Sheffield Island Lighthouse Reviews

We took the Sheffield Island Ferry to the Island and Lighthouse last Saturday. It was a great boat ride thru the harbor and out to the island. Tour of the Lighthouse and nature walk tour were very nice. Lot's of great history of the area. Being only a mile or so from the mainland, yet with the peacefulness of the island and the water was wonderful. Everyone was very helpful and the snack shop made good fresh coffee.

My family and I have taken this boat ride to Sheffield Island 4 times now. It's always a great little trip. An easy boat ride there and a couple of hours on the island. You can pack a snack, explore the island, the beach (always abundant in shells) or lighthouse. The Captain and crew are always pleasant and informative about the Norwalk coastline and island history. An easy boat ride back and my family and I grab lunch in SONO before heading home. Great day.

We enjoyed the details our Cpt. had about the bridges and other boats along the way to the light house. We also Loved the Oyster history in the area. When we arrived at the light house it was a clear day and we could see as far as we could see including Long Island.
The Light House history was really amazing especially the kitchen area. I appreciated the trail was made out of sea shells. I found it interesting that i have lived in CT for 3 years and the Light House was the only area I have ever seen so many alive and dead Horse Shoe Crab!!
What an amazing trip.
My only thought is that I wish it was longer~
Scott & Traci Bisson
Plainville, CT

The ferry ride was wonderful. The captain and tour guide were great. The island is so pretty. We brought a picnic lunch and there are many tables and grassy areas . The lighthouse tour was nice and the walking trail around the island was so pleasant. Just a relaxing day with gorgeous scenery Wear sneakers and long pants if you walk the trail.

We took this excursion with our 5 and 1 year old. The bugs were such an issue that it ruined the whole trip. Mosquitoes, ticks (yes, dear can swim to the island and brought Lyme. Employees confirmed Lyme is on the island), all kinds of biting insects I can't name. My kids, despite having bug spray on, left with horrible bites on their arms, legs, faces.
Even if the bugs were not an issue I'd never do this trip again. It's not a very pretty island, there is not much to do after the first 10 minutes, and you are stuck until the ferry comes back.

Easy and fun little cruise to Sheffield Lighthouse. Period pieces in the the lighthouse and there is a small snack shack available - nice picnic grounds.
I brought a 3.5 yr old and 5.5 yr old.

This was so much fun! The ferry ride/tour to the island was fun and informative. The island and lighthouse also. The only mistake I made was booking without any research bc otherwise I would have packed a cooler and blanket to picnic. Crew on the boat was awesome.

The small ferry out to Sheffield Island seats about 45 people. It's clean and comfortable for the 45 minute ride.The captain narrates about local sights and some history. We were able to see Norwalk from the water, lots of boats and oyster fishing. The island is a small refuge without much to see other than the lighthouse and the view of Long Island Sound. Long Island is visible also. We couldn't go to the top of the lighthouse because of renovations. There was a tour guide for the house. He was informative and interesting. Overall, it's worth the time, about 3 hours, and the money, about $20, just to smell the salt air and hear the surf.

Great place to take a nice picnic lunch and explore the Island. It's quiet and there aren't that many people there. The lighthouse itself is very interesting and beautiful
. There are trails outside to roam around on. This is a wonderful spot to spend the day as a family excursion.

We had a wonderful experience on the boat ride and time spent on Sheffield Island. The views are beautiful, and it's a perfect getaway for just a few hours on a nice day. The narration on the boat ride was informative, even for this Norwalker, and the tour of the lighthouse was quite interesting. Next time, I will pack some of my own snacks since there are only chips, water, and hot dogs available on the island, and bug spray. Great location for photos.

It is a lovely way to spend the day with my grandkids. Just wish it was at least an hour longer. Not enough time on the Island.

Wonderful afternoon ! Great crew- lots of very interesting informative history. Feels like you are away for a long tine( in a very good way!)so very relaxing and make sure to marvel at the Osprey nests on the island.

Looking for something to do in Norwalk during the Spring and Summer months? Look no further. A step back in time is what this is with modern arrangements. Take a quick ride on a boat, dock take pictures, a picnic, and a bucket or bag to collect shells or rocks. In New England, especially Connecticut, there is nothing else like it. History, education, and a little break from the hustle and bustle of bigger water adventures. A great quick solution-an adventure awaits in Norwalk..check it out.

We went as a family to Sheffield Island on a Sunday afternoon. The captain and first mate were extremely knowledgeable about the Norwalk Harbor and LI sound and answered any questions from the passengers. The island was great for exploring. I would recommend bringing sunscreen and bug repellent.

Went to South Norwalk and Sheffield Lighthouse as a day trip from NYC in early August. The ferry ride out was lovely and relaxing, and the operators pointed out local points of interest and history along the way. The main attractions on the island itself are the lighthouse itself, a cute little snack shop, a nature trail (full of mosquitos; use the complimentary bug spray upon arrival on the island), and walking along the shore. In place of sand, you walk over millions of tiny shells! The Saturday we came here the weather was very hot and humid; I recommend bringing a picnic basket and going when it's a wee bit cooler, like September. In all, an enjoyable experience!

What a wonderful experience as 22 members of United Presbyterian Church of Milford sailed Norwalk Harbor and had lunch on Sheffield Island. We toured the lighthouse, walked the nature trail, looked for shells along the beach and bird watched. A glorious day for all. Everyone in our group wants to go back with family and friends. The staff is incredible to work with and the happiest group you will ever meet!

What a fun 1/2 day trip out through Norwalk Harbor to Sheffield Island. Great time, bring a picnic or get some food at the concession stand. Hot dogs s hamburgers etc not much else. But we he island is fun to walk around and the view from the light house is neat. Just a real nice easy trip for a family on a nice day. Check it out!

Fantastic and welcoming crew, we felt safe and cared for during the whole trip. Dan provide an excellent tour out to the Island, and on the Island and in the Lighthouse. Tour time is perfect, neither too short or long.

It was a Perfect Day weather wise. The staff was great and very helpful. Great boat ride and captain--very informative, lots of information on Norwalk, Norwalk River and Long Island Sound. It was the last day, last trip of the season 2018--and a Super Sunny Day! There was a tour of the Lighthouse inside -very nicely done. The lighthouse is set up with furniture of the era, 1868. The society that maintains the island and lighthouse work hard to maintain it and keep it preserved. We could walk the grounds freely and see the island. Geese were grazing on the grass. Everything was picturesque, the rocky shore line, tall grasses growing high, and blue skies. A wonderful time to spend a few hours on a beautiful day! A must do outing if in the area.

I have been on both the afternoon tours of the island as well as the clam bake event on Thursday nights. The experiences are quite different. The afternoon tour offers an opportunity to really explore the island. The narrated ride out is informative, and the island is a real treasure. The clam bake is also enjoyable. The food is not outstanding, but the environment truly is remarkable! Drinking wine with friends and taking in a breathtaking sunset was an excellent way to end the day. I highly recommend checking this out!

Great way to spend a nice summer day!
Nice and knowledgeable ferry crew and lighthouse guides.We had even ,,haunted lighthouse,, tour and around 1.5 hours for island exploring.

Who knew a lighthouse like this existed just off the coast in Connecticut. The ferry ride out was very relaxing and informative........plenty to look at and a great vantage point to see the coast of the area. The island itself is much larger that I anticipated and a perfect spot for a Summer picnic. The lighthouse is very impressive and the staff very knowledgeable.

Perfect outing for couple or families, you can't go wrong. Highly recommend!!!

I've been wanting to go here for a long time! Last summer I put a trip together with some friends and we had a blast! Met other nice people and ate delicious food! It was a lot of fun eating under the tents and on the water! Toured the lighthouse and the grounds! The food was not only delicious, but plentiful! We could go back for seconds! The boat ride back was very cool! A trip definitely worth the money!!!

Wonderful boat ride to the island, sights along the way, and interesting tour of the lighthouse as well as chance to walk around the island and into the nature preserve. Everything was well managed and run.

The boat ride out to this lighthouse was educational, beautiful and just fun. Once we arrived at the island, we were greeted by Pirates who made it very entertaining for the young and the old. Our tour guide while in the lighthouse was Greg, and he was just a delight. I recommend this Lighthouse and trail.

Totally recommend this three hour boat ride and tour of the historic lighthouse on Sheffield Island. The adult cost of $22. (a bit less for seniors) is a bargain. Kids are less. Nick did a good job narrating the sights on the twenty minute boat trip to the Island. Once there, Jim took over welcoming us and giving us an interesting tour of the lighthouse with lots of facts about lighthouse life and the surrounding waters. The19th and early 20th century household items were quite interesting. Jim's talk is good for all ages. He was really great with the children. There is a short nature walk on the island. The pace of the tour and time on the island is very relaxed. Some folks brought a picnic lunch. There is a snack bar, too. Our weather was summer perfect, so that didn't hurt either.

Excellent for short trip to enjoy the Island and the Lighthouse! Beautifully restored 1868 lighthouse - looking forward to a return trip once the cast iron cupola is restored! Staff was friendly and very knowledgeable - highly recommend if you're interested in a tour of the Norwalk Harbor and some interesting history!

We had a lovely tour of the Sheffield Island Lighthouse this summer. Took the ferry over, which was well narrated and then we toured the island. Self-guided walking tour of the island ended with a surprise "Haunted Lighthouse" tour we happened to catch which was a lot of fun...never know who was luring in the corners of the historic old lighthouse. Beautiful, scenic, and lots of info from the lighthouse keeper and tour guides.

The captain and shipmates were amazing! They gave a quality sea-tour of the sound, naming all the islands and giving an interesting history of them. The island is quiet and serene. A throwback to the way things SHOULD BE! Bring a blanket and picnic, you will enjoy!!!

The ferry was great and the staff was engaging. The island was beautiful and had beautiful views. The lighthouse is neat but we couldn't go up into the light (there was no light anyway). It was nice for something to do that day. I would love to do the other cruises and activities they offer some time.

At sheffield we saw a great place at sheffiled everybody should of saw it it was very nice and it was nice!

The main house is well maintained but still needs more and better customer service, there is not signs in Spanish, with a huge Hispanic community living in Norwalk this not make sense. If you want to walk around the island, if it does have protection the mosquitoes will eat you alive

Today the weather was perfect for a cruise to the sheffield island lighthouse and nature trail. John and Danny were wonderful and very informative. I highly recommend going here, so relaxing and peaceful.
Thanks again Danny and John for a great day:)

This was a great experience! I had no idea there were not one, but two lighthouses you could visit here in Norwalk! The tour of the harbor out to Green’s Ledge Lighthouse was very informative and the guide, Nacho, had a lot of great information and was quite funny. Captain Al was also very professional and made the trip smooth and relaxing. The Green’s Ledge team was also great! Their commitment to the lighthouse and their community is heartwarming, it’s great to see a dedicated family involved in the project. Our time at Sheffield Island was also pleasant. Nacho was well informed about the lighthouse's history during our tour of the old lighthouse and the other guide, Lorena, was very kind in bringing us up to the top of the lighthouse (the view was incredible). Both guides were very helpful and professional. I'd definitely recommend others to take the tour out to Green’s Ledge Lighthouse and Sheffield Island Lighthouse, it’s a hidden gem here in Norwalk. I will definitely be returning for a Clambake next season 😊.

The boat ride to the lighthouse is around 25 minutes. On your way out, you're treated to a tour of the landmarks along the way. You are then given a couple of hours on the island to see the lighthouse, walk the nature trail, or have a bite to eat. The staff is great.

My husband and I took the boat out to the island, packed some sandwiches and wine to celebrate my birthday and had our own little picnic. We took a tour of the lighthouse and walked the nature trail. It was a very relaxing day, I only wish we could've stayed longer! They give you about an hour and a half on the island before the boat returns to take you home.

