All FAQs
The following FAQs cover a broad range of topics:
Q: How do I get to the Boston Harbor Islands? Park passenger ferries and shuttle 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? On days with a weekend schedule (Friday through Sunday and holidays) it takes approximately 20 minutes between Boston Long Wharf and Spectacle Island and 30 minutes between Boston Long Wharf and Georges Island. On days with a weekday schedule (Monday through Thursday) it takes either 20 or 45 minutes to arrive at Spectacle depending upon the order of stops at the two islands; check the schedule carefully. Please consult the schedule for specific times between islands and mainland piers on the Inter-Island Shuttle serving Hingham, Grape, Bumpkin, Peddocks, Hull, Georges, and Lovells.
Q: Can we bring our car to the islands? There are four peninsulas, which are part of the national park area accessible by car and with onsite parking (a parking fee may apply): Deer Island, Nut Island, Worlds End, and Webb Memorial.
Q: Can I swim on the Boston Harbor Islands? Yes, the only lifeguarded swimming beach within the Boston Harbor Islands national park area is at Spectacle Island. There is unsupervised swimming at Lovells Island (swim at your own risk). Swimming is prohibited near all island docks.
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 are cobbled or rocky beaches.
Q: What about hiking trails? There are walking/hiking trails and trail guides available for all islands served by the park ferries or shuttle boats. Peddocks Island, Thompson Island, Spectacle Island, and Worlds End offer more extensive trail systems.
Q: Are there any paved trails? Paved trails can be found on Georges and Bumpkin Islands. Crushed stone paths are found at Webb Memorial Park, Spectacle, Deer, and Nut Islands. Other trail cover ranges from loose sand to mowed grass.
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 Lovells, offer the easiest accessibility. Islands with rocky shores or with granite man-made sea walls, such as Georges, are sometimes inaccessible and generally 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. 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. 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: 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. A Massachusetts Recreational Saltwater Fishing Permit is required for all anglers 16 and older. Please see the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries website for more information. Please check with on-island Rangers about safe fishing locations; fishing is currently not permitted from the pier at Georges Island due to ongoing dock construction.
Q: Do I need to bring my own equipment and bait? Yes, you will need to bring your own fishing pole and bait if you plan to fish as neither are available on the islands. Park Rangers on Spectacle Island do lead youth and general fishing clinics throughout the summer (poles and bait are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis). Check the Park Calendar for specific dates and times. Licenses are still required for all participants 16 and older who plan to fish.
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 and ferry service. Remember: The harbor is an active port used by HUGE cargo ships and tankers. They cannot stop to avoid a kayak! We suggest paddling in Quincy Bay.
Q: Can I rent kayaks? Currently, there are no on-island kayak rentals available, but ranger-guided kayak sessions are available on Grape and Spectacle Islands. Look for mainland rental locations in the phone book, online, newspapers, etc.
Q: Can I take my own boat out to the islands? Yes. 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 and dinghies are usually available when anchoring. Docking is also possible at the Spectacle Island Marina for a fee. Recreational boats my not dock at Georges Island while the pier is under repair: staring in 2011.
Q: Where can we dock our private boats? Spectacle Island has a marina, with slips available on a first-come, first-serve basis or by reservation. Please call Hingham Harbor Marina at 781-749-5900. 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 also managed by Hingham Harbor Marina. Please call 781-749-5900 for reservations.
Q: Is there lodging in the park? Campsites are the only overnight accommodations within 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). 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.
Q: Can we go camping? Of course! Camping is available on four islands, by reservation. Peddocks, Lovells, Grape and Bumpkin Islands each have individual and group sites. Camping is only permitted on these four designated islands. Reservations can be made through Reserve America or by calling 1-877-422-6762.
Q: How many campsites does each island have? Peddocks Island has 6 individual sites and 1 group site. Lovells Island has 6 individual sites and 2 group sites. Grape and Bumpkin Islands each have 10 individual sites and 1 group site. Individual sites are appropriate for 4 to 5 people, while group sites host 15 to 30 campers.
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. Limited camping supplies, e.g. flashlights and insect repellent, are available at the retail shop on Georges Island. There is limited cell phone reception, and a "pack-in, pack-out" policy.
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, please alert the Rangers.
Q: Can we have a campfire on the island? Open pit fires are not allowed at campsites. Small campfires are allowed only on the beach below the high tide line. DO NOT transport firewood into the Boston Harbor Islands (or any other Massachusetts State Park) to prevent spread of invasive species.
Q: Are there grills? Grills are available on the camping islands. Visitors must bring their own charcoal or alternate cook stove and fuel.
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: 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 in mid-June and ends on Labor Day weekend.
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.
