Perkins Cove, at the mouth of Josias River, 1 mile southeastward of Ogunquit, is a small landlocked harbor, very popular with yachtsmen, at which a number of fishing, pleasure, and party fishing boats base.
The facilities of the harbor are controlled by the village corporation, and the moorings are under supervision of the harbormaster, who usually can be found at the town float landing on the north side of the harbor by the footbridge.
Diesel fuel by truck and water are available at the town float, which has 5 feet reported alongside. Seasonal stores, lodging, and restaurants are at the harbor. Ice, provisions, and marine supplies are also available at the harbor or at Ogunquit.
Navigation:
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Perkins Cove is entered by a narrow entrance channel which leads to an anchorage basin at the head of the harbor, known as Flat Pond. In 2006, the controlling depths were 4.7 feet in the entrance channel, thence 5 feet in the anchorage basin, except for shoaling to 4.6 feet along the southern edge and 2.1 feet along the western edge. The channel to the anchorage is marked by two buoys and a daybeacon; a lighted bell buoy is about 0.8 mile northeastward of the entrance.
The harbor is a safe haven for small craft in this stretch of coast in a sudden blow, but no attempt should be made to enter once the sea has made up, as heavy swells break clear across the entrance during easterly weather, and for as long as 2 days after a heavy blow. Small craft may broach to in attempting to enter under such conditions.
The harbor is crossed, just above the town float, by a wooden double bascule footbridge, which is operated by the harbormaster on request. The bridge has a channel width of 20 feet and a clearance of 16 feet.