All FAQs
The following FAQs cover a broad range of topics:
Travel
Q: How do I get to the Boston Harbor Islands?
Park passenger ferries, shuttle boats, and tour boats bring visitors to the islands from May to October. Go to By Passenger Ferry for more information.
Q: How long is the ferry ride?
Departing from Long Wharf in Boston, the ferry takes 30 minutes to arrive at Georges Island and 15 minutes to arrive at Spectacle Island. The inter-island shuttle from Georges Island to other islands can range in time from 15 to 40 minutes in duration.
Q: Can we bring our car to the islands?
Yes, and no. Few of the islands are accessible with automobiles; access is by water only. However, there are four peninsula areas accessible by automobile: Deer Island, Nut Island, Worlds End, and Webb Memorial Park.
Things to Do
SWIMMING
Q: Can I swim in Boston Harbor?
Swimming is allowed at island beaches on Grape, Bumpkin, Lovells, Peddocks, and Spectacle Islands, although after periods of heavy rain it is advisable to ask the rangers about the current water quality. Check with rangers about swimming locations. Swim at your own risk; lifeguards are only present at Spectacle Island. On other islands, swimming is only prohibited near the docks and at Hull Gut.
Q: What are the beaches like?
Beaches vary from sandy to large cobblestone beaches. Spectacle Island has a sandy, lifeguarded, swimming beach. Lovells Island has a popular cobble beach. Most shorelines have cobbled beaches.
HIKING/WALKING
Q: What about hiking trails?
There are walking/hiking trails and trail guides available on all the islands staffed for visitors. Peddocks Island, Thompson Island, and Worlds End offer more extensive trail systems.
Q: Any paved trails?
Roughly paved trails can be found on Georges, Peddocks, and Bumpkin Islands.
Q: At high tide, which islands offer the best shoreline walks?
At high tide, accessibility of island shorelines varies. Islands with wide, flat, and sandy shorelines, such as Gallops and Lovells, offer the easiest accessibility. Islands with rocky shores or with granite man-made sea walls, such as Great Brewster and Georges, are more difficult to walk.
Q: Where are the best hiking opportunities?
The islands offer a wide range of hiking opportunities. If you like historic hikes, take a stroll through Fort Warren on Georges Island. Peddocks offers the longest shoreline of any harbor island to walk. Hike past Fort Andrew's officer quarters, prison barracks, and guardhouses or past private summer cottages. Peddocks also offers natural attractions, including a sand spit, salt marsh, and woods of maple, pine, cottonwood, and birch.
For nature hikes, Grape Island is always a favorite. Pick grapes from the island's wild grapevines. The many bayberry and blackberry shrubs growing on the island support a large songbird population. Or seek out "lover's rock" on Lovells Island and hike the steps of Fort Standish's massive concrete gun emplacements.
Q: Are pets allowed on the islands?
Though they are permitted on the ferries, pets are only allowed on four islands and peninsula areas: Deer and Nut Islands, Webb Memorial Park, and Worlds End. No pets are allowed on other islands in the park. This arrangement accommodates a variety of uses and provides for visitor safety and wildlife protection. Only service dogs are permitted on all islands.
Q: Should I plan to go bird watching on the islands?
Yes. Birds are common on the islands. Several species such as egrets, black-crowned night herons, great blue herons, cormorants, herring gulls, and common terns all are reported to be nesting on the islands. Other birds that have been spotted include swallows, quail, pheasants, hawks, owls, falcons, plovers, and sandpipers. (A comprehensive wildlife survey was initiated in 2000.)
FISHING
Q: Can I fish from the islands?
Boston Harbor is one of the few areas along the Massachusetts coastline that offers good sport fishing year round. There is recreational fishing throughout the harbor for striped bass, mackerel, winter flounder, and bluefish. Many of the harbor islands offer excellent shore fishing locations. There are no public fishing piers.
Q: Can I rent fishing equipment?
Yes. Fishing equipment rentals are available on Spectacle Island.
KAYAKING
Q: What about sea kayaking?
Boston Harbor and the islands offer spectacular opportunities for the experienced sea kayaker. Exploring the islands by sea kayak offers more flexibility than using the park ferry and shuttle system—kayakers can have an adventure not yet available to most visitors who are limited to islands that have piers. Remember: The harbor is an active port used by HUGE cargo ships and tankers. They cannot stop to avoid a kayak!
