Marinas in Rhode Island

Confirm current requirements with the state agency before your trip. Rules and fees change every season.

• Boater Education Card

  Anyone born after January 1, 1986, operating a vessel powered by a motor greater than 10 horsepower on Rhode Island waters must possess a valid Boater Education Card, as must all personal watercraft operators regardless of age. Residents qualify by birth date; non-residents need the card only if they operate on Rhode Island waters for more than 90 days in a calendar year. Approved courses are offered online and in-person, covering essential boating safety principles. Verify requirements with the state agency.

• Vessel Registration

  All motorized vessels, including sailboats with auxiliary engines, operating on Rhode Island waters must be registered with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), unless federally documented or registered in another state and not principally moored in Rhode Island for more than 90 days per year. Registration decals must be displayed as required.

• Fishing License

  A valid Rhode Island recreational saltwater fishing license is required for anyone 16 years of age or older to fish in the marine waters of the state. If fishing in federal waters (beyond 3 miles offshore), a federal registration may also be required. Freshwater fishing requires a separate license. Specific rules vary by species and season.

• Required Safety Equipment

  All vessels must carry U.S. Coast Guard-approved safety equipment, including personal flotation devices (PFDs) for every person on board, visual distress signals, a sound-producing device, and fire extinguishers where applicable. Specific requirements vary by vessel length and type. Always ensure equipment is in good working order and readily accessible.

1. 01

   1. Determine Your Boating Style

   Own boat, powerboat rental, or a sailboat or motor yacht charter: settle this first, because everything downstream depends on it: registration, licensing, and what you'll need to reserve.

2. 02

   2. Fulfill Boater Education & Licensing Requirements

   Any operator born after January 1, 1986, needs Rhode Island's boater education card. Line up fishing licenses if you'll wet a line, and confirm your vessel's registration covers operation in RI waters.

3. 03

   3. Plan Your Itinerary & Book Dockage/Charters

   Map your stops across Narragansett Bay, Block Island Sound, or the East Bay, then book. In peak season (June-August), transient slips, moorings, and charter boats at the popular harbors go fast, sometimes months out.

4. 04

   4. Check Marine Forecasts & Tides

   Watch the marine forecast, wind, and tide tables for your cruising area before and during the trip. Tidal currents run hard through parts of these waters, and the afternoon sea breeze is a daily fact of summer.

5. 05

   5. Prepare Safety Gear & Provisions

   Confirm the boat, yours or the charter's, carries all required U.S. Coast Guard safety gear. Stock charts, navigation tools, sun protection, and provisions, and know where you can fuel and pump out along the route.