Greenport: North Fork Favorite
The Village of Greenport has seen many roles
during its recorded history of more than 300 years. It served as a long term
reservation for Native Americans, an early home to whaling fleets and the ship
building industry, a site of rum running, an established “navy” boasting
volunteer boat patrols seeking Nazi submarines, and most recently, as a summer
destination for tourists.
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| Large vessels are a common sight in Greenport. |
Located on the north fork of Long Island,
Greenport is one of the area’s oldest villages, having been settled in 1682. The
folksy town, overlooking Shelter Island, is a favorite among boaters, with its access
to a number of local harbors and marinas.
The three harbors around Greenport include Greenport
Village, Stirling Harbor and Gull Pond. While there are not designated anchorage
opportunities, Greenport is a wonderful destination for boaters seeking to enjoy
a pleasant ride, or enjoy some land borne activities.
Greenport Village
For daily visitors, the harbor at Greenport
Village offers dock space through the town or at a local marina. The water is
deep and open, and many larger vessels can be seen transiting. Greenport has
one of the east coast’s busiest seaports, so boaters should schedule in-season
trips accordingly.
The village marine area is directly across
from Dering Harbor on Shelter Island.
The water in front of the village is very deep and can accommodate some
very large commercial and private vessels. Smaller boats should be cautioned:
while there are no real sand or obstacle hazards in the village entry, larger
vessels can create large wakes, and the boat traffic can be intimidating. All
boats are urged to adhere to the posted speed limit of 5 mph.
This is the heart of the village, where
transient boaters can tie up and visit Greenport’s friendly streets and
purchase provisions or just soak up the engaging maritime atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy recreational activities,
shopping, sailboat tours, museums, and more.
Visitors seeking a meal can choose from more
than a dozen eateries, including the historic restaurant Claudio’s, which was
established in 1870.
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| Greenport offers beachgoers tranquil surrounds. |
Stirling Harbor
Stirling Harbor is located just east of the
village docks and inside Young’s Point, at the base of the Greenport's Jetty.
Unlike the village entry, the Harbor provides greater protection from boat
traffic and prevailing winds. Visitors can tie up and walk the short distance
into the village.
Upon entry into the Harbor, boaters will note
there is ample water. Its entry also displays a memorial to remember those lost
at sea.
Visitors will note access to three
marinas within the harbor. The western
shoreline is the home of several other local marinas and fishing boats. On the east shoreline are Stirling Harbor’s
largest marinas. Eastern Long Island
Hospital is visible along the northern shoreline.
Many of the smaller marinas don’t allow
transients on a regular basis. Stirling
Harbor Marina, Brewers Yacht Yard and Townsend Manor Marina are the only marinas
that accept transient boats.
Gull Pond
Gull Pond is located just to the east of the
Greenport Jetty and is the home of many local boats.
There are no marinas or designated anchorages
in the pond, but the area is a fun place to visit. Peaceful and serene, Gull
Pond is ideal for exploring by dinghy. The pond is home to large vessels and a
number of beautiful residences.
One of the best times to visit Greenport is in the early fall, during the Annual Maritime Festival – September 19-21 this year. It’s a
terrific opportunity to visit Greenport’s historic sites, enjoy live music, observe
the Festival parade, check out craft vendors and artisans, watch live maritime demonstrations,
and sample some of the best food around the area. Modern Yachts will be on hand
to display also! Mark your calendars and see the best of what Greenport offers.
