Anchorages, Moorings: Coveside offers 14 moorings for your convenience. Reservations are highly suggested. Reserve ahead by hailing “Coveside” on VHF at channel 9 or get here early if you can. Launch Service is available upon request.

Approaches: The usual approach is from the west of Inner Heron Island, at the entrance to the Damariscotta River. Pick up nun “4” north of Inner Heron, then aim for the square, shingled tower near the head of Christmas Cove. The entrance to the cove is tight, about 35 yards wide, and you are likely to find kids racing small sailboats right in the narrowest part of the channel. As you can see on the chart inset, there are two tiny dots of land on each side of the entrance. Red daybeacon “2” is on your right coming in, but do not cut it close, since it is 50 feet or so from the end of the ledge. Green daybeacon “3” stands at the edge of the shoal water to port. Pass about halfway between the two beacons and expect to find boats moored just inside. In fog, finding these silent and unforgiving daybeacons could be treacherous. Coming from the east, you might sail through Thread of Life for the sheer fun of it. Keep can “1” to starboard off Turnip Island and turn north. Keep to the midchannel to avoid the 6-foot spot near Inner Heron and the 5 and 8-foot spots near Shipley Point.

Getting Ashore: Row your dinghy to the Coveside dinghy float.

For the Boat: Coveside Marina (Ch. 09; 207-644-8282). Coveside Marina includes the buildings on the north side of the harbor. We have limited dockage but can handle large boats, with 12 feet alongside at low. The docks have electricity. Ice and a small chandlery are ashore. Water is for your tanks only, since it is drawn from a well. We also offer Wi-Fi internet connections

For the Crew: Because of the well water, there is no laundromat, but there are showers and a pay phone at Coveside Marina. Our popular marina restaurant serves three meals a day, and dinner reservations should be made for five or more. In good weather you can eat under our new canopy umbrella. In foul weather, you might spend enough time at the bar to discover why Ivan Boesky’s shoes used to hang on the wall.

Things to Do: The walk to South Bristol is pretty and shaded. When you arrive, it is fun to observe one of Maine’s most active swing bridges at the Gut and the busy scene in quaint South Bristol Harbor as lobsterboats unload their catch. For a shorter walk, turn right from Coveside Marina and then walk south on Route 129. You will find a spectacular view of the Thread of Life and maybe see a sailboat or two tacking through. In addition, we offer bicycle rentals to ease your tour of Rutherford Island.