I highly discourage anyone from attending the "clam bake" on Sheffield Island put on by Norwalk Seaport Association. I cannot call it a clam bake as we received 4 bowls of empty shells.
Advertised - steamer bag of clams, mussels, corn on cob...." yet we were last in line to hear "oh, we are out of clams and mussels". After talking to a person in charge, they found us 6 mussels to share between 4 of us. Main course is pre-ordered - though we ordered 2 lobsters, they only had one for us.
On the island, the lighthouse keeper and ferry captain were very sympathetic, provided contact information, wanted to hear how this was resolved. the next day, we got a call from the office - for a full refund. We wanted to be reasonable and suggested rather than them losing money, just refund half our 300.00+ bill. She was going to call me back on Monday (that was Friday). Tuesday, I called and got, oh no, you misunderstood. I talked to boat captain and he expressed outrage - he stated he talked to the persident of association and the lady had been told FULL refund. Heard nothing. emailed captain twice, no answer, talked to lighthouse keeper, he was "outraged". bottom line, last night they told us they are refunding one meal and price of ferry to island (nice, considering that was all part of the price of meal). Bottom line - nice people, nice island, they appear to me to be out only for money and do not care about their customer. Great at lip service, and from what the cook told us, this is a frequent occurence. No followthrough and their words mean nothing to me. Very disappointed in evening and the following events.

Informative tour on the history of the lighthouse and what it was like to live on the island in 19th and 20th centuries. Furnishings and photos are original.

We had an absolutely wonderful time going in the Sheffield Island cruise. The staff were so welcoming and knowledgeable. The information they shared throughout the boat ride was very interesting. Once on the island, we had a great time walking the water and collecting shells. We also did a tour of the light house which was cool. There is an area to have a picnic lunch which was nice. Overall definitely worth going. I highly recommend this tour. I know we will for sure be doing it again!

Our boating trip was the perfect (or almost perfect amount of time)....we ALL wanted to stay longer on Sheffield Island! Learning about the Norwalk shoreline and then having a great tour of the lighthouse given with interest and enthusiasm by the guides was wonderful. We brought a picnic and enjoyed the shells on the shoreline. Next time we will go on the trails and walk on more beaches. It was a fabulous time for all of us....ages....2, 6, 10, and 3 adults! It was interesting and beautiful and the boat ride pleased us all. Thank you!

We enjoyed a great boat ride with a historical narrative, chatted with the crew, toured the lighthouse with informative history by the guides. The trip was affordable and we highly recommend!

It was way better than we all expected, very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Clean surroundings and breath taking views.

We purchased tickets ahead of time and parked in the Maritime Garage, a short walk from the dock where the boat took us to Sheffield Island. I was with my three teenage grandchildren and we enjoyed ourselves. The information shared on the boat and at the Lighthouse was very interesting. We hiked around the island, in the woods and on the beach. An enjoyable afternoon.

Our family went out to Sheffield Island on "Pirates Weekend ." This was our second time out on this fun weekend in the past two years. We had a great tour of the lighthouse and relaxed on the beach there.

Very convenient & fun half day outing. 30 min boat ride + 90 mins on island. Lighthouse is well preserved and fun. The nature preserve makes for an interesting walk.

The Sheffield island lighthouse complex is a must see if visiting the Norwalk/westport area. You can take a ferry from the maritime center or go by your own boat. It is on an island run by the norwalk seaport that also offers thursday night clambakes. Climbing the lighthouse is a visit back in history and a very interesting experience. Walking the paths of the island is also a must do if you enjoy the outdoors. I would suggest a visit by kayak... but any way to go is fun and is worth the trip.

Tour guide gave us history of area while on our ride on the ferry. You have about 1 1/2 hours to explore the island and take photos. We toured the lighthouse, but the very top was not open. They sell some souvenirs and drinks, hot dogs. You may bring your own food and you may fish the shoreline. Pretty place with a breeze.

Great time would recommend it to all. The tour of the lighthouse was very interesting and you could not find a more beautiful place to enjoy the water. The guides on the ferry were great too!

We just did the ferry ride and light house tour/nature walk and had a wonderful time. All of the staff were great, and very friendly and knowledgable. If you haven't had a chance to do this yet, we would highly recommend. We had a nice picnic while there as well. This is a great excursion for individuals, couples or families.

Looking for a break from reality? This afternoon getaway is the perfect opportunity to put your concerns to rest and enjoy something new. Both the Captain and the First Mate were a pleasure to cruise out with. Beautiful views, well kept and easy to navigate trails, clean outhouses, snack stand, helpful staff. Not much more you can ask for. Very therapeutic and I will certainly be going out again this summer.

I found the views to be great and the atmosphere relaxing. The island is not wheelchair accessible however my son got around just fine with his forearm crutches.

Awesome ferry ride, lighthouse is very nice and loved the outside lounge chairs to relax. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes if you want to climb all the way to the top of the lighthouse, steps are narrow and steep. Pack a picnic, there are picnic tables

We took the ferry out here and had a nice time. They offer a free tour of the lighthouse which was fun. There is a nature trail that was okay to do. You can also walk around other parts of the island There are some pretty views from the island also.

Had a great time with my friends, great boat ride, the tour guide was awesome and we learned so much on our trip over there.

Short cruise to the lighthouse, interesting visit for adults or children, not much else to do once you get there. They do limit your time on the island it would be nice to be able to spend a few hours just enjoying quiet time or a picnic lunch. The walk thru the trails is heavily covered with bugs so be prepared if you plan to walk thru it. The cruise over was delightful!

I debated at first to going on the trip! Only because I am new to CT. I did not regret a single part!.... Everyone was so friendly!!! I brought a cooler with me , once I got on the island I placed it on a picnic table and left to explore. When my husband and I returned for a quick drink, someone placed a huge rock on top of the cooler to prevent the lid from flying away!!! I am assuming it was one of the employees:) Thank you so much for a great experience!:)

I love going on the ferry ride to Sheffield Island. I love lighthouses and enjoyed the historic talk about the lighthouse and island by the light keeper. The only problem was I forgot bug spray so I had several mosquito bites, but with insect repellant it would be fine. I cannot wait to go back again before the nd of the season!

I took my family of 6. The outing was great. 40min boat ride during which they gave us some interesting information about the surroundings and fairly up close views of Osprey nests. Kids loved that. We spent about 1.5hr on the island - had lunch, toured the lighthouse for 15min, and walked the wildlife trail. Then back on the boat. So, for kids, the timing was perfect - not too long. Everyone had a great time. And next time, I'd plan to bring a picnic lunch as the grounds are well-maintained. Definitely worth the outing.

This is a great family ferry ride out to a nearby historic island in the Long Island Sound. Guide Greg and Captain John were fantastic and got along great with all the kids on board. The short ferry ride and historic tour perfectly augments a day trip to the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium.

This is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon. The boat trip out to the Island is delightful. The tour of the lighthouse is very interesting. There is a nice picnic area so bring your lunch and enjoy the beautiful water surroundings and views. Please bring bug spray as the mosquitoes can be a problem.Also wear long pants as it helps.

Nice and beautiful getaway. Would love to go back again. Summer and fall is the best time to visit this Connecticut's Long island sound gem. Picnicking will be fun as well too.

Sheffield Island is just a short trip out of Norwalk Harbor on the Seaport Association boat. Expect beach combing, nature trails, corn-hole and fascinating tour of the historic lighthouse. This is a great trip for couples, families or a solo trip to clear the head in the salty breeze.

The trip was wonderful! Our guide Danny was interesting, engaging, and funny, the boat was comfortable and our time on Sheffield Island was a lot of fun. The Fish and Wildlife Dept. interns on the island were warm and welcoming and gave a nice tour both of the lighthouse and of the nature preserve. We highly recommend this trip!

best trip, spend the day, bring your cooler of food and drinks, and just relax. They also offer special trips, check them out.

Great way to spend an afternoon or evening. Crew was friendly, informative and knowledgeable. Very scenic and interesting experience. Great example of historic, restored lighthouse.

Family member found this online. Born and raised in the area and never knew this existed! Starts with a pleasant ride on a water taxi type boat off dock near Maritime Center. A tour guide points out local points of interest on the ride out to the lighthouse. The weather was great and the ride was so nice. Once we pulled in to the lighthouse dock - given time to visit the snack bar and sit under the pavillion or walk around and enjoy the view. 20 minute tour of the lighthouse (lower floors only) with well-educated guides. Spent 1.5 hours on the island and a pleasant ride back to the dock. We followed this with lunch on the patio at the Sono Seafood House, pointed out on the tour. Day and sunset tours, private tours, corporate, etc., plus special events. Would definitely do this again. Wonderful staff. Thank you so much.

Some tips:
Buy your tickets online. If you wait till you get to the dock, may be sold out.
Bring snacks, drinks. Snack bar limited, but offers chips, hotdogs, drinks.
Sunglasses, sunscreen and pre-trip dip in bug spray a must.
Wear sneakers. No sandals. The local geese leave lots of "presents" on the grass.
Wear lighter colored clothes. No perfumes, scented lotions. Bugs love scent and dark clothes. Bottles of bug spray at the snack bar for your use.
FYI - we couldn't (I see in other reviews as well) get up into the lighthouse. There is a telescope on the front lawn to catch some views.
All in all, a great day. Well kept island (despite the family of geese, which staffers attempt to chase away) and respectful of heritage, great staff, many tours to pick from and special events at the lighthouse (haunted weekend, pirate weekend, clam bakes...). Reasonably priced tickets, parking (pay) lot at dock.

Enjoy!

I highly recommend this outing for anyone looking to spend a nice summer day on the water. This trip is great for all age groups. My friend and I went and enjoyed ourselves so much. We both grew up in Norwalk and were shocked that we hadn't heard about this tour until this point in our lives. We had a great day, the staff was friendly and helpful. The boat ride was beautiful and the amount of time on the island was just right (about 2 hours). We will definitely go again next summer!

I live in the area and have never been out to the lighthouse before. Was very pleased with the kindness of the crew and staff at the dock. Booking was very easy via their website as well. Harbor tour was very informative and educational. Views were great (we had awesome weather mind you) and the island and lighthouse were very nice. All around inexpensive nice little getaway.

Only bad part of the whole experience was that there were many ticks on the island if you choose to roam around. I would bring bug spray/tick repellent.

My team at work went on this outing; it was completely worth it! The boat ride was very relaxing and one of the tour operators provided us interesting facts about the waterway and the homes along the way.

Although the island is small, there's a lot to do in the time you're given. You can take a tour of the lighthouse, or walk along one of the trails. We ended up bringing some food with us and took advantage of one of the island's many picnic tables.

The views are beautiful and the history surrounding the island is pretty neat. Once you're back in Norwalk, you're close to tons of restaurants and shops, so you can certainly make a whole day of it.

The staff was wonderful. They made it fun for kids with games for them to do while on Sheffield Island. Beautiful scenery!

Pleasant, tranquil ferry out of Norwalk Harbor to an 1860s lighthouse. Walk the coastline on Sheffield Island, or just take in the views. And you'll be supporting the Norwalk Seaport Association, which can certainly use your help.

It was a great boat ride out and touring the lighthouse and growns. We went in a group and had a picnic dinner. Had lots of fun.

We visited Sheffield Island for pirates weekend with our grandsons, aged 8 and 6. The ferry ride to the island was great and the commentary during the ride interesting. It was the first visit for all of us and one we will most assuredly do again, but next time with bug spray! The boys really enjoyed the pirate reenactment and we all enjoyed the lighthouse. They are still talking about our day there!

