Stonington, Connecticut · Fishers Island Sound & the East End · 41°20.1′N 71°54.3′W · VHF Ch 68
Stonington is the last town in Connecticut and one of its prettiest — a working fishing fleet, a borough of colonial houses, and a harbor sheltered behind a pair of stone breakwaters.
Anchor behind the breakwaters in 9–14 ft of mud, or take a Dodson Boat Yard mooring (Ch 68). Protection is good from the west and north, but the harbor opens south and a strong southerly rolls in — work up toward the north end for the calmest night. Dodson is a first-rate yard, and the borough's restaurants and shops are a short dinghy to the town dock.
A genuine, unpretentious New England harbor with a real fishing fleet and an easy walk into a beautiful old town.
Hazards & cautions. Open to the south between the breakwaters — a strong southerly sends swell up the harbor and it gets rolly; favor the north end behind the inner breakwater. The outer harbor holds well but is exposed to that southerly fetch.
Coast Pilot notes Stonington Harbor is protected by breakwaters but open to the south; anchorage holding is good in mud.
No cruiser reports yet. If you've anchored here, be the first — your note helps the next boat in.
Augusto ratings and editorial are our own synthesis of public-domain sources and cruiser reports. Always verify against current charts and local knowledge before you rely on them.