You've Got Some Options On The Lower Connecticut River

The lower Connecticut River has been called one of the last great places on Earth. For boaters who’d like to explore the region, Old Saybrook, at the river’s mouth, and Essex, 6 miles upstream, are good places to start.

- Steve Knauth

Old Saybrook, settled in 1635, is a bustling town of 10,000 offering everything from fast food to fine dining, popular shops to the performing arts, all within easy distance of its many marinas. Essex, long ago a part of the Old Saybrook colony, retains its New England charm and has been voted one of America’s best small towns. The quiet, tree-lined streets and beautiful New England homes make it a wonderful walking town. Essex is also home to one of the most scenic harbors on the river, while three marinas provide just about any service a boater might require.

Enter the Connecticut River between the two breakwaters off Saybrook Point, marked by the Saybrook Breakwater Light. The 410-mile river spills into Long Island Sound with a lot of force on an outgoing tide, so use caution on your approach. Note that the east side of the lower river is shallow and dotted with old stone shad piers just below the surface; pay strict attention to the channel markers as you cruise upstream.