Spend a fun day or half day on this mini stay-cation in Norwalk. Who knew this cool place existed! Take the boat out to the island, explore the outdoors, explore the building, sit outside and have a picnic by the sea! Get away from the hustle and bustle for a few quiet hours! Enjoy!

Went with two families and four kids during Memorial weekend; the ferry ride was uneventful, pleasant with good folks to guide us. People on the island were great; lighthouse tour was quick and lively due to the guides. Had a great time interacting with nature.

Great folks, scruby island. Could have used another 45 minutes on island to explore. Pleasant way to lose an afternoon.

It's a very nice family adventure. Children are welcome. The boat ride is nice and informative. Do not sit up front if you want to hear what the guide is saying about the Norwalk coastline: there are no speakers up front. After a 30 minutes boat ride you arrive to Sheffield Island. The lighthouse tour lasts about 15 minutes. The rest of the time you are free to take pictures and roam around the island. All in all, it was a 3-hour trip. Recommended!!

We had a lovely cruise to the island. The tour of the Lighthouse was very interesting. We brought a picnic lunch and enjoyed the view of the sound while we ate. Later we walked along the nature trail. All very enjoyable.

Once you are dropped off by the ferry, you are given about an hour and a half and meet back at the boat to depart at that time. There is a nature trail to the left which is more of grassland than anything else and leads to the beaching area which goes back to where the boat docked. There is a small concession stand selling hot dogs, drinks and chips. You can buy a combo of all three for $5. There are a bunch of panic tables covered by a canopy where you can bring food and drinks and have a picnic. There does seem to be any restrictions on what you can bring as people brought lots of food including a cooler of beer, which you are free to consume even while on the boatride over. There were a few of activities for the kids such as volleyball, sandbag tosses and frisbees. Lastly there is the lighthouse itself which has two floors and offers some cool looking rooms of long ago. At this time the lighthouse itself is closed without an estimated timeframe of reopening. That would have been the only thing I would have liked to do that I didnt get a chance to do.

Pleasant ferry ride across the Norwalk Harbor to the lighthouse with very entertaining and informative boat captain & guide. The tour of the lighthouse itself is short, and I wish we could have gone up into the actual light (under renovation) but the feeling of being far away from civilization (even though you're not) and the view are well worth it. Bring a picnic (no real food to purchase on the boat or island) and walk the short trail to a wildlife observation deck, then walk back along the beach. Just wear good shoes (the trail is marshy and the beach is shell-y) and be prepared to use an outhouse (which was actually very clean when we visited).

I enjoyed the Boat ride, lighthouse tour, and the views from the Island. I sprayed my legs at home with old OFF, and used the Bug spray available on the island on my arms, but my legs were the only place I did not get bitten. My Back, neck , Arms and fingers were devoured and I was in Agony.

6 children and 6 adults, wonderful picnic excursion. We were able to pack our own lunch. They have a small concession stand and a bunch of picnic tables under a tent. Two outdoor bathrooms and bathroom in the ferry. Great tour through and up to the top of the lighthouse. We had a wonderful time.

My family and I enjoyed the boat ride to Sheffield Island Lighthouse.
The stuff are wonderful and they give a little history on the way to the lighthouse and they take you in the lighthouse to walk inside.
They have food stand and bathrooms. For those who love taking photographs it's a beautiful lighthouse to take awesome images. My passion is photographing places I visit and I have posted my images on TripAdvisor!

If you want to do a bit of exploring, I highly recommend this trip!
Good for singles, couples, and families. Fun and a great way to support our parks and wildlife.

My family and I went on the short boat trip to Sheffield Island and its Lighthouse. The boat ride was fun and entertaining, we learned a lot about the harbor area and it was relaxing.

The Lighthouse is very interesting and a fun place to explore. Definitely bring a lunch some lemonade and just enjoy looking at the sound, long Island and the harbor with all the houses.

It was a unique experience! It's amazing to visit this beautiful small island hidden in Connecticut. What made the experience even better was the staff and interns especially Ray, Pat (ticket booth), Nick, Danny, Deleni and Kirkland. I lost my glasses on the trip and they went above and beyond to help me find them. I recommend this day trip to everyone...great place and staff! And it's cheap given the boat ride and experience.

What a great ferry ride to a historic old lighthouse!! The staff was very helpful. Due to renovations and safety, you are not able to go to the lantern room. But still so worth it!! The only thing I wish I would have done differently is have toured the whole island, because apparently you can friend some pretty unique shells! The staff even mailed me a lighthouse stamp to add to my collection.

Lovely day out, great boat ride over seeing the many islands. The walkways were closed when we were there so not a great deal to do other than relax and enjoy the scenery.

Beautiful historic buildings and a nature preserve. Very informative tour of the lighthouse. Lots of local history.
Small wetlands preserve with nature trails and a viewing platform.
I enjoyed every minute on the island.

M&Ms for mosquitoes and meter maids. If you like feeling like the fish being shot in a barrel, this outing is for you. The island is infested with mosquitoes. The lobster dinner is in the evening and the moment that lobster juice hits your fingers, get ready to eat fast and run (altho nowhere to go). Best thing is to get away from the lights of the tent ASAP. If you decide to go, wear bug gear, a hat, and bring plenty of spray. I would not bring a child or infant. Now make sure you leave enough money in the meter to last at least until 10pm; otherwise, while you are getting chased down, the meter maid is hunting down cars whose time has expired, even by 15 mins (as was our case). BTW there is no notice anywhere on the dock or near the meter to let you know how much time you need to safely escape a ticket. The only saving grace of this event is the people who take you to and from the island and those who cook and serve the food. They were all extremely pleasant. The food was average; too bad it had to be consumed so quickly.

We loved the boat ride over to Sheffield Island last week. We nabbed the last seats in the shade...I’d say line up to pick your seat early.

The lighthouse tour itself was quick and interesting. You can see the old living quarters but not the top of the lighthouse. After that we had a picnic and relaxed under a tree.

There are picnic tables and lawn games. You can also walk along part of the beach and a trail but we didn’t due to the heat and laziness.

Bring bug spray for sure. Enjoy the sights on the water!

The trip out is enjoyable as you pass old estates and many islands. when you arrive you will be taken buy the historic nature of the Lighthouse and surrounding building. Picnic areas are available so bring the goodies. Make sure you take a tour of the lighthouse and enjoy a nature walk on the island.

We visited the Sheffield Lighthouse with our two grandchildren, ages 5-1/2 and 3-1/2. It was the first time they were ever on a "boat" and they loved it. The Captain and tour Captain were knowledgeable, friendly and welcoming. We packed a picnic lunch, toured the lighthouse and followed the nature trail in search of shells. The lighthouse it very interesting and the kids loved the entire excursions. A great day!

My husband and I went on the Sheffield Island Lighthouse and Nature Trail Tour yesterday ,06/30/2014, and it was great!
The staff are professional, courteous ,friendly and knowledgeable. Points of interest were pointed out during our trip to the island. Once there we were given a tour of the Lighthouse and then able to spend time walking the Nature Trail, eating under the tents and thoroughly enjoying the scenery.
We would definitely recommend this excursion to all!
Thanks for a very fun time!!!

If you're ever in Norwalk, CT, and are looking for something to do, you need to consider taking the ferry out to the Sheffield Island Lighthouse. It was a beautiful day when we were there. A little hazy over the water so we couldn't see the NY City skyline clearly, but a wonderful day nonetheless. The ferry leaves from the historic downtown area that has been restored and now is home to some wonderful restaurants also. It's just next to the Aquarium, which is another great thing to do here. Norwalk was just a hidden gem of a city and the Sheffield Island Lighthouse trip was a highlight.

There was a brief tour of the lighthouse and then we had over an hour to roam around the island and relax in the Adirondack chairs looking out at the water before it was time to head back. They serve food and soft drinks at a tent near the lighthouse and it was fun to have a little picnic on their grounds. Truly a great attraction along the Connecticut coastline.

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour to the Sheffield Lighthouse in Norwalk! Captain John, Zoe and Jackson were fantastic! The cruise was relaxing, and we totally enjoyed Zoe’s presentation of the history of the lighthouses, islands and other geographical structures from the river to the Long Island Sound! We learned a lot about the area. Equally as entertaining was Jackson’s tour of the Sheffield Lighthouse. He did a great job, and the lighthouse is certainly an amazing historic landmark! Captain John was a calm, cool and patient captain, who really made us feel safe and comfortable on the boat. The experience was wonderful, and we highly recommend this fascinating and enlightening tour!

Great way to spend the afternoon! You only need a few hours Jim the first mate have a great tour of the light house and local area. Captain Bill and Jim are the best!

Alex
Norwalk

My son and I had a great day. The boat ride was smooth and got a lot of info. You can pack your lunch and eat at the beach. The staffs who work here are very knowledgeable. Highly recommend for family day out if you are in this area.

A great time! Captain John is the essence of good boating skills. The outgoing tour was informative and interesting. Lighthouse tour and picnic so special. So great seeing the Ospreys fledglings!

Sheffield Island lighthouse and the Stuart B McKinney Nature Trail is absolutely spectacular, especially if you are a lighthouse enthusiast. Word of caution... bring bug spray. They are thick. The crew of the ferry, as well as the guides were wonderful. A must do.

We really enjoyed exploring this small island - we saw plenty of wildlife, looked through the telescope, and had lunch in the picnic area. We couldn't go up in the actual tower, but it's still a pleasant place to explore. The staff were very informative and answered our questions. I don't think we needed the whole hour we were allotted, but it was a nice day, so we had time to relax and enjoy the gorgeous views before taking the ferry back.

This was a great ferry ride and tour of the 119 year old lighthouse on Sheffield Island in Norwalk, CT. It was a beautiful day to be out on the water, and the tour of the lighthouse was informative. We were able to walk up to the top of the lookout, and see 360 views. We walked the nature trail and had lunch on the island before boarding the ferry heading back to South Norwalk. Well worth the price!

Beautiful trip. Great scenery. Very reasonable. Bring your lunch and you'll have a great day. Boat ride enjoyable and crew friendly& helpful.

I'm originally from Norwalk but had never taken the trip out to Sheffield Island until July 30. I booked online and took the train to the South Norwalk Station and walked over to the dock adjacent to the Maritime Aquarium IMAX Theater (where they have a public restroom, by the way). You could take a cab but it's less than a half mile. The boat ride out was about 30 min and they give a little talk about the harbor and the landmarks to and from Sheffield. When you disembark you can just relax in chairs or bring a little snack with you or buy a hot dog if you like. They will take you on the tour of the old lighthouse and tell you the history of the island. There is also a short nature walk if you choose. It was just enough time for our almost 4 year old granddaughter. Everyone on our boat had a great time. It fits about 30 people or so. It's quite a good size and they follow all the safety precautions.

We were looking for a day outing with our 6 year old granddaughter and thought this would b a fun excursion. Getting to the dock was easy and parking is right there. Very easy to get to from I-95. We had booked our tickets ahead of time and read reviews so knew enough to bring bug spray. Turns out the bugs were plentiful and the trail was closed, and even though I was disappointed, we didn't need it in the time we had.

The ferry ride as about 35 minutes, relaxing. The ferry passes a private island that was once owned by the Broadway producer Billy Rose. It must have been wonderful in his lifetime.

The lighthouse is neat, identical to the North Lighthouse on Block Island. It is furnished in the late 1880's and was fun to share with our granddaughter. We could do two floors but not to the top.

The coast is rocky and not great for barefeet if you want to walk along the water and there really isn't a place on the beach to sit. There are Adirondack chairs in several spots for relaxing and watching the water. There was one area near the boat dock where kids went into the water. We picked up shells and rocks and had a rock tossing contest. I wish we had brought her bathing suit so she could have gotten all wet but it was fine.

