Nature, up close
Wequetequock Cove is a place of rare beauty and tranquility
Wequetequock Cove
Wequetequock Cove is a sheltered embayment and estuary, flowing into Little Narragansett Bay. The cove is 1.75 miles total length and 1 mile to the train bridge. There are 4 Osprey nest sites viewable from the cove and it’s tributaries, and you will see the Osprey parents fishing to feed the chicks. There are Kingfishers that guard and work their territory, and watching them dive after prey never gets old. Great Blue Herron are our daily companions and have an almost spiritual presence.
The Avalonia Preserves
Avalonia’s Wequetequock Cove Preserve is on 17 acres of waterfront on the eastern shore of the cove. It’s an easy paddle from Stonington Marina, and provides an interesting landing spot. Paffard Marsh Preserve is reachable by journeying up Oxecosset Brook, a tributary to the cove. Paffard Mash has an Osprey nesting site.
Barn Island
Barn Island Nature Preserve, the largest coastal preserve in Connecticut, is just across the cove from you! At over a thousand acres you'll enjoy walking, biking, a dog beach (to right at parking area) and public boat launch.
Sandy Point and Napatree
Sandy Point Island is a 35-acre island and bird sanctuary in Little Narragansett Bay. Once an extension of Napatree Point, Sandy Point is now its own entity. The 1938 Hurricane separated the peninsula, leaving Sandy Point a mile-long island and Napatree Point a shorter peninsula, still attached to the mainland. Sandy Point requires a day pass.
Hike Napatree Point out on the Atlantic surf side and back on the Watch Hill Harbor side. The remains of Fort Mansfield are out at the point. Dogs are welcome Labor Day to May 1st, and from 6pm to 8am in between.
Blue Herron catch sequence. Taken from Stonington Marina, Wequetequock Cove.
Blue Herron catch sequence. Taken from Stonington Marina, Wequetequock Cove.
Blue Herron catch sequence. Taken from Stonington Marina, Wequetequock Cove.
Blue Herron catch sequence. Taken from Stonington Marina, Wequetequock Cove.
Barn Island tree with sunset.
Barn Island winter hike with evening colors.
Bird wintering over.
Bird wintering over.
Barn Island, fresh snowfall.
Winter sunset over Elihu Island from Barn Island, Wequetequock Cove lies between.
From the beach looking towards Watch Hill Light
West end of Napatree with Watch Hill Light in the distance
Looking towards Watch Hill Light from the west end of Napatree Point
Watch Hill Light
Watch Hill Light sunset
Curve of the beach at Napatree Point during twilight.
Sunset from Watch Hill Point
Sunset over Napatree, taken from Watch Hill.
Napatree Point sunset
Napatree Point dunes and beach.
Napatree Point dunes.
Napatree Point dunes.
Barn Island Nature Preserve has miles of trails suitable for walking and riding. Great place for a dog walk.
Barn Island Nature Preserve
Napatree Point, looking back into Watch Hill Harbor and Little Narragansett Bay
Great Blue Heron photographed from Stonington Marina docks.
Wading Herron, taken from Stonington Marina.
Taken from Stonington Marina. Blue Herron with fish, Wequetequock Cove. Taken from Stonington Marina.
Blue Herron, Wequetequock Cove. Taken from Stonington Marina.
Nesting Osprey, Paffard Marsh, Avalonia Preserve. The preserve is reachable by kayak from Wequetequock Cove.
Napatree gull.
Taken from Stonington Marina, Wequetequock Cove. The last sunset of 2024 was spectacular.
Fall colors from dock at Stonington Marina, Wequetequock. Iconic stone house with round windows in view.
Fall Colors from dock at Stonington Marina, Wequetequock.
Stonington Marina, Wequetequock Cove. Heron silhouette under bimini.
Stonington Marina, Wequetequock Cove. A Heron finds a perch.
Sea Turtle was struggling to get free of a mesh plastic bag. It took a knife to cut the bag away.
Sea turtle has been freed of the bag and is about to be released.
Napatree Point is open for dog walks in the offseason.
Dodge Paddock with Sandy Point in upper right background. A hidden nature spot and dog walk right in Stonington Borough.