetherill State
Park
Location: Narragansett Bay,
Jamestown, RI
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.
Cost
Directions
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. |