We packed some food and the hotdogs were "eh" - nothing to savor. Getting to the pavilion to eat was tricky as you had to watch out for all the geese droppings. It ws an obstacle course.

The views are wonderful, even on a hot day it was cool out there. Only 35 minutes off the mainland and you feel worlds away. I wish we could've stayed longer but it is timed and then it is back to the ferry for the return ride.

A family could make a day of it by doing this, grabbing some lunch and then going to the Aquarium which is right there.

The crew was kind and courteous and knowledgeable. We had a great time exploring the island with our kids. Highly recommend it!

Took the ferry to Sheffield Island Lighthouse yesterday. The weather was stunning, the young man giving the tour was very informative and the Captain, Mike, very experienced in these waters. Clearly, traversing these islands is very confusing and dangerous if you have not been educated about boating safety and the tides and rock formations surrounding Norwalk's Islands. He and other staff members have also worked so hard to clean up after the damage Sandy caused.
We had an interesting tour of the lighthouse although the tower currently closed for repairs. There was time for a picnic lunch and a walk along the beach and trails. So beautiful and peaceful!!
We were warned to stay clear of remains of old mansion on one end of island as wooded area tick-infested and treacherous. Thirty min. ferry ride each way with about 2 hours on Island. Worth every second!!!

so quaint, interesting story, beautiful light house, and really lovely grounds. we had such a nice picnic on the island am
nd enjoyed the ferry to and fro.

We had friends visiting from the UK and were looking for a quiet way to spend a hot day. We decided to take the train to Norwalk and take the Sheffield Island & Lighthouse tour, as my friend is an avid birder back home. The catamaran to the island was lovely, and the Captain and first mate were fun and informative. The island area for exploring was a bit small, but pretty, and we had a fun time eating hot dogs and watching the sea from a picnic table. It was a surprising find and one I will definitely repeat.
The only issue we had was that when we left the RR station, no one seemed to have any idea that there was a tour to the island. We finally had to get a taxi and give him directions from our phone as to how to get to the dock - meanwhile we were less than half a mile away!

The ferry captain will give a narration on the way out, including some history of the 13 islands , and information on navigation, fishing etc., He answered a lot of questions on various topics from people on our tour. It's a 45 minute ride each way to Sheffield Island. There is a bathroom on the boat. There is no running water on the island so they have an out house for your needs. It is immaculate and odor free. You can take along a picnic lunch. There were hot dogs, bagged chips and other snacks, and bottled water sold by the lighthouse keeper. Some picnic tables are set up under the shade of trees and others under tents and overlooking the beach. You have 90 minutes on the island and I wondered if there would be enough to keep me busy. There was. We had a snack, took the free tour of the lighthouse keepers house, walked the nature trails and we were left with only 15 minutes or so before it was time to get back on the ferry for our pleasant ride back to the dock near the Norwalk Aquarium. circumstances. We had no problems with bugs, but we had a gentle breeze which could have worked in our favor. Apply your sunscreen. Wear comfortable shoes. Be sure to make reservations and get there at least 30 minutes early to give yourself time to find suitable parking. The little lot right at the dock fills quickly and the indoor garage across the street is much more expensive. Find the other municipal outdoor lots nearby

What a treasure in Norwalk, amazing views, food was plentiful and fun was had by all- looking forward to next year

My sisters and I took the Sheffield Island Lighthouse ferry/tour out of Norwalk, CT. The captain was very knowledgeable and everyone associated with the ferry and tour were very nice. The young man who did the tour of the lighthouse had some great stories to tell.

Comfortable boat, friendly, informative guide, nice old lighthouse, and Lola, the grand, welcoming Osprey!

Enjoyed the ride and the island. Weather was perfect. Staff were helpful and informative. I recommend this.

It was overall a nice experience. The island is beautiful and full of history. The view is perfect and the tour guides are very polite and knowledgeable of the history of the island and the city of Norwalk in general. The downside is the duration of the stay at the island. It's only like 1 hour 40 minutes. Just when you start to relax it's time to head back. I'll definitely pay more for some extra time.

Just a great boat ride with well-informed guide, beautiful grounds and informative island nature strolls. Plus historic lighthouse tour. Excellent afternoon for all ages!!

My friends and I just experienced the Sheffield Light House cruise this past Saturday and we enjoyed it immensely. A little bit of adventure, a bit of peace and quiet and a lot of fun. Very friendly crew and light house keeper as well as fellow passengers. Please visit my blog at http://photobycateblog.com/ where you can read more of my trip and view photos that capture the beauty of the island and light house.

This is a super fun thing to do with a family or group of friends. One recommendation I have is to bring a lunch along with you, as you will have plenty of time on the island after the tour of the lighthouse (which is pretty short). Be sure to keep your eyes open for the ospreys (gorgeous birds).

Awesome experience! Beautiful island and the lighthouse. We had a great time exploring the island and collecting shells. We would definitely do it again!

The boat ride was beautiful, the lighthouse picturesque and historic and the nature walk informative. The 9 of us from the grandparents to the 8-year old boys all loved the 3 hour tour.

This is a really great way to spend a summer day. The boat ride out to the island is really enjoyable. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy a day on the water, and learn a few things too!

My family and I took the ferry out to Scheffield Island on a Sunday. Is was a beautiful boat ride. When we arrived we ate our picnic lunch under the tents and then went on a tour of the lighthouse. We also walked around the nature trails. My 3-year-old had a great time running around and playing with the balls and bean bag game that were there. I highly recommend this for anyone!

We read a bunch of reviews and our trip did not reflect what we read. It was about 97 degrees so this may have affected some of the trip. The mosquitoes were horrible and they ran out of bug spray. We had 90mminutes on the island and only needed about 45 max. The reviews we read mentioned a narration on the boat ride for much of the ride. We heard about 10 minutes worth. The staff were friendly but they were also hot.

Had taken this trip about 15 years ago when my boys were small and it's just as much of a pleasant distraction for a sunny afternoon with the husband. Easy to park nearby - we found a free spot down a side road but there is a parking lot right next to the boat, charging $10.

Get to see the coastline and numerous little islands along the way, with a helpful narrative from the crew. Lots of osprey nests to spy along the way. All with sunshine and a gentle breeze as the backdrop - for us at least on that day! Only about a half hour boat ride so easy if you have kids or those with wobbly sea legs.

Tour of the lighthouse is interesting. Hard to imagine how a family with 11 kids and their teacher could live in the original small dwelling! Lighthouse has some lovely art displayed on the walls and is nicely kitted out with typical furniture of the day. Picnic tables abound in the shade and you can also buy very inexpensive hot dogs and snacks too. There is an easy nature walk and it's fun to just mosey around picking up shells and looking at the big crab shells. Organizers were friendly and accessible for information

When you get back there are plenty of good restaurants/cafes to choose from in Sono.

Nice ride out to the island as the Captain and Mate gave a narrative of the area. Sheffield Island is a nice walking destination for nature trails. Sadly, top of the lighthouse is not open yet.

My husband and I took our 3 grandsons on this cruise to the Island. We had a great time collecting shells on the shores and taking the tour of the lighthouse. Everyone from the boat ride over and on the Island were very friendly and informative. A great day for us all.

We are residents of Norwalk and choose this as a thing to do on beautiful Sunday. It’s a short scenic sail through the Norwalk River harbor. Crew super friendly and informative. You can bring chairs and a picnic and stay awhile. There’s a quick lighthouse tour included and hiking trails. They sell hot dogs chips and beverages too. Nothing fancy but satisfying. Highly recommend this excursion and afterwards enjoy one one adobos great eateries!

The boat trip out to the island was relaxing and informative. However, on arrival at the island we were infested with mosquitos. I’ve never seen so many mosquitos on my body at once. It was not a pleasant experience and I highly recommend smothering yourself in DEET - these mosquitos draw blood. Needless to say we spent the entire time roasting on the beach (to get away from the mosquitos )which was pleasant but we were left a little disappointed about not being told about the severity of these mosquitos. Be warned.

Very nice few hours on Long Island Sound and Lighthouse Tour. All the staff was knowledgeable and extremely helpful. Very, very relaxing. Bring water.

We went for my Birthday last year. Me, Husband, Daughter (4) and Son (7). We brought a ball and some snacks. They sold hot dogs and some snacky things there too. We had a blast exploring the island and the kids loved the boat trip too.There was a lot of garbage on some of the rocky areas, but really who's fault is that. And when we went they had stopped tending to the trails so we spent most of our time on the rocks, the lighthouse or just playing kickball. I would recommend this as a fun daily excursion. Bring a book, do a sketch, bring a ball and kick it around. Take some pictures.There's not a ton to do but you're also not on the island for more than a few hours. It's worth the trip in my honest opinion.

Thursday’s in the summer, there is a ‘clambake ‘ on Sheffield Island. A nice boat ride out, a tour of the lighthouse or check it out at your leisure and then dinner! Served under a white tent...To start steamed clams and mussels (but not very many clams in the mix) followed by dinner with several entree choices and dessert. Food was pretty good and the sunset was beautiful. You can wander the paths on the island, there’s a small beach area or play badminton or bean bag toss. Boat ride back in the dark was lovely with plenty of time to gaze at the stars.
It is BYOB but if you forget like we did , you can pick up a growler of cider or beer near the departure dock at Iron Brewery.

Nice trip for a day on your weekend - boat trip with information and stories about neighborhood, nice lighthouse, little island with trail.

Nice beautiful area. Sufficient parking. Get you tickets online to ensure your seat. The island is great. Bring snacks, you can have a picnic, bring a frisbee, take great family pictures.

What a wonderful family adventure we just had to Sheffield Island! Friendly staff, enjoyable boat ride across the Long Island Sound, beautiful sites, and very cool, historical lighthouse out on the island. Plenty of space for our 2 year old to run around too! It is a must do family outing if you are in Norwalk. Be sure to check it out!

Twenty of us neighbors were lucky enough to enjoy a perfect evening recently: we took the C.J. Toth catamaran ferry from the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium to Sheffield Island, where we had plenty of time to explore the Sheffield Island grounds before having a BBQ dinner. The grounds were very interesting, including a great bird lookout point. We had a tour of the Lighthouse, which is being renovated to historical accuracy. The actual Lighthouse tower is off-limits at the moment as they complete renovations. But I can vouch for the great views from past trips I’ve made to the Lighthouse. We watched the sun set over the “mainland” and felt like we were on vacation. I highly recommend this trip: the half-hour catamaran ride affords views of several very active osprey nests and the beautiful Norwalk islands. The paths on Sheffield Island are paved with seashells, like the good-old days. The “facilities” are basic but clean. Take advantage of the clambakes or other dinner you can arrange beforehand to be prepared on-site, or bring your own picnic to enjoy on the beach or at a picnic-table, and you’ll have a charming, relaxing time that kids and adults can all appreciate.

Beautiful ride, wonderful staff, great day to walk around the Island. We enjoyed the tour of the lighthouse and the view of the shoreline on the boat ride.

I was looking for a ferry attraction in Southwest Connecticut and stumbled across this one. It was great from beginning to end. It started with a ferry ride narrating the highlights of Norwalk harbor, expertly done by one of the crew. Then we reached the island and found the fifty passengers and crew on the ferry were the only people on the island, which meant lots of successful shell hunting. One of the crew conducted a tour of the lighthouse, so we saw how the manager and family lived in t869. It was wonderful, and I plan to return for a picnic. One warning. Be sure to bring bug spray, as there were lots of chiggers in the grassy areas.

