Welcome to the ExploreRI Mapper
This mapper will help you locate boat launches and other points of interest to for small boat recreation throughout the state of Rhode Island. To get started, click anywhere on the map to zoom in on that area. To zoom out use the zoom control to the left of the map. Once you have zoomed in, boat launches and other points of interest will show up on the map as clickable red icons (see the key below the map). Click on an icon to get more information about that location. If you prefer to search by criteria or simply look up a site by name, try the boat launch search page. If you have a high-speed Internet connection (e.g., DSL or Cable), you may want to try our Google-based mapping system which also includes sites in the Narragansett Bay Watershed in Massachusetts.
KEY
Hand Carry Boat Launch
Boat Ramp
Portage
Other Type of Site
The location you clicked on is a site for launching boats from trailers. Boat ramps can normally be used to launch canoes and kayaks but please do your best to keep the boat ramp clear for boat trailers.
Site Name: Billington Cove
Alternate Site Name: Pond Street
Town: South Kingstown
Driving Landmarks: Take the Pond Street exit off Route 1 in Wakefield. Head south on Pond Street (that means making a left turn at the end of the exit ramp if you were on Route 1 south and a right turn if you were on Route 1 north). Go about 1/2 mile and look for the ramp on your right next to the Billington Cove Marina. The only available parking is paid parking at the Marina.
ADA Accessible Boat Launch? no
Shoreline: Hard surface boat ramp
Float/Dock: low float or dock
Hours of Operation: 24 hours/day, 7 days/week
Parking: no
Water 'Features' At Site: estuary
Note: Because one boat launch can access, say, both a lake and a river or both the upstream and downstream portions of a river, not all paddling trips at a given site will necessarily encounter all of the features listed.
Comments & Overview:This town boat ramp, at the end of Pond Street, provides access to Point Judith Pond south of the busy "upper pond" area. However, since the only parking at the site is the paid parking at the marina, this boat ramp is of limited utility to the public.
Once on the water it is a short paddle from here to numerous rock islands, "the Hummocks," and "Whaley’s Pots." Throughout Point Judith Pond there are many coves to poke into in a kayak or other small boat. The boat traffic in the pond can be busy in the summer, especially along the channel, in the mooring area at the north end of the pond, and most especially at the south end of the pond where the Block Island Ferry and other commercial traffic keeps things busy on the water year round.
On most days the southwest wind fills in across this area in the morning and blows throughout the afternoon, so be prepared for this when planning your trip.
For more details see the full site report
The data on this website comes from many sources, including volunteers and organizations across the state of Rhode Island and nearby parts of Massachusetts. We have done our best to make sure the data are accurate and up to date, but any information critical to the success of your trip should be confirmed before you start. The maps and information on this website should not be substituted for nautical charts, topographic maps, or other more detailed maps and guides. We welcome corrections and additions. To send a correction or provide other feedback, please use our feedback form.
Credits: The data for the base maps was provided by the Rhode Island Geographic Information System (RIGIS) and the Office of Geographic and Environmental Information (MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. The site data came from numerous sources and organizations. Much of it was collected through the hard work of volunteers for various conservation, watershed and outdoor recreation groups around the state of Rhode Island.