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Beavertail Light

Location: Jamestown, RI
Exposure: east, south
Depth: ?
Entry: sandy, rocky

Description

Caution: This dive spot is very exposed and prone to be rough. In less than ideal conditions, consider Fort Wetherill as a nearby alternative. There are possible entry points on both sides of the lighthouse, as well as on the southern end. Directly south of the lighthouse there is a cut in the rocks that can be used to get out into deeper and calmer waters, but this cut can be difficult to find on the way back if you are not careful in your navigations.

This is an advanced dive site, and if you are not familiar with the dive consult experienced divers at the location for the best dive given the conditions. The western side of Beavertail can also be calm when the eastern is not. Drive to parking lot 1, and take trail by the northern end of the parking lot. You'll have to hike a bit to find a few protected coves.

Directions from Boston

  • Take route I-95 south through Providence.
  • From route 95 take route 4. This will be a major left lane exit from route 95, 12 miles south of the junction of routes 95 and 195 in Providence. Route 4 will get progressively narrower until it becomes an old concrete surface.
  • Follow route 4 until it turns into route 1. Where route 4 turns into route 1 is not well marked, but it is still the same road. Follow route 1 to the exit for 138 East. From the junction of routes 95 and 4 to the exit for route 138 East off of route 1 is 10.5 miles.
  • Take route 138 East across the Jamestown Bridge. Go another 1.5 miles or so to the exit for Jamestown. This is the last exit before the Newport bridge.
  • After getting off the exit, keep going straight to the middle of Jamestown by the harbor. - Take a right at the stop sign onto Narrangasett Rd.
  • Go to a blinking red light and take a left onto Southwest Ave. (if you need to visit a dive store, take a right for about 1/4 mile - and Ocean State Scuba will be on your left).
  • Continue down Southwest Ave for 0.6 miles until the road ends in a T.
  • Go right at the (3-way) intersection. This will direct you out onto a narrow land bridge which goes out to Beaver Tail. Follow this road to the southern end of Beaver Tail.
  • Enter Beaver Tail Park. Go past parking lots 1 and 2, loop past the lighthouse, and park in lot 3, the lot closest to the lighthouse. (There is a port-a-potty at each lot.)

Please select a dive site for more information:

Beavertail Light
The Dumplings
Ft. Wetherill
King's Beach

several accesses since July 28, 2000 with several per day