What a relaxing, engaging and nature-filled quick getaway, where a boat ride with beautiful views and the destination, a tiny island with a breathtaking lighthouse and a diversity of nature all around you will renew your faith in the world! The ferry ride was lovely too, friendly and informative staff and easy to park and pay. I recommend this to all local and non-local visitors -- where else can you get such a mini-vaca for one morning or afternoon, all for around $20!

A fun experience all around: the boat, the crew and the site itself. It was my third time at Sheffield Island and I will come back again.

So worth it!!! We traveled with my kids 4 and 16 months and they had a blast. I had taken a few toys and a couple of books just Incase they needed them in he ferry ride but we didn’t need a single toy they were super entertained and had so much fun and can’t believe that living in Norwalk we hadn’t come here before. The staff is extremely friendly and accommodating - we had a stroller - I totally recommend it + it was an extremely relaxing trip - wow.

This excursion was so fun. The boat ride out to the island was fun and informative. The lighthouse tour was really nice. We packed a picnic lunch and they had tons of table to eat at which we’re right next to the shore. The workers were very friendly and so helpful and nice. Just a fabulous way to spend a few hours. Would definitely do this trip again.

Went yesterday with my niece and family, kids are age 5 thru 12. There was something for everyone. Interesting facts about life as the light keeper. Great nature walk. Staff was excellent, super kind and attentive! Great value, nice memories of a lovely outing. Will return.

We took our twin 8 year-old on this little adventure and we all loved it! The staff was so knowledgeable and informative, particularly Danny. Really enjoyed learning about the history of the area and exploring the island. They had games set up for folks to play with and a cool little tour of the lighthouse. Tent covered picnic area offered a nice respite from the sun. Definitely want to go back for the clambake and will pack a cooler for the next visit!

We thought that taking a boat ride to the island and visiting the lighthouse would be a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately, who would've expected the weather to feel like October on the last day of spring. It was raining and cold and windy, but nonetheless, it turned out to be a great time.

First, the people who run the tour were great! We forgot to bring cool weather clothing (thinking it would be summer weather), but the lady at the ticket booth noticed this and lent us some extra sweaters to keep us warm, which was terrific of her. All the tour guides were super friendly and did their best to make what should have been a miserable experience a very welcome one.

It was great to tour the inside of the lighthouse (the one place that was warm that day), and despite the weather, we decided to take a hike on the nature trail and explore the island, which really was lovely. If only the weather had been decent, we think it would have been one of the best experiences. Regardless, it was still a great time.

The captain was very enthusiastic and the light house keeper was very knowledgable and was able to answer all the questions asked. This is a great place for a romantic afternoon. Plenty of sea shell and sea glass hunting. I will recommend this excursion to all my friends and family!!!!!!!

But head for the complimentary insect repellent as soon as you hit the island! Everyone got bitten right away and we didn't even hit the trail which was closed! The light house is interesting and we did scoot up to the top which is quite steep and hot! It took about 15 minutes for our hot dogs to be cooked - the only food. But there was a pleasant breeze in the pavilion while we waited.

This was a last minute decision to take a 45-minute boat ride over to Sheffield Island to visit the 1868 lighthouse. The captain and narrator gave a terrific tour as we past the harbors of Norwalk and gorgeous homes on our way to Sheffield Island. The lighthouse keeper greeted us when we arrived and soon after gave a wonderful tour of the lighthouse and told us about its history. There was plenty of time to take the nature walk before heading back. I would highly recommend this outing.

The boat trip was great but before you go, cover yourself in bug spray head to toe. So many gnats, flies and mosquitoes. Hard to enjoy it but it could have been how the wind was that day. I would go again.

I can't believe that growing up in this area, I've never done this before. It was educational, nautical, and we brought a picnic lunch that we enjoyed on the island watching birds before the lighthouse tour.

We took the kids for the boat ride and lighthouse visit.

The boat ride was pleasant and the crew gave an informative talk about the area including the other Norwalk Islands seen on the trip as well as two other lighthouses seen on the way to Sheffield Island.

The island has, of course, the lighthouse, and also a large tent area and picnic tables to have a meal or snack. But the mosquitos like to hang out in that tent, so be prepared. The tower was closed, but the main level of the lighthouse was open and the keeper gave a nice tour and information about the lighthouse.

On a clear day, you can see Long Island across the Sound, including the Northport power facility which, as they explain on the tour, is actually connected to a related facility that you pass by while on the boat.

There is a lot right by the dock, but there aren't that many parking spaces. We parked in a parking garage a short few blocks away, and the total bill for parking was $7.

In sum, the trip was pleasant (other than getting a little bitten up in the tent) and informative, and enjoyed by both kids and adults.

I called 5 days ahead and Dan told me to fill out the information online and said he would return my request shortly. I filled it out and submitted my information online and did not hear from him once. My family and I were disappointed.

This restored gem from 1868 has even survived Hurricane Sandy. At the moment, you can't go into the lens tower, but the grounds and the 2 stories can be enjoyed.

Great i went 2 times it was awesome. Definitely go there! Your kids will enjoy it if you go at the pirate time.

I absolutely loved this! The crew was so pleasant and the views on the boat and island are amazing. The lighthouse is well preserved and the tour guide was very knowledgeable. I really appreciate that they provide bug spray and sunscreen for visitors. I can't wait to do the sunset cruise next.

Hubby and I decided to take the boat ride/island tour for a quick day trip on our Anniversary! It was perfect!! The boat ride over was about 40 minutes and the crew gave us details about the history of the homes and businesses along the sound. Arriving at the island you are immediately transported to a place of peace and tranquility. The only sounds we heard were birds chirping. The lighthouse tour was wonderful and filled with interesting facts about life on Sheffield Island in the 1800's. We actually would of loved to of stayed on the island longer than the 1.5 hours offered. We packed a light picnic of fruit, chips, and cheese which we enjoyed on a table under the shade of a tree...Just a lovely lovely day!!

Just the very informational history of the Norwalk Sound and the very smooth boat ride out to Sheffield Island would have been a nice treat for $22. On top of that you get to picnic, take a walking tour of both the Island and the lighthouse for an hour. I can't wait to go again for their BBQ's and Clambakes

My friend and I took the ferry to Sheffield Island Lighthouse. It was a glorious Sunday and a perfect visit. The lighthouse has been beautifully restored. It happened to be Pirate Weekend and pirates greeted us upon our arrival. The nature walk was an added gem. There were plenty of picnic tables for people to enjoy lunch. Will definitely take this trip again. The crew and staff were fantastic.

The Ferry crossing is quick (30 minutes) but pleasant and very informative about local commerce, history and other islands in the vicinity. The Island itself is easy to cover on foot and offers views of interesting flora and fauna. There's a concession stand, too, offering light bites and refreshments. The Lighthouse itself is well maintained and offers rooms full of period antiques, with guides that share stories about the keepers and their families. The actual light itself was closed for renovations, which was disappointing and would have been good to know beforehand.

We took our young boys on the Sheffield Island Ferry trip and had a wonderful time. The ferry ride is just long enough to relax and enjoy the beauty while learning more about the sound and the Norwalk Harbor area. Sheffield Island has a nature walk, open areas to play catch or frisbee and picnic tables. Bring some snacks and beverages as well as things to do while enjoying the views. Some areas that are off limits, unfortunately, but all in all we will go back often.

I have been wanting to go to this place for years. A friend just got married there over the weekend and I have to say, this place is beautiful and so scenic. The boat ride getting there is just long enough (about 30 minutes) and the captain, crew and all the employees are very friendly and knowledgable. Nature trails looked cool, even though we didn't do that. There is a tent with a bunch of picnic tables underneath and just gorgeous views everywhere you look. Highly recommend!!

I took the ferry and Nature trail tour. The boat ride was very enjoyable and relaxing. When I arrived at the island I was told I could go for a walk and then they would let me know when the tour of the lighthouse would begin. The island is small but very enjoyable to walk on. The tour of the light house was great with artifacts from the time when the lighthouse was active. The tour guide was very good. I packed a lunch and some water, but I believe they also sell some at a stand on the island. Good walking shoes are important. Do bring your camera. Ospreys were nesting right at the dock, I wish I would have brought my telephoto lens. At this time the lighthouse was not open to the public to go up inside, but they are preparing it for public use.

This excursion is a hidden gem accessible from the boat dock next to the Maritime Aquarium. The 45-minute trip each way, with its seabirds and compelling narrative describing the points of interest, delivered by a knowledgeable guide, makes one wish it would last even longer. The island itself and its storied lighthouse blends history and wildlife in an enchanting and absorbing manner. Highly recommended.

I traveled with NELL (New England Lighthouse Lovers) to this island and had an exceptional time. The staff (from the boat trip to the lighthouse itself) were all extremely helpful and more than willing to answer any questions. The day was superior as far as the weather, but we all know that can't be controlled. The lighthouse is undergoing renovations, and is a work-in-progress. I have every reason to believe it will be in tip-top shape before long!

A 30 minute relaxing and scenic cruise with narration.
Lighthouse was historical and well preserved from 1868.
Walking the island was convenient and picturesque.
Recommended as a local daytrip in Connecticut.

I took my 11 year old grandson on a trip Sheffield Lighthouse and really enjoyed it. The only problem was that they were not serving hot dogs and drinks like last year, nothing was stated on the website for the Lighthouse about this. My grandson really enjoyed checking out the beach, took the tour of the house and enjoyed taking pictures.

Pirate weekend was fun for kids, 2 pirates,good ones though, I expected to see more of a re enactment pirate thing, fighting with swords and the boat to be decorated with pirate themed things...just to be more exciting for small kids....interesting history for older kids...good experience overall, but could have been more exciting, but I guess when they draw the line after ticket prices and paying everyone and boat fuel, it's not much left...

We're a 50 person company in town and the Norwalk Seaport Association helped us put together a really terrific company picnic on the Island. Staff was extremely accommodating and helpful and everyone at our company had a great time... both on the island and on the boat ride there and back. What a great "get away", while still being so close!

A wonderful experience. The eight of us were able to enjoy a wonderful boat ride and visit to the island. Captain John, first mate, Vinny, and Island tour Guide,Jim were very helpful and informative about the area and the history of the lighthouse.

I had heard of Sheffield Island for years, and on a whim, my daughter and I signed up for the trip. What a great decision. You arrive on the island after a leisurely half hour boat ride. During the trip, one of the crew gives you an overview of the Norwalk Harbor and the adjacent islands. Once on the island, you get a short tour of the lighthouse and then you have 90 minutes to tour the island which includes a national wildlife refuge, a view of Long Island and a Stroll on the beach. This trip is slow down and take it easy time. Leave the rat race behind. Picnic tables are prevalent; suggest you bring your own food and drink. My daughter and I had a great time and would recommend this to anyone looking for peace and serenity for three hours.

My wife and I hadn't been there in years and we're looking for a fun way to spend the day. The ferry ride was great with Capt John at the wheel and first mate Warren doing the narrative. We learned a lot about the area and surrounding islands thanks to Warren!. On the island, we were greeted by Graham who gave us a tour of the lighthouse and was fun and informative. The only words of caution..... Use the bug spray (for the gazebo picnic area) and wear your grungy sneakers. The Grass areas are loaded with goose droppings! To bad, otherwise I'd rate it a solid 5 stars!

