Guide to Lighthouse Boat Tours
and Ferries
in Connecticut
(Heading Eastward)
Below is a list of boat tours and cruises that offer specific lighthouse cruises in addition to other cruises from Greenwich eastward to Groton, Connecticut, here in New England. You may find while some may offer specific lighthouse cruises, some will pass by specific lighthouses as part of charters, narrated wildlife and historic tours, ferrying passengers, whale watching, fishing tours and other types of excursions. For additional convenience, you'll also find ferry info that provides access to some of the islands you will find lighthouses stationed. Contact info is provided to help you plan your special trips to New England’s shorelines. Enjoy!
In addition to cruises for marine life study, seals, birding, and TGIF cruises, they offer two different Long Island Sound lighthouse cruises in the Spring. The one for Central Long Island Sound, covers Pecks Ledge, Greens Ledge and Sheffield Island lighthouses in Norwalk, Penfield Reef Lighthouse in Fairfield and Stratford Shoal (Middle Ground) Light. The one for Western Long Island Sound covers Greens Ledge, Sheffield Island, Stamford Harbor, and Great Captain Island. They also participate in the U.S. Lighthouse Society's "Lighthouse Passport" program.
10 North Water Street
Norwalk, CT 06854
Greenwich Parks Ferry
Provides ferry from Greenwich to the lighthouse and the surrounding grounds from the ferry dock. Call ahead to find where to purchase tickets.
Arch Street
Greenwich, CT
(203) 661-5957
Lighthouse: Great Captain Island Light
Norwalk Seaport Association
Provides ferry access to Sheffield Island from Norwalk to the lighthouse.
132 Water St # 3
Norwalk, CT 06854
(203) 838-9444
www.seaport.org
Lighthouses: Sheffield Island Light
Captain’s Cove Seaport Harbor Cruises
Special lighthouse cruises are offered aboard a 40-foot Navy launch
1 Bostwick Ave
Bridgeport, CT 06605
(203) 335-1433
Lighthouses: Penfield Reef Light, Black Rock Lighthouse
Bridgeport - Port Jefferson Ferry
Although it does not provide access to Tongue Point Light, visitors can get fairly close photographs of this lighthouse.
330 Water Street Dock
Bridgeport, CT 06604
(631) 473-5138
(888) 44 – FERRY
Lighthouse: Tongue Point Light
Sound Navigation
During the summer season Sound Navigation coordinates a variety of informative lighthouse tours underway on Long Island Sound, which includes the southwestern portion of Connecticut's coastline and the north shore of Long Island Sound. Some of these may involve special sunset cruises and private charters.
Phone (203) 219-3688
Email Captain Barry: info@soundnavigation.com
Connecticut River Expeditions
In addition to providing landmark and special wildlife cruises including bald eagles, they provide educational programs. There is a special peaceful lighthouse cruise
heading south to the mouth of the Connecticut River
CRE
PO BOx 488
Haddam, CT 06438
Phone: (860) 662-0577
Email: captainmark@yuknat.com
Lighthouses: Saybrook Breakwater Lighthouse, Lynde Point Lighthouse
Faulkner’s Light Brigade
In the early fall, there is an annual open house with a shuttle provided for the public to explore the grounds and lighthouse.
47 Driveway
Guilford, CT 06437
(203) 453-8400
Lighthouse: Faulkner Island Light
Argia Mystic Cruises
Offers a special lighthouse 1/2 day cruise aboard an 81-foot sailing schooner.
Schooner Wharf
15 Holmes Street
Mystic, CT 06355
Phone: 860-536-0416
Fax: 860-536-0000
Lighthouses: Morgan Point, Mystic Seaport’s replica of Brant Point, North Dumpling (NY), Latimer Reef (NY), Race Rock (NY), New London Ledge, New London Harbor, Watch Hill (RI), and Avery Point
DownEast Lighthouse Cruises
Cruises are from a real lobster boat. If you don't want to cram into a large tour boat, this provides a great alternative, as it allows 6 passengers a time on the boat. Lighthouse tours include Fisher's Island tour, Eastern Fisher's Island tour, and New London Harbor tour.
Pine Island Marina
916 Shennecossett Rd
Groton, CT.
Phone:
(860) 460-1802
Email: lighthousecruises@yahoo.com
Lighthouses: Avery Point, New London Ledge Lighthouse, New London Harbor Light, Morgan Point Lighthouse, Stonington Harbor Lighthouse, Race Rock (NY), Little Gull (NY), and North Dumpling (NY)
Mystic Seaport
There is a river cruise aboard an old coal fired steamboat from the Mystic Seaport waterfront that also gets a very close view of New London Ledge lighthouse.
Lighthouse: New London Ledge Lighthouse
Project Oceanology
They provide many educational programs for adults and kids, involving marine life and ecology. They have grown into a full-fledged marine science and environmental education program with a 22,000 sq. ft. building and a variety of oceanographic equipment and vessels, including a floating marine classroom. They are located on the University of Connecticut's Avery Point Campus.
The project provides a tour of New London Harbor which includes a walking tour up to the tower of New London Ledge Lighthouse.
1084 Shennecossett Road
Groton, Connecticut 06340
Phone: (860) 445-9007
http://www.ledgelighthouse.org
Toll-Free: (800) 364-8472
Fax: (860) 449-8008
E-mail: projecto@oceanology.org
Lighthouse: New London Ledge Lighthouse
My 300-page book, Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Southern New England: Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, provides special human interest stories from each of the 92 lighthouses, along with plenty of indoor and outdoor coastal attractions you can explore, and tours. Look inside! |
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