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What's Happening
what's there
Spectacle Island (105 acres) features a marina, visitor center, cafe, a life-guarded swimming beach, and five miles of walking trails that lead to the crest of a 157 foot-high hill, offering panoramic views of the harbor and the city. Supervised swimming is offered daily from June 23 to Labor Day.
Cafe & Retail
The cafe will be open during May on the weekends only from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Starting June 1, the cafe will be open daily from 11:00 am to 5:30 pm through Labor Day. From Labor Day to Columbus Day, will resume the May schedule.
- Sandwiches and wraps / Burgers / Hot dogs
- Chowder
- Cold drinks / Coffee and tea
- Healthy snacks
- Sunscreen, hats, books, cameras, etc.
Marina
For reservations call 617-241-9640 (Constitution Marina).
- Day rate (9:00 am to 5:00 pm):
$15 for vessels less than 30 feet
$25 for vessels 30 feet and greater
- Overnight rate (5:00 pm to 10:30 am the following day):
$1.50/foot
The Spectacle Island visitor center demonstrates renewable energy, oriented with a roofline facing south so a solar electric (photo voltaic) system could be installed with maximum solar gain. These photo voltaic panels produce enough energy to keep a small fleet of electric vehicles operational on the island as well as to send clean electricity to the utility power grid for use throughout the area.
Operating Hours & Seasons
Visitors are welcome dawn to dusk, daily May 5 to Labor Day. Passenger ferry service is provided from Boston. Interisland connections are provided to Georges and Thompson Islands. Consult Boat Schedule PDF.
short history
We know that people began living on Spectacle Island over a millennium ago, utilizing the abundant resources of aquatic life and shellfish nearby for their survival. The island's name was inspired by the shape of two glacial drumlins or hills, connected by a sand bar, which resembled a pair of spectacles to early European explorers. Read more . . .
managing agency
This island of Boston Harbor Islands national park area is owned by Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) and the City of Boston. The Island Alliance and National Park Service assist the owners with island management.
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