CWTA - Connecticut Coastal Paddling - Fairfield County - Greenwich

Connecticut Water Trails Association

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Connecticut Water Trails

Connecticut Coastal Paddling

Connecticut Coastal Paddling Access

Fairfield County Coastal Paddling Access

Fairfield County Coastal Paddling

Greenwich Costal Paddling

Greenwich Coastal Paddling Access

Connecticut Water Trails Program

Connecticut Coastal Paddling

Fairfield County

Greenwich

Great Captain Island

Site Location: Greenwich, Connecticut

Basic Information:

Great Captain Island also known (less familiarly) as "Great Captains Island," is an island off the coast of Greenwich, Connecticut and is the location of the 19th-century Great Captain Island Lighthouse.

The 17-acre island, a bit over a mile south of the Byram shore, is the southernmost point in the state of Connecticut and New England, lying south of 41º.

The isle is the largest of a three-island group that also includes Little Captain (more commonly known today as Island Beach) and Wee Captain, attached to Great Captain by a sandbar. The islands are named after Captain Daniel Patrick, one of the first settlers of Greenwich.

Egrets, herons, osprey, and many other bird species can be seen on the island. Trails have been laid out for visitors, and the western part of the island has picnic tables, grills, restrooms, and posted swimming areas. The island is open year round, with a ferry running during the summer, but only for Greenwich residents and their guests. No public tours of the lighthouse or island are available. A single dirt road leads to the eastern side of the island, where most egrets tend to nest and where the lighthouse is.

Great Captain Island is one of the state's 26 "important bird areas" that provide an essential habitat for one or more bird species, according to the Audubon Connecticut society.

Type: Island

Water Type: Saltwater

Season:

Site Contact Information:

Site Coordinates:

Longitude 73.623082 ºW Latitude 40.982688 ºN

Location Map:

Greenwich - Great Captain Island

USGS Quadrangle: Mamaroneck

Navigational Charts:

Driving Directions:

Directions Map: Google Map

Boat Launch Information:

ADA Access:

Site Description:

Environment:

Harbor Setting, Intertidal Flat, Island, Fronting Long Island Sound, Rocky Shore, Sandy Beach, Tidal Wetland

Additional Info:

Site History:

The states of New York and Connecticut both claimed the island in the 19th century but, after 50 years, a commission resolved the dispute in favor of the Nutmeg State. In 1829, the federal government authorized money for a lighthouse on the island and bought 3.5 acres on Great Captain for the purpose.

In 1966, the town government bought all the land on the island except for the lighthouse grounds for $90,000 and, in 1973, the federal government turned over that tract as well.