Overlooked by many boaters, Mount Hope Bay offers a host of attractive spots in which to wile away a dayor weekon the water. By Capt. Dave Bill; Photography by Cate Brown
Mount Hope Bay, shared by Massachusetts and Rhode Island, doesnt get a lot of attention from boaters. But it should. The bay is filled with interesting places to dock, drop an anchor or explore in a small boat, so you could fill an entire week visiting a new spot every day.
Every summer, I spend a significant amount of time on the bay aboard a 36-foot Union cutter, so Ive gotten to know and love this body of water, which offers everything from interesting things to see and do to great dock-and-dine restaurants to scenic spots where one can drop the hook and take a dip. Here are some of my favorite places to visit, as well as some points of interest.
The main gateway to Mount Hope Bay (which is named after a small hill on its western shore) is via the center span of the Mount Hope Bridge, with Hog Island Shoal to port and Musselbed Shoals to starboard. You can also enter, from the north, via the Taunton River, and from the south, via the Sakonnet River. Although the Army Corps of Engineers maintains a 35-foot-deep shipping channel through the bay up to Fall River, be mindful of navigational aids that mark obstructions such as Spar Island or Old Bay Rock. If sailing, youll also need to plan your itinerary around the strong tidal currents.
FALL RIVIERA
The city of Fall River, once a thriving textile center, often gets a bad rap, but it offers a treasure trove of things to do and see. One if the main attractions is Battleship Cove, home to the worlds largest collection of World War II naval vessels, including the battleship Massachusetts and the attack submarine USS Lionfish. Reserve a mooring through the harbormasters office and you can spend the night in the shadow of these historic warships.
If you wish to explore downtown Fall River, you can tie up at the public dinghy dock on the south end of Battleship Cove. If traveling with small children, dont miss a ride on the 1920-built Fall River Carousel. You can also stroll along the waterfront boardwalk through Fall River Heritage State Park or take in a show at the Narrows Center for the Arts, a premier destination for the visual and performing arts.
Few people realize that Fall River was an important stop on the Fall River Line, a combination steamboat and railroad route between New York City and Boston from 1847 to 1937. The steamboats of the FRL were some of the most advanced and luxurious of the day, and you can learn more about this era at the Marine Museum and Visitors Center in Heritage State Park.
DOCK & DINES
Mount Hope Bay also has a couple of dock-and- dine options worth checking out. My favorites are The Cove in Fall River and The Boathouse in Tiverton. Both offer transient dockage, plus some pretty good food. Its best to call ahead at The Cove to arrange a space, but its first come, first-served at The Boathouses pier.
If youre in the mood for a party atmosphere, take a funky detour into Borden Light Marina, directly east of Borden Flats Lighthouse. The marina always has a few slips available for transients or free dockage for daytrippers on either side of the Tipsy Seagull, the marinas double-decker floating pub and restaurant. Take in the sunset while sipping a Tipsy Sunset and enjoying a Seagull Stuffy appetizer. You can also take the gratis Tipsy Taxi, a 1972 four-door Cadillac convertible, to visit downtown Fall River. In late August, Borden Light Marina plays host to the Fall River Grand Prix, New Englands only offshore powerboat race. Contestants compete for $35,000 in prize money on a 2 1/2 -mile course on the bay and lower Taunton River.
RENT-A-LIGHT
Approaching the Braga Bridge, which connects Fall River to the town of Somerset, youll notice the white-and-red, 47-foot tower of Borden Flats Light, which marks Borden Flats shoal. Built in 1881, the light is now privately owned and available for overnight stays. Renters can take a water taxi from Borden Light Marina to access the light.
Breathtaking Mount Hope Farm borders Church Cove, on the bays western shore. I regularly anchor in the protected 9-foot hole between Seal Rock and Mount Hope Point. Although there is no public landing on the cove, you can beach a kayak or dinghy along its shore and explore the property. On the north shore of the cove is Cove Cabin, one of the propertys function venues, available to the public for rent.
The farm offers lovely walking trails, a Saturday morning farmers market, gardens, a beautiful bed-and-breakfast and more. History buffs take note that the farm occupies the spiritual grounds of Metacomets Pokanoket tribe. The scenic cove deserves exploration in a kayak or dinghy, and is a great spot to cast for stripers, but larger boats should be careful of the many hidden rocks therein.
THREE RIVERS
The Kickemuit River, in the northwest corner of the bay, is one of my favorite gunkholes, and makes a fine anchorage in any weather. When entering the river, mind the channel markers carefully. Once through Bristol Narrows, the river opens into an expansive area. The center is deepest, with shallow water on all sides, and you can usually find plenty of room to drop the hook.
In the north end of the bay, on either side of Gardiners Neck, are the Cole and Lee Rivers. The Cole is my favorite of the two, with a nice day- anchoring area just off Ocean Grove Beach. You can explore further past the small entrance at the sand spit in a kayak or shoal-draft dinghy. The neighboring Lee River is less attractive than the Cole, plus it lacks a protected anchorage. Still, the upriver areas offer some interesting paddling opportunities.
Mount Hope Bay Names & Numbers
DOCKAGE, MOORINGS & SERVICE
CITY OF FALL RIVER (774) 955-0123
Transient moorings in Battleship Cove, just above the Braga Bridge.
BORDEN LIGHT MARINA (508) 678-7547
Fall River marina offering transient slips, a swimming pool, hot tub, laundry, showers, grills and more. Home of the Tipsy Seagull restaurant and bar.
THE COVE MARINA (508) 672-4540
Transient slips for boats over 25 feet. Onsite restaurant with free tie-up for patrons.
SAFE HARBOR SAKONNET MARINA (401) 683-3551
Full-service marina on the Portsmouth side of the Sakonnet River.
LAUNCH RAMPS
BRISTOL NARROWS, BRISTOL
End of Narrows Road, on the Kickemuit River.
MT. HOPE FISHING ACCESS, BRISTOL
End of Annawamscutt Road in Bristol. Trailer parking available.
SAKONNET BRIDGE, TIVERTON
Public access to the Sakonnet River and lower Mount Hope Bay. Concrete ramp and parking.
BICENTENNIAL PARK, FALL RIVER
Access to the Taunton River and Fall River area. Concrete ramp with floating dock and 46 parking spaces.
GULL COVE, PORTSMOUTH
Public access to The Cove, which opens into the narrows of the Sakonnet River.
WHERE TO EAT
THE COVE (508) 672-4540
Fall River eatery offering good food and transient dockage.
THE BOATHOUSE (401) 624-6300
Tiverton-based restaurant offering upscale cuisine and transient dockage for a small fee.
THE TIPSY SEAGULL (508) 678-7547
Festive dock-and-dine at Borden Light Marina offering live music and outdoor patio overlooking the bay.
THINGS TO SEE & DO
NARROWS CENTER FOR THE ARTS (508) 324-1926
Visual and performing arts venue in Fall River.
FALL RIVER HERITAGE STATE PARK (508) 675-5759
Boardwalk, benches and a 3-acre meadow bordering the Fall River waterfront.
BATTLESHIP COVE (508) 678-1100
Non-profit maritime museum and war memorial featuring the worlds largest collection of World War II naval vessels. Tours available.
FALL RIVER MARITIME MUSEUM (508) 674-3533
Nautical-themed museum featuring memorabilia, artifacts and models of the Fall River Line steamboats and the Titanic
MT. HOPE FARM (401) 254-1745
Wander the public walking trails of this beautiful property in Bristol. Also offers a year-round farmers market, bed and breakfast, and venues for weddings and other events.
Spend the night in this historic lighthouse off Fall River.
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