All park ferries ended for the 2011 season on Oct. 10.  Ferries for the 2012 season start in May.

Getting here is really part of the fun.

Most people arrive at the Boston Harbor Islands via a brief ferry ride from Long Wharf-North in Boston. The ferry system gets you to the islands (and home again) quickly and easily. Watch the Boston skyline fade into the background as you approach Georges or Spectacle Island.

Going to Peddocks, Lovells, Grape, or Bumpkin? Transfer at Georges, or leave the mainland from the South Shore. On Sundays, Thompson Island is served by its own ferry, from Spectacle Island or South Boston's EDIC Pier.

Boaters and outdoor enthusiasts arrive at several of these islands via their own boats, including motorboats, sailboats, and sea kayaks.

And there are also four peninsula areas accessible by automobile. Take your car if you are visiting Deer Island, Nut Island, Worlds End, or Webb Memorial. Travel Smart—use public transportation on the mainland when ever you can.

No matter how you arrive, you’ll find that the islands are closer than you think, and more diverse and interesting than you imagined.