Coecles Harbor Cruising Guide: Navigating the Harbor & Important Waypoints

In this section we will describe to you everything you need to know while navigating inside and outside Coecles Harbor.  This very beautiful harbor can at times be very tricky to enter.  Boats that draw 5 1/2 feet and over should take special interests in this section.  

Our Navigation section is broken down into four section; Entering the Harbor, Inside the Harbor, Hazards and Important Waypoints.

Entering the Harbor....

Entering Coecles Harbor can be a very delicate procedure, depending on your boat.  At our mooring near Reel Point we have witnessed dozens and dozens of boats hit the sand-bar while entering Coecles Harbor.  The channel to enter the harbor is extremely narrow.  To make things even more challenging, the green channel markers out side the harbor are often misleading and are also very difficult to see at night.  See the important waypoints for exact locations.

The sandbar that so many boaters struggle with is located on the south side of the channel.  The North side of the channel is also very shallow.  Our advise is to stay close to the #3 Green can.  As you pass Reel point many people also make the mistake of staying too far away from the point.  Sometimes boaters stay so far away from the point that they end up on the sand-bar on the opposite side.  The depth near Reel Point is very good and drops off sharply.  Remember the Green #1 and #3 buoys outside are privately maintained and their position can vary from year to year.  See important waypoints on this page for exact locations.  To See a picture of this sandbar during low tide.....  Click Here

Inside The Harbor...

Once maneuvering past the sandbars at the entrance, the Coecles Harbor is very well protected.  If you are attempting to by-pass the anchorage area and go directly to the eastern side of the Harbor to the Marina, you will need to be aware of the sandbar off Little Ram Island.  This is a very tricky spot for some boats.  If your boat draws over six feet you may have more success (and comfort) passing Little Ram Island during high tide.  While the Red #10 buoy marks the point where the sandbar is located, leave plenty of room around the can.  Many sailors have tried to come close this can and spent the night on the sand bar.  Powerboats should not have any problems passing this point.  To See a picture of this sandbar during low tide.....  Click Here

DO NOT head straight for the Red #12 can after passing the Red #10.  You will hit bottom if you do!  Make your turn round Red #10 very wide.  If you are heading to the marina, make your turn around #10 very wide and then head for the green makers. 

Remember to see our anchorage section for more information and about where to anchor.

Hazards inside the Harbor...

There are three major areas on concern inside Coecles Harbor  

• Sandbars at the Entrance to Coecles Harbor:  See Above
• Sandbar off Little Ram Island:   See Above
• Rocks and Shallows off Taylor Island:  
  Taylor Island (or Cedar Island) is the home of a beautiful old home.  While it is a fun place to look at and explore, make sure to stay clear while traveling down the channel.  The East, North and Western shore do have rocks that are far enough out to do some damage to the curious boater.  To see Pictures of the rocks off Taylor Island during Low Tide...Click here for #1....Click here for #2...Click here for #3

Important Waypoints...

Buoy Number	Location	Chart Image	JPG Picture
Red & White Whistle: 1.5 NM from Rams Head.	41° 05.987' N 072° 15.987' W
#6 Red Nun: Off Cedar Point reroute to Coecles	41° 02.34' N 072° 16.21' W Latest position taken on 6/29/01
HAZARD BUOY:   Hazard Buoy for Rocks off Nicolls Pt., Mashomack, Shelter Is.	41° 03.04' N 072° 16.03' W latest position taken 7/28/03
#1 Green Buoy:  Outside Coecles Harbor	41° 04.083' N 072° 16.458' W Latest position taken on 7/28/03
#3 Green Buoy:  Outside Coecles Harbor	41° 04.112' N 072° 16.640' W Latest position taken on 7/28/03
#5 Green Buoy:  Just inside Coecles Harbor	41° 04.16' N 072° 16.94' W Latest position taken on 7/28/03
#7 Green Buoy: Inside Coecles Harbor by the Anchorage Area	41° 04.23' N 072°17.61' W Latest position taken on 7/19/02
#10 Red Buoy:  Off Little Ram Island	41° 04.39' N 072° 18.32' W Latest position taken on 7/19/02
#12 Red Buoy: West of Coecles Harbor Marina mooring field	41° 04.71' N 072° 18.71' W Latest position taken on 7/19/02
For more waypoints see Waypoints Around Shelter Island.