We recently took a 2-day trip to CT and the ferry to Sheffield Island Lighthouse was definitely one of the highlights! The boat ride was very pleasant and the tour guide pointed out interesting sites on the way there. There was some kind of pirates day on the island and we were greeted by the *"Primrose Pirates" who gave us an entertaining spiel about piracy, including a gunpowder demonstration and sword fights, which the kids really enjoyed (they also gave out candy on the way back! Not such scary pirates after all!). The tour is timed very well, with about 1.5 hours to spend on the island, which is just about enough time to see the lighthouse, explore the island and have a light picnic lunch, without the kids getting bored. The lighthouse is very pretty with period furniture and awesome views. My kids especially enjoyed collecting seashells along the shore. The next day we went to the Maritime Aquarium where they had a display about different types of marine creatures so the kids were able to put names to the shells they collected. Very entertaining as well as educational. If you do visit the island, keep in mind that every individual who boards the boat must have a ticket, including infants, and every person must be accounted for before the boat can take off or leave. Our family was slightly late and they waited for us. On the way back they did a headcount like 10 times to make sure nobody was left behind on the island. Maybe a roll call would be a more efficient way of keeping track of all the passengers.

The boat ride was very the pleasant. The Guide was very informative and pleasant. The Lighthouse was in good repair. The walk around the island was fun and the path was well kept. We really enjoyed walking by the shore. Literally the whole beach is shells and new ones wash up every day. There is a nice picnic area and we enjoyed a picnic after the walk and before the Lighthouse tour.

We were in Norwalk just for one day looking for something to do. This was an enjoyable boat ride/tour.

Visitied Sheffield Island Lighthouse on a sunny Sunday late afternoon. Great place to go. 45 min boat, 1.5h on the island and another 45 min back.... exactly the right timing. Nice folks on boat and on island.

Why only 4/5 stars? The address given in Google Maps is misleading. The address is the boat company's headquarters, but not the pier. I was searching a little bid around and risked to miss the boat. Please be aware, the pier is close to the aquarium, approx. 1 mile away from HQ. Hope they will change the Google Maps entry soon.

This was a fun activity for the day. Wish we would have packed a proper picnic and lots of DEET! Good for families especially with smaller children (may not be as exciting for older kids).

We took our 2.5 year old and 4 year old on an afternoon trip to Sheffield Island and not only did our kids enjoy the trip and experience, but we learned a ton about the area and history of Long Island Sound. It was great, and we look forward to doing it again!

Great way to spend a day or part of it on LI Sound. Actually you are well within the confines of Norwalk Harbor but the "get away" escape the city factor is big!

The guide on the ferry over to the island was informative and entertaining. He knew the local sights, history and ecology of the area. It’s nice to see so many osprey nests. The island is great for a picnic and the lighthouse was very picturesque.

The trip out and the tour of the lighthouse is always fun. Learn the history of the lighthouse. Spend some time on the water. Enjoy the view of the Norwalk islands. On a clear day you can see Manhattan.

The people on the Ferry and the Island were very helpful and informative.
Also I recommend the food they serve on the Island.

This was a nice little cruise, something to do for a few hours. The mate was very knowledgeable about the area. Unfortunately the lighthouse tower was closed for repairs. That was disappointing. The tour of the lighthouse was short, so you just have to amuse yourself on the island for a bit before going back. Nature walk, or just relax.

I have been meaning to take this ferry ride out to the lighthouse for years but just never got around to it. Had I known how much fun it would be I would have made it a priority years ago. The ferry ride to the island is comfortable and the points-of-interest tour that you get on the way out is actually really interesting. The island itself is gorgeous with plenty of covered and uncovered picnic tables, a place to buy hotdogs, soda and cold water, lots of open spaces for kids to run, beautiful hiking trails, and a
lighthouse to tour. The whole excursion takes three hours. The only suggestion I would make is to get there early because parking is a challenge.

It was a day with perfect weather. We had lunch and went on the path to the overlook and it was really nice.We also walked along the beach which was really nice. Would go again.

Amazing Experience: boat ride, beautiful small island, lobster clam bake, gorgeous sunset, awesome super moon rise…

Beautiful Island with walking trail. A small snack shack is on the island or you can take your own picnic lunch. A tour guide was available to provide interesting known facts about the Lighthouse and take us through it. The Ferry boat was accommodating.

Fun, great length ferry ride out the island. Good discussion with ferry driver on history. Able to leisurely walk around island/lighthouse. Can picnic there, also great place to just read/get away from other people, so hard to find a serene location not over run by tourists now-a-days!

It was a very nice way to spend an afternoon - the boat ride was fun and the Island interesting to visit with the Lighthouse tour the highlight. We had a good size group and everyone was in good spirits.

My wife and I enjoyed our trip to Sheffield Island. The captain and crew were very friendly and informative. We learned a lot about the history of Norwalk, the boating and oyster industry, the many islands, and the lighthouse. Although the hiking trails were closed because of a problem with ticks, we were able to walk along the shoreline and saw many shore birds, including ospreys.

I like learning about local history, so this was a must. It's a short boat ride from the Maritime Center. Our tour guide was great, and very knowledgeable. I also enjoyed the short walk around the island. Very peaceful.

Started with great informative ferry ride about the surrounding islands. We brought sandwiches and had a nice lunch under the pavilion. Use the complimentary bug spray for sure as the bugs were in full force. It was an entertaining stop as we toured the light house and then walked the shore to search for sea glass. The kids loved it. The games were also fun- volleyball, corn hole to name a few.

My husband and I went out on the first trip of the season. All the crew was great. We got sandwiches at the cafe/deli just down the street. Ferry ride was nice. We brought binoculars and saw many birds while on the ferry and on the island. Once on the island we toured the lighthouse and walked the short nature trail. Then we ate our lunch and it was time to go. Closed toe shoes are recommended since much of the area is rocky and crushed shells. Thanks for a great afternoon.

The staff is engaging,well studied on their history of the lighthouse.The narrator on the boat was very informative and available to answer any questions.The only disappointment was the lantern room was off limits.Bring mosquito repellent.

I haven't been back in a couple years but went several times and always had fun. Great for families and even couples. Can bring a picnic lunch and stay on the island for a few hours until the final boat returns to the Martime Center. Beautiful location and only about 45 min to an hour boat ride. Good history lesson for the kids.

What a beautiful place to visit. A wonderful getaway in a peaceful setting. Great to see the lighthouse is kept in good condition and the island is undeveloped. A haven for wildlife. Staff were very friendly and knowledgeable.
Do this trip. You will love it!

The weather was spectacular, the captain and crew a wealth of knowledge about local history and lore, and an afternoon ferry ride on Long Island Sound made for a picture-perfect excursion close to home. Worth every penny. Pack a picnic basket, grab a seat at one of the picnic tables, soak up the sun and take in 360 degrees of scenery from shore to shore. A well kept secret that has to be shared.

The informative boat ride was great. The island holds so much history and is beautiful. Take a walk through the lighthouse, your guaranteed to a bit of information. Wear walking shoes/sneakers and bring a lunch.

Great boat ride, lighthouse tour and beach tour with naturalist intern! We took the last boat out (3pm) and it was a great idea as the earlier boat was totally full so we had lots of space and not crowded!

We were looking for a fun family outing that involved being on the water on a beautiful summer day. We found this trip and it was easy to order the tickets online. The parking was good and the boat ride enjoyable. The boat captain and guide were quite interesting and knew a number of facts about the island and the trip there. The guides on the island were also helpful. Only drawback were the mosquitos.

This was a great stop! I discovered this place through the MTA website and decided to just pick up and go. I had a great experience and would highly recommend this place to everyone. If you can get there on your own watercraft, the docking fee is very small. That's the only way to get more time on this wonderful island. The packages are 3 hour trips. A 30 minute boat ride gets you to the island and then you have roughly an hour and 40 minutes to explore the island. You can see everything, eat and take some pictures in that time. I didn't feel at all rushed on the trip but I did leave wishing I had a little more time to soak it all in. A key thing to note: bring insect repellant! There are biting flies and while they aren't a huge problem, I did feel them nipping at me several times. I will definitely be doing this trip again!

My boyfriend, adult son and I decided to try this for a day trip today. We were not disappointed! The $22/adult price was more than fair. Our crew, Captain John and First Mate Dan were delightful. They have a tremendous amount of knowledge about the area, and shared abundantly and with some humor. This is not a large tour boat. We had 40 people on our excursion and probably could have taken another 10 or so. I liked the fact that it is a smaller ferry. It felt more personal. The ride to Sheffield Island was about 30 minutes. We had about 90 minutes on the island and then headed back. The lighthouse and island itself is staffed largely by fish and game interns. A small concession stand is available and reasonably priced (A hot dog, soda and chips was just $5.) We took a guided tour of the lighthouse but opted to explore the nature trails and beaches by ourselves. It was relaxed and beautiful!!!!! I

We were a couple visiting another town near Norwalk so we didn't have a lot of time to spend here. This was recommended by some locals and we found it an exceptional Historical Tour for little cost. The lightkeeper gives the tour and there isn't anything he doesn't know about the place. Friendly Crew, Fantastic afternoon out. You can even take a picnic.

The teens sat in the front of the boat and ignored the tour guide. I listened with interest while seeing cool local wildlife even for this Norwalk resident. The Light house itself was also interesting and the Island has some enjoyable walking paths. Bring extra BUG SPRAY.

A cool little day trip for local NY/ CT friends....we took the Sheffield Island Lighthouse Ferry and explored this little gem that is one of the Norwalk Islands, located where the Norwalk River and the LI Sound meet. Exploring the island, it's shoreline and 149 year old Lighthouse was such an unexpected treat! Highly recommend!

Had a great time!! Lighthouse keeper was friendly and knowledgeable! Everyone was exceptional. Captain of ferry and first mate !!!

Great afternoon/day trip. Boat left at 11am and we were back around 2-230pm. Island has a nice walking trail, lighthouse, and nicely maintained grounds. We enjoyed walking the island and exploring the beach area. The staff is very helpful answering questions about the island, the wildlife, and the lighthouse.

There are a few nice extras around the lighthouse grounds. Adirondack chairs which are grouped around the lighthouse to enjoy the view. A horseshoe pit and bean bag toss game. Smaller concessions which has hotdogs, chip/snack selection, and soda/water.

We look forward to this trip every Fourth of July. It has become our tradition. We usually bring a picnic lunch and walk the nature trail around to the beach. The ferry ride is the perfect amount of time and they do a great job talking about the sights along the way. I only wish we could spend more time on the island.

A great thing to do in Norwalk, which is so beautiful on the water. The islands and history so interesting!
Thanks to Captain Al, Charlie, Iggy, and Zoe

The lighthouse is furnished with period pieces, but you can't get to the light beacon. There are several pirate actors to greet you. Great for the kids. A short nature trail is available and you can walk the beach for a short distance. The boat ride there and back is probably the best part.

Visiting Sheffield Island is a perfect family outing: 45 minutes on the boat 1.5 hours on the island and another scenic 45 minutes back to Norfolk. You will feel like you went on vacation immediately. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the views, or explore the history of the lighthouse tower and home, or walk along the water's edge and and get your feet wet..Great fun and great tour guides - young and enthusiastic and ready to answer all your questions and more. A very special day...

My daughter (4 1/2) was so delighted with the weekend that she hasn't stopped talking about it. She has told everyone she knows that she got to fight a pirate. Can't wait until next year!

First, the weather was perfect. Second, the Captain, Danny and Patty were so nice, friendly, and compassionate (one of my companions had sprained her ankle before she boarded. Once on the island, Patty brought her a chair and some ice for her sprain!) Third, it was the final trip of the year! The lighthouse itself is charming, the surroundings are beautifully kept and the trail is easy and scenic. I can't wait to come back to pick nick and enjoy the water views!

Highly recommend! The crew were awesome! So pleasant and professional! An informative narration was given on the way out to and return from the island. Great hosts!
While they aren't huge, the lighthouse (built in 1868) tour was neat and island relaxing giving providing a tranquil sense of isolation.

We didn't realize you needed advance tickets but fortunately two seats opened up and my wife and I were able too go. Dan, the tour guide, was very knowledgeable about the area and was a terrific guide to the lighthouse itself. All three, Dan, the first mate, Andy, and the captain were all very professional.