Q: Can I rent kayaks?
Currently, there are no on-island kayak rentals available, but ranger-guided kayak sessions are available on Grape Island. Look for rental locations in the phone book, online, newspapers, etc.
BOATING
Q: Can I take my own boat out to the islands?
Yes. Limited docking space is available on Georges Island on a first-come, first-served basis. For access to Lovells, Peddocks, Grape, and Bumpkin Islands, you may drop off your guests and gear at the island docks and anchor offshore. Moorings are also available. Dinghies are usually available when anchoring. Docking is also available at the Spectacle Island Marina for fee.
Q: Where can we dock our private boats?
Private boaters may use the dock at Georges Island on a first-come, first-served basis all day. Spectacle Island has a marina, which you must call for paid reservations (857.452.7221). Grape, Bumpkin, Lovells, and Peddocks Islands have docks which allow drop-offs only; visitors must anchor offshore and use dinghies.
Q: Are there moorings near the Boston Harbor Islands?
There are about 30 moorings relatively close to the Boston Harbor Islands.
CAMPING
Q: Is there lodging in the park?
Campsites are the only overnight accommodations provided by the park. Visitor accommodations are abundant in the Greater Boston area. Contact the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau (www.bostonusa.com) for information about the 250 hotels, B&Bs, and guest houses in the region. Call 888-SEE-BOSTON (888-733-2678).
Q: Can we go camping?
Camping is available on three islands, by permit only. Lovells, Grape, and Bumpkin Islands all have individual and group sites.
Q: Does the National Parks Pass cover camping fees?
No, the America the Beautiful Pass (National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass) does not cover permit fees, such as camping, or transportation and parking.
Q: What if there is an emergency while camping overnight on an island?
The Islands are staffed 24 hours a day during the camping season. Staff can contact emergency services if necessary.
Q: Can we have a campfire on the island? Are there stoves?
Grills are available at some picnic areas on the islands and peninsula areas that campers may use. Visitors may also bring their own charcoal grill or cook stove. Open pit fires are not allowed at campsites. Small campfires are allowed only on the beach below the high tide line. Bring your own firewood or charcoal. And carry off your spent charcoal briquettes.
Q: What is the camping like?
Camping is primitive on the islands. There is no water, electricity, telephones, or concessions (e.g., food or supplies) available on camping islands. There is limited cell phone reception, and a "pack-in, pack-out" policy.
Q: How long can I stay at a campsite?
Two continuous weeks is the maximum time allotted for each party to camp. The camping season begins Memorial Day weekend and ends on Labor Day weekend.
Q: How many campsites does each island have?
The number of individual and group campsites on each island are: Lovells, three family and one group; Grape, ten family and one group; and Bumpkin, ten family and one group.
Q: How do I get my equipment to my campsite?
You will have to carry all personal equipment on your own. Most campsites are a short walk from the dock. The topography of the islands is fairly level and trails are well marked; some paths are paved.
BIKING/ROLLER-BLADING/STROLLERS
Q: May I bike or roller-blade on the islands?
Many of the islands’ paths are well-worn trails and are not meant for high-paced activities. Bicycle riding and roller-blading are not permitted.
Q: Which islands are suitable for baby strollers?
Georges and Spectacle Islands have paved and crushed-stone walkways suitable for strollers.
Things to See
Q: What are some of the historical structures on the islands?
There are two national historic landmarks: Fort Warren on Georges Island and Boston Light on Little Brewster Island. Another historical point of interest accessible to the public is Fort Standish on Lovells Island. Ruins from several past occupancies, including military installations and hospitals, are also found on Bumpkin Island. Thompson Island, home to Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center, has a history of education going back to the 19th century. Fort Andrews on Peddocks Island, however, is closed to the public due to safety concerns.
Q: What are those big white “eggs” we see on the harbor?
They are symbols of a clean harbor. The digesters are part of the Deer Island Waste Water Treatment Plant. They are also a part of our commitment to renewable energy.
Q: How many lighthouses are in the park?
There are three lighthouses: Long Island Light, Boston Light on Little Brewster Island where tours are given, and Graves Light.
Q: What sort of wildlife can I see on the islands?
