Thimble Islands

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Map(s)

Thimble Islands.jpgRoad map (627x701).  69K size.

Scenery Pictures of Thimble Islands

The Thimble Islands is a group of about 40 islands off of the coast of Stony Creek, CT.  This region is over 1500 acres, stretching nearly 1 3/4 mi from Juniper Point.  All of these islands are privately-owned.  However, Outer Island (a wild life refuge) is open to the public, two weekends a year.  There are some interesting views of the other islands, from the elevated beach areas.

High Island can be paddled through the center, when the tide is high enough.  The area bounded by Governor Island in the north, High Island in the west, Outer Island in the south, and Money Island in the east is great for kayakers; the jet skis prefer the wide-open areas.  And there are lots of small rocky outcroppings to hide between.  (Power boats cannot get into these shallow areas.)

Stay mindful of the tides and wind.  When the tide is coming in, you will feel a coolness from the Atlantic.  The water around the Thimbles is shallow, so it warms up quickly, making it warmer than the rest of the Sound.  Also, because of the shallowness, any kind of wind, coming from L.I. Sound, causes 1' or more wave heights.

Fees

None.

Directions

Take route 95 north, to exit 56, bearing to the right.  This is Leetes Island Road.  After crossing Stony Creek Road, this becomes Thimble Island Road.  Continue south until you see the boat ramp on the right side of the road.  (If you come to the Linden Point Road intersection, you have gone too far.)  Grab parking as close to the ramp as possible.

You reach route 95 in CT by taking the NJ Turnpike to the George Washington Bridge.  I prefer to take route 579 north to route 31 north, to route 202 north.  Take route 202 north to route 287.  Take route 287 north to the end (just beyond Mahwah), taking route 87 over the Tapan Zee Bridge.  Get off at exit 8, route 287 south.  Take route 287 south to route 95 north.  This route is longer than using the NJ Turnpike, mountainous (by NJ standards), scenic, and less stressful.

Parking

Horrible.  I was lucky on back-to-back visits to park near the strip of grass, to the right of the boat ramp.  On a nice weekend day, do NOT be shocked if you have to park a block, or more away.

Distance to the Launch Area

Unless you are lucky enough to park next to the boat ramp, put your boat on the grassy area to the right of the ramp, then get a buddy to move the boat to the launch area.

Restrooms

There is port-a-john in the strip of grass near the boat launch area.  A better choice is the one of the rest stops on nearby route 95.

Status of Launch Area

Go to the left of the boat ramp.  This area is sandy, muddy, and somewhat gravely.  The boat ramp, besides the domain of the power boats, gets very slippery.

Wind Conditions

Given that this is large bay, winds can get very nasty. But in my 4 visits, conditions have been calm.  (Less than 10 mph, sustained.)  However, once you clear the shelter of the islands, the Long Island Sound can get rough.

Power Boats

The sky is the limit.  This is Long Island Sound: Power boats & jet skis abound.  But the former tend to take it easy, until they clear Outer Island. 

Foliage

Do not know.  I have not been here in the fall.  Consider another location, due to the limited number of trees. 

Rolling Practice?

The Long Island Sound is a huge bay, occasionally windy, wavy, and smelling of sea life.  Consider another location.