Amazing & breathtaking experience! Jim was the best tour guide. Everyone was so friendly & welcoming. We will definitely be back & tell everyone about it! Hidden gem!

My family and I had a wonderful day on Sheffield Island. The staff was really nice and informative, pointing out all the sights from the ferry ride as well as giving us the history of the lighthouse on the island. There was a lovely little nature trail and picnic tables to use for lunch. My whole family enjoyed the experience and we would definitely recommend it to friends.

I recently took a boat tour out to Sheffield Island by ferry. It was a beautiful boat ride out as well as a fantastic and relaxing time once on the island. A great way to spend the day enjoying the water and scenery.

Great day trip, at a reasonable price. Guides were informative, boat as well as lighthouse were very clean.

Always had fun with older and younger relatives on this trip. Brought a picnic along. Bring your camera, enjoy the breezes, and the beautiful view of the shore.

My family and I visited Sheffield Island recently and loved it. It is the perfect addition to a day at the Norwalk Seaport. The staff at the seaport, ferry and island were friendly and pleasant. I would highly recommend this trip to families with small children or to people looking looking to spend a quiet/romantic afternoon.

I love lighthouses and try to go to as many as possible. My boyfriend and I went here yesterday. I called the number to ask if there were still tickets available, she promptly called me back and we made to 2.5 hour trek to CT from NY. She asked that we arrive @ 2:45 but there were detours and we were late. I called her to let her know and she was understanding. Great staff. Parking was a little confusing. I ended up paying the $7 for 24 hours because I was in a rush and couldn't figure it out in time. There is free parking in a five minute walk. The captains were very nice. The lost the steps in the water and had to turn around to get them, so this ate up few minutes. The boat ride was nice as they explain the area as you travel the 45 minutes to the light house. The lighthouse is a little too commercialized for me. I don't like that they have a snack tent, I think it takes away from the experience. We walked the little trail and spend time on both sides of the water. I even found a buoy! The lighthouse keeper was informative and kept the tour lively. He only shows you the first floor, you can venture up to the bedrooms by yourself. The observation deck is closed and will be for awhile as it is under construction. That was disappointing. It's a nice little day trip, but I don't know if it is worth traveling as far as we did.

Starting with the boat ride out to the island and the lighthouse tour and then lunch on the island we had a fantastic time!

We absolutely loved the boat ride out and back and the island is charming. I would have given it 5 stars, but when we were there we found 2 ticks on us and then found 2 more attached to my children when we got home--having already had lyme disease in the house, that didn't bring us much joy. We went with our 8 and 14 year old boys who both enjoyed it. There is very limited food available on the island (bags of chips and water) but there are picnic tables so feel free to bring your lunch. The bathrooms are a rustic outhouse and there is no electric on the island. The views are spectacular and there is a short nature trail. There is a short talk about the lighthouse and the history of the lighthouse keepers. It is a fun day trip for all ages. Check out Sono Seaport Seafood restaurant afterward!

Wonderful boat trip with excellent guide commenting on various sites & landmarks. Perfect weather and lovely tour of the historic lighthouse plus place for a picnic lunch. A lovely 3 hours.

My husband, children (ages 7, 5, 3) and I thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon on Sheffield Island. The guides were friendly and knowledgeable. The ferry ride to the island was beautiful and smooth. We could have easily spent a couple of more hours on the island.

Great getaway for a couple of hours for an adventure. Beautiful scenery with informative guides on the boat and at the lighthouse. Just need a small gift shop to remember the day!

Wonderful trip to Sheffield island Ferry service and staff provided a your and great information Island was beautiful with historic lighthouse Tour included a clam bake but there were no clams or mussels provided However all other food buffet choices were delicious Best not to advertise a clam bake if shellfish was not provided

First take ferry ride out to island - beautiful day, beautiful ride. Once on the island thers a lighthouse to tour and walking trails. We were there after Sandy and most of the trails had been cleared. Tables available for lunch - under a huge tent.Clean outhouses(didn't really notice they were outhouses

Sailed by boat to Sheffield Island Anchorage go ashore peaceful and beautiful. Can also get there from SoNo (South Norwalk) by the river

My daughter and I had a great trip to Sheffield Island. The ferry boat was so nice, it looked new. The staff was wonderful.

The volunteers on the island did a great job and the light house is beautiful.

There are snacks available to buy at the boat, they offer water / soda and chips for sale at a very reasonable price (a healthy option would be welcomed) or pack your own lunch there are picnic tables at the island

An enjoyable afternoon and inexpensive way to experience Norwalk Harbor and Sheffield Island. Activated in 1868 Sheffield Island Light is located at the mouth of Norwalk River and northern Long Island Sound. Also known as White Island and once owned by Caption Robert Sheffield, the island and lighthouse served as a farm and school for residences of adjacent islands. The lighthouse style is similar to Great Caption Island, Morgan Point, Old Field Point Light, Plum Island, and Block Island North Light

I do the trip each year and enjoy the time on the water and island. There is not much to do but enjoy the beautiful lighthouse and coastal views once you're on the island — so recommend packing something to eat and picnicking. If you plan to walk the nature path — bring bug repellent.

I was visiting family in New York when we decided to find something to do in Connecticut near the water. This was it! For about $20 per person you get a ferry ride to the island and a tour of the lighthouse. The ferry ride is very pleasant and beautiful. The captain and the crew were very friendly and full of great information. The water views are gorgeous. After you tour the lighthouse, you can walk around the island and sit next to the water. They also have a sunset cruise with a clambake which we will definitely do the next time we visit. The sunsets there must be fantastic. My relatives in NY had never heard of this hidden treasure until I told them about it. It was a perfect way to spend a summer afternoon.

I have lived locally for many years and have never done this trip. What a lovely unexpected surprise!

Beautiful island with clear water. The ferry ride was peaceful to watch the nature and it was fun to see people enjoying the private kayaking and boat tours.

Really nice short trip to see the island and the lighthouse. We bought our tickets in advance to be sure of seats, highly recommend this. Check in was easy and comfortable. Tour guide was informative and helpful. Wish we had a little more time on the island since we didn't get to do all we had hoped but it was a very busy day since all tours were full. You can pack a picnic or there is a snack bar on the island. I will definitely do it again.

Always a fun, educational time with the family- it's been an annual trip for the last 3 years and never disappoints.

Great, relaxing boat ride to the island. The crew was very friendly and explained what we were seeing on the way out to the island.
The island was quiet and beautiful. Scenic nature trail and a comfortable picnic area.
Guided tour of the lighthouse was fun and informative.
All ending with another relaxing boat trip back to the dock.
We are looking forward to going back.

The trip begins from the dock at the Aquarium. A very smooth boat ride that takes you out of the harbor and across the bay allows for beautiful vistas. The ferry is an open boat with a covered roof. It is a45 minute ride each way. This leaves an hour and a half for sight seeing on the island which is more than ample. The light house is well persevered. There are park interns there to give guide tours. Very enjoyable for all.

Boat ride and tour was informative. The island feels far away. The lighthouse tour was also interesting.

Great for families, couples or a single get-away on your own. The boat ride is great and informative (I was not expecting the history given...cool to learn about the coastal city you live in!). Pretty quick boat ride and you can then spend a minimum of an hour and a half on the island; touring the lighthouse, walking through the nature preserve, having a picnic lunch and exploring the island. One of the many reasons we love living in Norwalk!

Beautiful day for a very enjoyable boat ride. There is not much to do on the island, but we enjoyed a picnic lunch and walked the trails. We did join the tour of the lighthouse. Great day!

A perfect day to experience Long Island Sound and the historic Sheffield Island Lighthouse. Knowledgeable and friendly employees, great bird life, and amazing atmosphere. We would do it again in a heartbeat! Just fantastic !

This trip was a hidden gem, we had a wonderful time. The boat ride was excellent, the young tour guide gave lots of new information. The guide at the lighthouse was just as good and engaging. I already recommend it to other friends.

We had a great time on the ferry and learned a lot of history on the way to the island. The island is a beautiful breath of fresh air and the tour inside of the lighthouse was very informative. The captain and his one man crew were very friendly. I would recommend this experience.

This walk is best served with BYOB (Bring Your Own Boat!). I used to sail to this island and the dude would run up and ask my why I was trespassing. I would tell him that I was just staying below the high tide mark. But now, you can walk all over and no one minds. There's even a vinyard (!) but I don't think the wine is very good.

What a wonderful evening! My husband and I went with friends for the clambake and had a magical evening. The weather was beautiful with a nice breeze and the sunset was simply stunning. The clambake dinner was delicious! I highly recommend the lobster, although all courses of the meal were delightful. I would do this again!

Nice boat ride to the island. Captain and First Mate were very knowledgeable of the history & surrounding area. Could have shortened the length of time actually on the island but some bring picnic lunches, so length of time on island is appropriate for them.

This is a nice way to spend a few hours. The boat trip is lovely and the crew helpful and informative. The picnic area is well taken care of. The lighthouse tour is interesting. The nature trail leaves a little something to be desired (it's not very interesting), but the shoreline with its thousands of shells is pretty fabulous. I would definitely do this again.

We loved the boat ride and lighthouse tour. The Pirates were awesome! The nature trail was also very nicely designed and maintained.

such a wonderful few hours. between the capt of the boat and the tour guide on board you get a nice history of the area. Then you arrive at the lighthouse to even more wonderful staff that are friendly and very knowledgeable about the area. One thing they suggest that you pack a lunch but food is available there...lighthouse tour was very educational

Very informative boat ride to island. The views are gorgeous. Island is nice but watch out for mosquitos on nature trail. Trail was not open the entire way because it was overgrown.

Friendly knowledgeable staff, especially Jim, John and Dan. Would most definitely return but next time for the Thursday clam bakes.

So easy, so fun, great outing for kids and adults alike. Yes, there IS a restroom on the island. The tour guides also provide snacks and water. They are very knowledgeable; you WILL learn something!

After a 45 minute ferry ride, you get to spend about an hour and a half on the island. About 20 minutes of that is spent on the Sheffield Lighthouse tour... the remaining time can be spent just hanging out, walking along some of the trails. There are picnic tables and tent areas available... highly recommended to pack a picnic/lunch and enjoy the ocean views. There are eco-friendly clean bathrooms as well as a small concession stand that sells water/soda/chips and hotdogs. The area is run by the Norwalk Seaport Association which does a nice job with the tours and is very friendly and informative. Bringing sunscreen and also some bug spray is recommended. Overall, a pleasant time!

A wonderful place to bring the family. You can picnic on the grounds and tour the 1868 lighthouse. The views of Long Island Sound are beautiful any time of the year. You can reach the lighthouse via the shuttle at the dock at the Maritime Center.

Nice boat ride out to island with an interesting commentary about local sights. Sheffield Island itself is beautiful as is the nature trail. Everyone on the island was nice, tour of Light house a bit dry. Very kid friendly trip.

Wow! If you're looking for a great way to spend a summer afternoon, look no further. The Lighthouse is immaculately preserved and the island is a cute little gem. The tour lasts approximately an hour and a half. There are picnic tables, food and chips for purchase and a quaint nature trail. Pack a picnic, and enjoy a great day overlooking the water. I can't wait to return.

This is the 5th time I have taken this trip. I am lucky to live in the area, but from a tourist point of view this is a steal. Easy parking and boarding, a informative narrated cruise to the lighthouse. When you disembark you can tour the island at your own pace or take a tour which is included in the fee. OR you can just take a book a drink and a chair and take in the wildlife and views and say you were on an island for day! All for the price of a pizza!

