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: Apponaug Cove
Town: Warwick
Driving Landmarks: At the intersection of Post Road and Centerville Road, in Apponaug, take Post Road south for 0.2 miles. Turn left onto Arnold Neck Road. The boat ramp is before the railroad bridge next to the "Changing Tides" gift shop.
Shoreline: The boat ramp is paved and at high tide the adjacent shoreline is largely crushed shells. There are buildings on boat sides of the ramp so there is no much open shoreline adjacent to the ramp.
Float/Dock: no
Parking: no
Water 'Features' At Site: estuary, ocean/bay
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 municipal boat ramp provides access to Apponaug Cove and Greenwich Bay. However, since the ramp has a very shallow slope, lacks any parking, and is right next to a road, most people will probably choose to pay to use the ramp at Ray's Bait and Tackle (just beyond the RR bridge) or go to the ramp in downtown East Greenwich or at Goddard State Park. If you are launching hand carried boats (or simply looking for parking) you are better off going 1/4 mile further on Arnolds Neck Road (stay left at the fork) to Arnolds Neck Waterfront Park. Apponaug Cove is a large tidal cove with many areas to explore in a small boat, but don't expect wilderness because you are in the middle of Warwick. In small boats you can head north and then west explore the head of the cove. Heading east from the boat ramp takes you under the railroad bridge (22 feet clearance) and out into Greenwich Bay, which is large enough to develop large waves if the wind kicks up. On most days the southwest wind fills in strongly in this area in the morning and blows throughout the afternoon, producing significant waves on Greenwich Bay, so be prepared for this when planning your trip. Greenwich Bay is a popular area with pleasure boaters during the summer months so heavy boat traffic can be expected. (Parts of this description were adapted from Ed Mullen's book "Kayaking Narragansett Bay.")
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.