Local Info

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(under construction and constantly changing)

This information is not meant to be a comprehensive listing. This is just a sampling of some of the local launch sites and flavor in the North Shore of Mass and Seacoast region of NH and Maine. Please don't call us for directions or specific parking information; you are on your own for that. Use this information wisely, please. It works best in combination with common sense, conservative judgment and a good kayak skills course or courses taught by a experienced and qualified instructor.

Launch Sites and Parking information

Parking and Access are the biggest hurdles to paddling around the North Shore and Seacoast regions. There are lots of launch sites with limited parking. In some locations, parking is designated for residents only, and we have not included launch sites with no non- resident parking.

Mass

• Essex Town Landing (limited parking behind police station on Rt 22). Rt 133/Main Street in Essex, Mass.
• Pavilion Beach, Ipswich (ample parking). Jeffrey's Neck Rd at the mouth of the Ipswich River between great and Little Necks
• Gloucester High School Public Boat Ramp (summers and school year weekend parking in marked areas)
• Gloucester Harbor Public Boat Launch/Pavilion Beach (on street parking)
• Cashman Park, Newburyport (ample parking). Off Water Street.
• Swampscott Fish House , Swampscott (off street parking lot nearby)
• Riverhead Beach, Marblehead (limited parking)
• Lane's Cove, Lanesville (limited parking). Off Rt 127 in Lanesville/Gloucester, Mass.
• Old Granite Pier, Rockport (fee to park in summer months). Rt 127 north of downtown Rockport, Mass

NH

• Goat Island, Portsmouth (limited parking). Rt 1B by Kittery Point Yacht Club and Newcastle Island, NH
• Peirce Island, Portsmouth (fee to launch in summer months, ample parking). Next to Prescott Park in Portsmouth, NH.
• Witch Creek, Odiorne Point State Park (fee to park in summer months, ample parking). Rt 1A, Rye, NH

Maine

• Traip Academy (summer and school year weekends only parking), Kittery. Williams Rd off Rt 103, Kittery, Me.
• Strawberry Island, York Harbor (limited parking). By intersection of Rt 103 and the York River in York, Me.
• Eastern Prom, Portland( ample parking )
• Mousam River Boat Launch, Wells Beach, Me (public launch site reasonable parking)
• Goose Rocks, Cape Porpoise, Me (limited parking)

Tide and Currents

Locally strong tidal currents, rip areas, and sand bars are major hazards in the area. Major danger areas are rivermouths. Rivers like the Piscataqua, Merrimack, Ipswich and Essex empty into the ocean against incoming swell and waves and often have large and powerful rip areas and sandbars which can be extremely dangerous. It is imperative that you know when high tide, low tide and maximum ebb or flood currents occur on the day or days of your trip, and plan conservatively.

• www.maineharbors.com
• www.tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov
• Reed's Nautical Almanac (annual publication)
• Eldridge Guide (annual publication)

Weather

Thunderstorms and fog in the warmer weather and Nor' easters and high wind in the colder seasons are the major weather hazards in this area. Check both the land and the marine forecast before you go.

• www.maineharbors.com
• www.weatherunderground.com
• Marine VHF weather forecast radio frequencies 162.425 (Gloucester, Ma and Stratham, NH),162.55 (Falmouth, Me), 162.475 (Boston, Ma)
• NOAA telephone forecasts  Taunton, Ma 508 822 0634. Gray, Me 207 688 3210

Charts

NOAA charts

13275 Salem, Lynn, Marblehead harbors

13276 Salem, Marblehead, Beverly Harbors

13279 Ipswich to Gloucester

13282 Plum Island Sound to Newburyport

13283 Portsmouth Harbor to Cape Neddick and Isles of Shoals

13286 Portsmouth to Cape Elizabeth

Maptech Waterproof Charts

 #84 Marblehead to Cape Ann

 #83 Merrimack River and Plum Island Sound

#27 Portsmouth Great Bay and Isles of Shoals

Harbor Master and CG station information

USCG Station Boston 617 223 3025, 617 223 5750 emergency

USCG Station Gloucester 978 283 0705, 978 283 0704 emergency

USCG Station Merrimack River 978 462 3428, 978 465 0731 emergency

USCG Station Portsmouth NH  603 436 4415

Harbormasters

Lynn  MA 781 592 5821,781 593 9850 emergency

Nahant MA 781 581 0626,781 581 0069 emergency

Marblehead MA 978 631 2386

Salem MA 978 741 5641,978 741 0098 emergency

Beverly MA 978 921 6059

Manchester by the Sea 978 526 7832

Gloucester MA  978 282 3012

Rockport  MA  978 546 9589

Essex  MA

Ipswich MA  978 356 4343

Newbury MA 978 463 9360, 978 462 4440 emergency

Newburyport MA  978 462 3746

Portsmouth NH  603  436 8500

Kittery ME  207 439 0912 (dock phone)

York ME  207 363 1010

Local Events   

• Run of the Charles, Boston Mass late April
• Essex River Race, Essex, Mass mid May
• Peaks Island Race, Portland Harbor Maine late June
• Blackburn Challenge Gloucester Mass mid July
• St. Peter's  Festival Gloucester Mass late June
• BCU Week VT July
• BCU Week ME Sept
• Gerrish Island Race, Gerrish Island Me Sept/October