It was a beautiful couple hours on the island the water on both sides the crew was great and the island staff as well. Just what the doctor ordered

What can be better than a beautiful boat ride through the harbor to go see a great lighthouse. Great views, great beach, not to be missed.

It was a beautiful summer day for the ferry to Sheffield Island. The old lighthouse was a bright beacon on the island. There was a guide who explained some of the history of the lighthouse and how the building and island survived so many storms. Hurricane Sandy did lots of damage on the island, but the lighthouse withstood the storm. There was also a guide telling about the history of the rooms inside the lighthouse. Lots of cool breezes and views of the water to enjoy from the island.

The Norwalk Seaport Association runs this lovely lighthouse and nature tour to Sheffield Island. It's a perfect setting for a picnic. Located next to the Norwalk Aquarium, I paid fare for a short ferry ride that included history and information about Norwalk Harbor. Once on the island, I took a tour of the 1863 lighthouse and a lovely and informative nature walk.

I packed my own snacks, but for others who didn't snacks and beverages were conveniently on the island.

The staff was very friendly and helpful. I will probably do it again :)

This was a very relaxing and enjoyable experience. The ferry ride was extremely informative. We've lived in the area all our lives and found out there was so much we didn't know! The staff on the ferry and on the island are friendly and knowledgeable. They were happy to chat with us and answer questions. We just wish the stay on the island was a little longer.

Very nice way to see the surrounding area, enjoyed being on the water, learning a little bit about the history of island and lighthouses, and very casual atmosphere on the boat. The captain and first mates were very welcoming and accommodating.

Yesterday we came on this tour with a large family group, what a great way to spend an afternoon on the water, enjoying history and nature. John and Greg and their crew are friendly and helpful and make you feel that you are visiting their own home. The island is beautiful and kept clean. Lighthouse tour was short but interesting. Plenty of clean and covered picnic space, as well as corn hole and volleyball. Lots of space to explore the walking trail and seashore. Recommend that you come with a group, bring a picnic, and bug spray.

We had a beautiful day for a cruise and 2 hours on Sheffield Island. Interesting tour of the 1868 stone lighthouse. Nice walk from the lighthouse to the end of the island. Definitely would recommend for adults and children.

Wandering around, picnicking. climbing on trees. great for a family photoshoot. And what a history lesson!

This is one of the most relaxing ways to unwind in Connecticut. The cruise to Sheffield Island Lighthouse is breathtakingly beautiful...I never knew there were so many small islands off the coast of Norwalk. Once on the island, there is plenty of time to explore the nature sanctuary and to take a fascinating tour of the lighthouse itself. The association also offers sunset and musical cruises and a lobster bake on Thursday nights... that is on my bucket list for next summer. HIghly recommended experience. Great value for the money too!

We took the boat to Sheffield Island Lighthouse today. The guide on the boat was excellent, pointing out interesting things throughout the entire ride. Once on the island, there is little to do. Our guide in the house knew very little. She may have been a trainee. The stairs to the top of the house are under construction. The mosquitoes were terrible. I think that children would be totally bored.

Great way to spend a summer day. Island was very clean and staff/manager were incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. Incredible history of this island/lighthouse.
Everyone should get out to visit!

Loved the trip out there, but time on the island was just too short for me
Looked at the lighthouse, had a small bite and walked 1 side of the island and just made it back to launch in time, would be nice to stay a bit longer on the beach or have more time to walk

First I'll mention the positives. Went on the evening of 8/20. The boat's crew was very good, the meal was excellent and plentiful and the lighthouse guide was also very good.
I would have liked that they would stick to the schedule a little better. The boat left late (waiting for passengers who were late I guess) and operation of the paid parking lot was not really explained. You buy a ticket after indicating the space number your in and I believe you were suppose to guess on what to do with it as there were no instructions. It was a pay by the hour so people believed we were due in by 930 PM (which was not the case) so people who bought tickets to last until 930 were worried they would be getting parking tickets as the lot is heavily patrolled and they had received tickets in the past. Finally I wished they had turned on the island dock lights BEFORE most of the people had boarded the boat.

a great Ride in long Island Sound to the enchanting Light House that guided Ships from near and far , lovely as you approach and disembark the fun begins . a feeling of Sailing Ships coming into the harbour is a wonderful vision . Once seen the merchants come back from The Seas so the Story told of young men at sea coming from Foreign ports with their treasures it was a great Day

The lighthouse is the main attraction on Sheffield Island. The tour guide gave a really informative tour. The lighthouse itself is well kept, clean and had a lot of historical artifacts. Too bad we couldn’t go all the way up and have a 360 view . Would’ve been nice but they said it’s too hot to go up there.

Buy a summer-only MTA Metro North Getaway package at NYC Grand Central Station to South Norwalk, and walk to the ferry for a narrated ride to Sheffield Island and tour of the lighthouse. Bring a picnic lunch or purchase a hotdog on site and spend time walking the short trail and beach access until the ferry's return to town. The lighthouse keeper takes good care of visitors and the ferry deckhands offer comedic insight on local history.

We had a beautiful day to start. Capt. Bill and Capt. John, did a great job teaching us about the sound, the lighthouses and the crab boats. It took about an hour to get to the island. Our tour on the Island was a great lighthouse tour, and description of how it was to live out there. The area is clean, and well preserved. Our hosts were very pleasant and accommodating. Great trip and well worth the ride! Bring your camera!
Thank you! ( Sept. 4th, 2015)

lovely little spot only reachable by boat. Very quaint nice for a light lunch or to get away for a few hours and feel like you are on vacation even though you are still in Norwalk. Pack a lunch though as they only have chips and soda available and be sure to dip yourself in bug spray before hand if you plan on going through the nature trails.

So buggy!! So little to explore! There are nesting birds so much of the island is off limits, and the weird homeowner there who collects garbage had a big pile of trash. So don't plan on beachcombing and bring bug and tick spray because you will be eaten alive!!

Nice relaxing trip from the dock in Norwalk CT to Sheffield Island Lighthouse: during the trip able to see additional lighthouses: Peaks ledge Light, Green's Ledge Lighthouse on the way to Sheffield Island. Quick tour of the first floor or the lighthouse but unable to climb to the top. Limited facilities on the island. Very nice trip and would recommend.

Suggest You bring to your own food and a blanket to enjoy a picnic by the water. Also if you have children carry had sanitizer

Great trip and well informed and friendly crew. Very interesting info on way out to lighthouse and at the actual lighthouse. Nice nature walk. Had some good Cheetos also (personal joke). Lighthouse itself is really cool. Small snack stand and clean bathrooms.

Visited this place by boat on a hot day. Had a swim. It wasn't crowded mid-week. Really strange to be so close to the busy-ness of the world, but on a small island with a lighthouse that could be miles away.

We went with a group of friends and small children as the pirates were the attraction that day. The ferry ride over was very enjoyable and the pirates were absolutely hysterical. Not only were they great with the activities they had for the children but the adults also enjoyed them just as much.

Nice ride and beautiful water and helpful staff. It's nice to see a lighthouse open to the public and you can bring a picnic lunch or buy stuff there

It's a nice get away for people living close to the CT side of the Long Island sound. It's a 3hr round trip with time for a picnic on the island included. The boat ride is very comfortable and the staff very friendly.

On the way to the island, you get to see the summer get away islands of the rich and famous of early 1900s. It was also nice seeing the giant osprey nests which are making a come back in the area.

The island and the lighthouse are very well looked after with some interesting history. There are couple serene nature trails in the island as well as the beach. The day we visited, they had clamming on the island which was a blast for the kids.

Overall, it's a very nice trip and reasonably priced.

I visited the island with my 70yo mother on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The tour of the islands and lighthouse was very informative. Danny and Anna did a great job and Captain John was exceptionally nice. I brought a lunch which we ate under the new pavilion. There are lawn games and Adirondack chairs in the lawn, and you can take a long walk along the water where I hit the jackpot with seaglass! All in all a lovely afternoon.

This is a cool place to visit, you have to go on a fairy though. But it's a lot of information to take in, but I really like it.

I consider this a ripoff....we booked the boat trip and lighthouse tour after researching online and reading reviews. The boat trip and the guide for the trip was fantastic. A separate guide at the lighthouse was also fantastic. The trouble was once we got to the stairway to go up into the lighthouse the guide says: “sorry, the access to the lighthouse is closed as they have renovation going on.” This was the first we were told this, we spent $50 to go to the lighthouse and see the view from the top they so proudly advertise. Not a mention when we booked and not a mention when we checked in. Nothing until we were at the stairwell to go up. Pretty sure they know few are going to make the trip until the renovation is complete so they can go up the lighthouse.
I would have given it zero stars for the clear omission, but the guides on the boat and the island were excellent. Call and verify access to the top of the lighthouse before booking your trip.

My self and my son and wife and two children took the afternoon trip to Sheffield Island Lighthouse off of Norwalk, CT. One gets the boat at the Maritime Aquarium on 4 North Water Street at the Seaport Dock in Norwalk
It is a pleasant boat ride and then you have about an hour or two on the Island to tour inside the lighthouse which is interesting and quaint, walk the trail outside. Walk on the beach and picnic before taking the boat back to Norwalk. It is a very pleasant afternoon excursion.

Brought along a picnic. Our two girls loved the boat ride and looking for shells on the beach.
Just remember to bring big spray!

Great day trip for family or couple. Nice walks and views all the way to NYC on a clear day. The ferry is a pleasant ride and a wonderful way to check out Norwalk Harbor.

A gem of Norwalk! Relaxing boat ride and tour of lighthouse. Informative guide on boat and the Keeper gave a great review of the lighthouse's history. A great way to spend 3 hours!

An hour from NYC...so much to see [photographically] and learn from Lighthouse Keeper Jim and Captain John. Will go back in may for sure! First rate people on and off the Island. From ticket seller to the end...

Had a great time.

The ferry was really nice and relaxing. The team was very informative. The lighthouse tour was nice and we learned a lot. 6

The island is very small. Probably don't need more than 30 min unless you are there to have a picnic or decide to walk the trail (we were warned about a large number of ticks in the trail so didn't walk it.

Great day trip on Norwalk River to visit history of our water travelers of the past & present. Ferry ride to the island with picnic tables and tour of the lighthouse.

Knowledgable tour guides both on the ferry and at the lighthouse. Brought my one year old son and relatives from out of town. It was enjoyable by all!

It was a great experience. The weather was perfect, not too hot with a nice breeze. The boat trip out was interesting with all the light houses and osprey that were around. We packed a lunch and ate at the picnic tables. Went for a nice nature walk and collected shells, the island is covered in them. The light house tour was interesting, except we couldn't go up to the top due to not so sturdy stairs. Overall it was a great trip and I would highly recommend it.

The 45 minute narrated tour of the Norwalk River and Sound were wonderful on a comfortable catamaran with plenty of shade under an awning. The captain and mate were very friendly and answered many questions about the sights we passed and the birds we saw along the trip to Sheffield Island. Upon landing, we walked around the island until the guided tour of the lighthouse began. The tour was informative and the artifacts are all originals from the 19th century, 1868, when the house was built. After another hour of walking along the nature trail and collecting shells, we returned on the boat and arrived pleased with our day on the water.

Fun trip for any age. Great place to have picnic. Peace and quiet....relaxing. tour of lighthouse is wonderful! Best day ever!

Our family had a wonderful time on the tour to Sheffield Island learning about the history of the Norwalk harbor islands. Highly recommended!

We all enjoyed this trip. The total trip was three hours. A 45 minute boat ride to the Sheffield Island Lighthouse started our visit. We then spent one and one half hours on the island enjoying a tour of the lighthouse and a nature walk. The return boat trip was also 45 minutes. Staff was very helpful and professional.