If you’re planning boat trips this season, don’t overlook Connecticut. With more than 600 miles of coastline, thousands of miles of rivers and hundreds of lakes and reservoirs, Connecticut offers a wide variety of boating experiences—from quiet tidal creeks to lively harbors and secluded islands. While popular spots can be crowded in high season, there are several lesser-traveled anchorages and marinas that make for memorable summer days on the water. Below are standout destinations worth visiting by boat.
Selden Creek Preserve, Connecticut River
Selden Creek is a tucked-away inlet on the Connecticut River that was once used as a hiding place during the Revolutionary War. Today it’s a peaceful spot for boaters seeking solitude among tidal wetlands and rock ledges. Larger vessels can enter through the south entrance about one nautical mile north of Hamburg Cove. Many visitors raft up or drop anchor and swim in the quiet creek while watching for wildlife, including beavers and raptors. Depths range roughly from 4 to 13 feet, so stay centered in the channel, watch for logs and navigate carefully. Note that there are no moorings in the creek.
The creek wraps around Selden Neck State Park, an island separated from the mainland in the 1850s. Trails on the island provide commanding views of the Connecticut River and Selden Creek. The north entrance faces Chester Point Marina in Chester, Connecticut, where you can beach a boat up to about 30 feet on a narrow spit of sand and explore the island on foot. The island has a few campsites—some are reservable—so shore access may vary, but weekdays often offer more flexibility. An old quarry at the southeast section of the island is another feature to explore.
Esker Point Beach, Groton Long Point
Esker Point Beach and Esker Bay are favorite summer destinations for locals and transient boaters. The Summer SoundWaves concert series draws crowds on Thursday nights, with plenty of rafting up, picnicking and dancing. The bay is scenically undeveloped, dotted with a few homes and natural shoreline. If you arrive early, consider docking near Noank Shipyard and walking to Costello’s Clam Shack, or enjoy a traditional lobster bake at Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough. The nearby village of Noank is a charming place to explore ashore.
For a quieter option, visit Flat Hammock near South Dumpling Island, approximately three-quarters of a mile north of Fishers Island’s West Harbor. The hammock is a nesting site for great black-backed gulls, so keep disturbance to a minimum while swimming or exploring this narrow stretch of land.
Ford’s Lobster, Noank Harbor
Ford’s Lobster in Noank is one of Connecticut’s few waterside shacks that serves boaters directly. You can order dockside or step ashore to eat at the restaurant on the pier. The menu showcases lobster in many preparations—from simple boiled lobster to tacos, risotto, scampi and thermidor—and there’s also a market selling live lobsters. The atmosphere at Noank Harbor is relaxed and largely free of commercial traffic, making it a great stop for those cruising toward Watch Hill or Block Island.
Swallow Roosting at Goose Island, Connecticut River
Each late August into September, thousands of tree swallows gather at dusk on Goose Island in Old Lyme near the mouth of the Connecticut River. The birds funnel down into the phragmites to roost, creating a dramatic, synchronized spectacle that draws both private boaters and tour vessels. There are no moorings or landing options, and most visitors drift or motor quietly rather than anchoring. Approach and exit via the well-marked channel and maintain a respectful distance to avoid disturbing the birds.
Captain’s Cove Seaport, Black Rock Harbor
Captain’s Cove Seaport in Bridgeport’s Black Rock Harbor feels like a seaside mini-resort. The active marina and boardwalk area host food shacks, shops and live entertainment. A waterside restaurant overlooks the harbor and features a tugboat-themed bar, plus seasonal events and tournaments. A limited number of transient slips accommodate boats up to about 50 feet—reservations are recommended during summer weekends and events.
Thimble Islands, Long Island Sound (Stony Creek)
The Thimble Islands are an archipelago of more than a hundred small islands offering charming coves, private moorings and scenic cruising around Long Island Sound. Boat tours from Stony Creek provide history and local lore, but you can also raft up, paddleboard, jet-ski or anchor in the protected waters between islands such as High and Pot Island or near the Cut-In-Two Islands. Be mindful of underwater cables, pipelines and rock hazards, and remember that many moorings are privately owned.
Clinton Harbor, Clinton
Clinton Harbor, tucked near Cedar Island on Long Island Sound, combines natural beauty with a lively waterfront scene. Nearby Hammonasset Beach State Park and scenic marshes add to the appeal. Three waterfront eateries—Lobster Landing, Shanks and Rocky’s Aqua—are within easy walking distance of the town dock and Cedar Island Marina. Cedar Island Marina offers transient slips, plus amenities such as a pool, snack bar and shuttle service into town, making it a convenient stop for food and shopping.
The Norwalk Islands, Norwalk
Located about a mile offshore, the Norwalk Islands form a chain of more than 25 small islands spread across roughly six miles of Long Island Sound. The islands are popular for camping, birdwatching, kayaking and swimming, though access varies: some islands and interior areas are restricted for wildlife protection. Chimon Island and several others have public beach areas; Grassy and Shea Islands allow overnight camping; Cockenoe offers a protected inner harbor for safe anchorage; and Sheffield Island features a historic lighthouse maintained by the local seaport association, which also runs seasonal clambakes.
Milford River and Milford Landing Marina
Milford Landing Marina sits at the head of the Milford River and offers sheltered dockage within walking distance of Milford’s historic downtown, restaurants and shops. The marina accepts transient boats up to about 65 feet and provides both slips and linear dockage. Summer weekends are lively, with boaters socializing on floating docks, grilling and enjoying the waterfront scene. For more active pursuits, public tennis courts lie across the river, and Silver Sands State Park—with its sandy beach and views of Charles Island—is a short bike or paddle away. At low tide, a sandbar occasionally exposes a footpath to Charles Island; anchoring off the island’s west side provides access to public shellfishing beds without a permit in designated areas.
This article was originally published in the March 2022 issue.