Q: Should I plan to go bird watching on the islands? Yes, bird watching is a common pastime on the islands where many species of birds are found. 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. Park Rangers can provide you with a Birding Checklist.
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: How many lighthouses are in the park? There are three lighthouses: Long Island Head Light, Graves Light, and Boston Light on Little Brewster Island where tours of the oldest lightstation in America are offered. There are also some unique Aids to Navigation within the harbor including Nixes Mate and Deer Island Head “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. Large mammals such as deer call a few of the islands home. The National Park Service provides more information about park wildlife and other natural resources in the Nature & Science section of the website.
Q: Will I see whales? Not likely. Whales are very rare visitors to the busy waters of Boston Harbor. There are, however, whale-watching trips do leave regularly from Boston. You might get very lucky and see a harbor seal though!
Q: What are those big white “eggs” we see on the harbor? The large white structures on Deer Island are symbols of a clean harbor. These are digesters, part of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority’s Deer Island Waste Water Treatment Plant. This high-tech plant treats the wastewater and stormwater runoff from 43 communities in the Greater Boston area and is responsible for the transformation of Boston Harbor from one of the dirtiest to one of the cleanest since its inception in the mid-1990’s. Visit the MWRA's website for more information about Deer Island’s efforts to improve the environment.
Q: Where are the bathrooms? Passenger ferries running from Boston to Georges and Spectacle and from Quincy to Georges are equipped with bathrooms. There are toilet facilities at each of the islands served by ferry or shuttle service (Georges, Spectacle, Grape, Bumpkin, Peddocks, Lovells, and Thompson Islands). Bathrooms are not available on Little Brewster Island or on the Inter-Island Shuttles.
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 and a tent on Spectacle Island. Other islands have minimal, or in some cases no, structures with adequate rain protection, so be sure to check the weather.
Q: Are there telephones on the islands? There are no public phones, but in general there is cell phone reception in most areas within the harbor.
Q: Which islands are suitable for baby strollers? Bumpkin, Georges, and Spectacle Islands have paved and crushed-stone walkways suitable for strollers. Crushed stone paths are found at Webb Memorial Park, Spectacle, Deer, and Nut Islands. Please be particularly careful with strollers and children on docks and exiting the boats.
Q: Are the islands accessible to people with physical disabilities? The main ferries serving the islands are accessible to people with disabilities; however, none of the islands currently meet those requirements. The park is working to rectify this situation. A few islands can be available to people with disabilities, depending on the tide: Georges Island offers paved and fairly level paths; Peddocks has paved paths in the area of Fort Andrews; and Spectacle Island has one accessible crushed stone trail. Grape, Bumpkin, and Lovells Islands have trails of dirt or grass that are not suitable for people with disabilities. Please call with specific questions.
Q: Is there any food available for purchase on the islands? Yes, but only on Georges and Spectacle Islands. Jasper White’s Summer Shack serves lunch and snacks daily during the summer. Every Thursday night during the summer, lobster lovers in the know board a ferry to Spectacle Island for a feast prepared by Jasper White's Summer Shack.
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. Georges Island has several stationary grills as well as the camping islands.
Q: Can I hold a group outing on the islands? Yes, groups are welcomed in the Harbor Islands. Georges and Spectacle Islands are the most common for group outings. If you will be bringing more than 10 people to the islands, you may be eligible for group ferry rates. If you plan to bring a group of 25 or more, you must fill out the DCR’s Special Use Permit, then make the appropriate boat reservations.
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 I bring my pets (dogs) to the islands? Pets are restricted in the park to foster visitor safety and resource protection. Dogs are welcomed at Deer and Nut Islands, Worlds End, and Webb Memorial (peninsulas accessible by car only). Day visitors may bring dogs to Bumpkin and Grape Islands, though not in camping areas. No pets are allowed on other islands in the park. Service dogs are permitted on all islands.
Dogs must be on leash at all times. Owners are responsible for removing dog waste: Remember, carry-on, carry-off. Boat captains have discretion to deny passage of any dog (or person!) for safety.
Q: May I bike or rollerblade on the islands? Many of the islands’ paths are well-worn trails and are not meant for high-paced activities. Bicycle riding and rollerblading are not permitted on the islands however you may bike or rollerblade on any of the four peninsula areas.
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. In general, visitors may not bring alcohol to the islands.
Q: What else is not allowed in the park? Amplified music, fireworks, and fires above the high tide line are not permitted on any island in the park. Rangers should be consulted if you have any questions or concerns.
About Boston Harbor Islands: • all park information: 617-223-8666. • Stop by the Boston Harbor Islands Pavilion on the Rose Kennedy Greenway in downtown Boston (seasonal) or the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) office at Hewitts 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.
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 south of 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.