The harbor islands are part of the Atlantic Flyway for migratory birds and home to snowy owls and a variety of hawks. Small mammals such as rabbits, voles, skunks, etc. also inhabit the islands. The National Park Service provides more information about park wildlife and other natural resources at Nature & Science.
Q: Where are the rabbits?
Rabbits or hares can be found on Lovells and Grape islands.
Q: Will I see whales?
Not likely. Whales are rare visitors to Boston Harbor. There are, however, whale-watching trips offered by various local boat companies that offer whale-watching excursions into Massachusetts Bay.
Facilities
Q: Where are the bathrooms?
All the boats have adequate bathroom facilities. There are indoor bathrooms with plumbing on Spectacle Island. Georges Island has composting toilets, and will have brand new facilities in 2010. Lovells, Peddocks, Grape, and Bumpkin Island have recycling composting toilets.
Q: Is there lodging in the park?
Campsites are provided by the park. Groups interested in having a conference or retreat at Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center can stay in a newly renovated hotel-style dormitory or in tents. Visitor accommodations are abundant in the greater Boston area. Contact the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau (www.bostonusa.com) for information about 250 hotels, B&Bs, and guest houses in the region. Call 888-SEE-BOSTON (888-733-2678).
Q: Are the islands accessible to people with physical disabilities
The boats serving the islands are accessible to people with disabilities; however, none of the islands meets those requirements. The park is working to rectify this situation. A few islands can be available to people with disabilities: Georges Island offers paved and fairly level paths, and Peddocks has paved paths in the area of Fort Andrews. Grape, Bumpkin, and Lovells Islands have trails of dirt or grass that are not suitable for people with disabilities.
Q: Are there rain shelters on the islands?
Georges Island offers covered picnic areas and covered areas within Fort Warren. There are also a few shelters on Spectacle Island. Thompson Island Outward Bound offers two tented event sites and a wooden pavilion (for a fee) if you are interested in having a group event. Other islands do not have large structures with adequate rain protection.
Pets
Q: May I bring my pet(s) to the islands?
Pets are not allowed on any of the islands accessible by boat. However, Nut and Deer Islands, and Worlds End and Webb Memorial Park (which are peninsula areas accessible by car only), permit dogs on leashes. Service dogs are permitted on all islands.
Cooking
Q: Can we bring grills to the islands?
Visitors may bring grills to the islands, as long as they are of quality and relatively easy to carry. However, visitors must remember our carry on/carry off policy: all items brought on the islands must be taken off; this includes any charcoal briquettes, whether new or used. Georges Island has several stationary grills as well.
Alcohol
Q: Is alcohol allowed?
Use of alcohol by individuals and groups is prohibited at the Boston Harbor Islands, unless part of a park event that holds a liquor permit.
Events
Q: Can I hold a catered event on the islands for my group?
Vendors currently offer full-service catered events on three islands, including clambakes and picnics. For events on Spectacle or Georges Islands contact the Summer Shack Catering at 617-669-8552. For events on Thompson Island contact the Thompson Island Conference Center at 617-328-3900, ext. 107 or 110.
Q: May visitors bring alcohol on the islands?
Visitors who would like to hold an event with alcohol should arrange a private event with the Thompson Island Conference Center (617-328-3900, ext. 107 or 110) or Summer Shack Catering for Georges and Spectacle Islands (617-669-8552). Otherwise, alcohol is not allowed.
Q: Are there telephones on the islands?
There are no public phones, but there is cell phone reception available in areas within the park.
More Information
About Boston Harbor Islands:
• all park information: 617-223-8666.
• Stop by the Boston information desks on Long Wharf and Fan Pier (seasonal) or the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) office at Hewetts Cove in Hingham.
• Mail inquiries to:
Boston Harbor Islands Partnership
408 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 228
Boston, MA 02110
• Use the form at Contact Us or send an e-mail from your browser to: boha_information@nps.gov (revise)
About other activities in the Boston area:
• Visit: Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism
• Call: 617-973-8500
• Send inquiries to:
Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
10 Park Plaza, Suite 4510
Boston, MA 02116
fax: 617-973-8525
About visiting Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Islands:
Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket are not part of the Boston Harbor Islands. No ferries go directly from Boston to either of these islands near Cape Cod. For boat information call 506-477-8600; for tourism information on Martha’s Vineyard call 508-693-0085, and on Nantucket call 508-228-3643.