CWTA - Connecticut Paddling Trails - Fairfield County - Stamford



Connecticut Water Trails Association

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Connecticut Water Trails

Connecticut Boat Launches

Connecticut Coastal Paddling

Connecticut Coastal Paddling Access

Connecticut Rivers

Fairfield County Paddling Trails

Connecticut Water Trails Program

Paddling Trails

Fairfield County

Stamford

Cove Harbor

Directions: Google Map

NOAA Chart: 12364 at 1:40,000

USGS Quadrangle: Stamford and South Norwalk

Type of Water: River - Coastal

Paddle Length:

USGS Real Time Water Data / Gauge: NA

Portage: None

Put In: Cove Island Marina

Google Map

Longitude 73.503531 ºW Latitude 41.048947 ºN

Put In Alternative: During the summer you may have to park at a small park on Weed Ave and then launch into Holly Pond.

Take Out: Same As The Put-In

On The Water:

You'll launch into Holly Pond. There is a jetty crossing the southern tip which is hidden during high tide. As the tide rushes in the jetty creates sort of a waterfall.

When you leave the pond you'll pass through a sand dune system in the city of Stamford. Be aware of the buoy markers for the swim area.

Once you're inside of Cove Harbor - paddle a mile to the south and Smith Reef a long section of jagged rocks.

You can also paddle west past a couple of private islands towards Wescott Cove and Shippan Point. At the far end of Shippan Point is the entrance to Stamford Harbor. The harbor entrance has two sets of breakwaters. The water entering and leaving through these breakers can create large standing waves during tidal cycles. There is also a high level of boat traffic - pay attention as you paddle here.

Just off the breakwaters is Stamford Harbor Light - built in 1882. The harbor is mostly made up of marina's. At this point you can head back to the launch site. If you launched directly from Holly Pond - make sure you know what the tides timetable is - otherwise you'll have to portage over the jetty.

What You’ll See: Shippan Point, Smith Reef, Goodwives River, Davenport Point, Rhode Island Rocks, and Brush Island.

Cautions: Boats, wind, tides, and waves.

The information here is based upon the best available information presently available.

If you find and error or have a written description of a water trail we have not included - please contact us

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This site utilizes Google base maps to create a faster, more accessible, and much more user friendly mapping application that provides detailed information on launch and landing sites, camp sites, restaurants, lodging, and sites of interest along the various water trails.