Reviews: Port Washington Mooring Field

Reviewed by: Melinda Zehr , Surface Interval, on Jul 24, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 4

What a great stop! We picked up one of the yellow morning balls near the Waterway Guide symbol; they are first-come first-serve. Once secured, check in by calling the taxi service, 516-767-1691 and likely Carlene will answer and fill you in on details of the mooring, water taxi and town. First night is free, but if you use the water taxi it is $8 per person. Subsequent nights are $35 and the water taxi is then free. There's water and pump out on the north side of the town dock, but we didn't use either since the water level at the dock can be low, especially at low tide. There's also a pump out boat available 9 am-3 pm Thurs-Sun. Stop and Shop grocery is a short walk, as are a number of stores like TJ Maxx and West Marine. A good selection of restaurants are close to shore, but there are more (including several Mediterranean options) up the hill in old town. We walked .8 mile to the train station to spend the day in New York City. We got back in town before the water taxi service shut down at 9:45 pm.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Malcolm Rubel on May 31, 2023
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

This mooring field is listed as a marina. This area is also listed as an anchorage which it is. Both managed by the Town launch (VHF Channel 09) that will pick you up at your boat and take you to several different places on shore and return you to your boat for $8 per person. If you pick up a yellow town mooring ball, the first night is free but you pay for launch service. After that it is $35 per day including unlimited launch service (last run is 2145 hrs.) The mooring field is well maintained and there is ample room between the moorings so you do not feel cramped at all. There is plenty of depth on approach but pay attention to the markers for best water. The anchorage is well protected from all directions except West where it should be considered only "good." "No Wake" courtesy was observed by 95% of the boaters while we were there. Cell service is excellent for all three carriers. There are no traditional marina services available but you can get a free pump out and water available at the North Hempstead Town Dock,

There is a large grocery store, pharmacy and a liquor store a half a mile from the north landing dock. There is a laundromat and a West Marine store about a mile away. We did not eat out but looking at Google and the reviews there is quite an nice assortment of cuisines and restaurants.

This is the ideal place to stage for your run through New York City on your way out into Long Island Sound. We came up from Great Kills Harbor at the beginning of the flood tide and made it to Port Washington in a little over five hours in less than ideal weather. Definitely a place to come back to.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Noel Leeson , Amazing Grace, on Dec 14, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Anchored among the moored boats. Sand bar protected from the northerly fetch. Some wake from recreational fishing boats.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Ernest Peek on Dec 14, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 49'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

Yellow moorings are free for first night. Water taxi monitors channel 9. Stop and shop across road from taxi dock and West Marine is 9 min walk to west.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Captain Gene , Galene, on Dec 14, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

July 1 2022 First night is free. If you then use water taxi is $8 round trip per person. If you pay for the mooring on second day (which is now $35) that includes your water taxi rides for that day only. Restaurants only a short walk from town dock. Good Hardware store a ten minute walk. Water taxi can pick up/drop you off by North town dock which is just across the street from very good well stocked grocery store. You can also just take your dingy there. Wonderful town to visit or stage your travels into the east river of sound.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Johan on Dec 14, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 54'
Draft: 7.0'

Rating: 5

Port Washington mooring balls free first night then $35 which includes free water taxi rides. Easy restaurants, shopping and shore access. Anchorage is excellent - black mud (heavy chain cleaning but excellent holding).

If you are an open water sailor then this has 360 degree protection from wind fetch. If a day sailor it is still pretty protected 360 degrees with a slightly longer fetch on a NW or SW.

Water taxi is very responsive. Runs 8am to 9:45pm.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Mark Mark C Summers on Dec 14, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

First night is no longer free on moorings. Rate is now $35 / night. Still reasonable for the area but with plenty of room to anchor no reason to spend the money.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer