Orient Harbor Cruising Guide:
Navigation & Important Waypoints

The following is information you may need wile entering Orient Harbor or Inside Orient Harbor.  We have also listed a number of important waypoints in the area.

Entering Orient Harbor...

You enter Orient Harbor from Gardiner's Bay or Shelter Island Sound by passing between the Red #6 nun and Bug Light (Tip of Long Beach Preserve).  To be cautious it would be wise to stay closer to the Red #6 than to the beach, for there are some rocks and shoaling close to the tip of Long Beach. Boaters can also enter the Harbor by passing between the Red #6 and Red #8 (near Cleaves Point).  While between #6 and #8 does not offer as much water it still offers a depth of between 8-10 feet.  The water in the center of the harbor is fairly deep (25 feet) and boaters should feel very comfortable entering the harbor.

Inside the Harbor...

Once inside the harbor you will find plenty of water for the most part.  As you head towards eastern end of the Harbor, you will see the water shallowing to five feet or less near the entrance to Hallock Bay.  See Hallock Bay Cruising Guide for details on entering the Bay.

The water near the yacht club and along Long Beach which is most popular for anchoring also offers 8-10 feet of water.  While the waters between #6 and #8 red cans are not as deep as the majority of the harbor they do offer between 8 and 10 feet of water.

Important Waypoints...

Buoy Number	Location	Chart Image	JPG Picture
Orient Point Lighthouse:  64ft, 5 second flash w/ horn.	41° 09.811' N 072° 13.417' W
MIDCHANNEL "MS": Marking Midway Shoal (southeast of Orient Lght)	41° 09.751' N 072° 12.656' W
Plum Island Lighthouse:  Flash every 2.5 sec.	41° 10.428' N 072° 12.698' W
Flashing Red Bell "2PG": Marking entrance to Plum Gut from east, NW of Plum Island	41° 10.571' N 072° 13.102' W
Red & White Whistle: 1.5 NM from Rams Head.	41° 05.987' N 072° 15.987' W
Red Bell 2: Southeast of Bug Light	41° 06.175' N 072° 18.060' W
#3 Green Buoy near Bug Light: Located off Ram Island on Shelter Island.	41° 06.09' N 072° 18.40' W Latest position taken on 6/29/01
Bug Lighthouse: Flashes every 4 seconds	41° 06.541' N 072° 18.357' W
#7 Green Buoy near Bug Light:
Red 6: Southwest of Bug Light marking entrance to Orient Harbor	41° 06.867' N 072° 19.014' W
Red 8: Southwest of Bug Light marking entrance to Orient Harbor	41° 06.877' N 072° 20.029' W
Green Post 1: Marking the entrance to Hallock Bay	41° 07.563' N 072° 17.005' W

Other Related Categories:
Orient Harbor Cruising Guide: Anchorages
Orient Harbor Cruising Guide: Marinas
Hallock Bay Cruising Guide