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Connecticut Water Trails
Program
Paddling Trails
Fairfield County
Norwalk
Sheffield Island
Directions:
NOAA Chart:
12364 at 1:40,000
USGS Quadrangle:
Norwalk South
Type of Water:
River -
Coastal / Island
Paddle Length:
USGS Real Time Water Data / Gauge:
NA
Portage:
None
Put In:
Calf Pasture Beach
Google Map
Longitude:
73.395561ºW Latitude:
41.091412ºN
Take Out:
Same As The Put-In
On The Water:
Carry your kayak down to the waters edge -
watch your footing at low tide because it can be slippery.
Norwalk Harbor is very busy watch out for the boats,
floating trash, and the occasional passing barge.
The first island you'll paddle by is
Round Beach which is visible during low tide.
From here you'll be able to see all of the islands which lie ahead. From
east to west
Goose Island,
Grassy Island,
Betts Island,
Chimon Island,
Shea Island
aka
Ram Island,
and then Sheffield Island which is the furthest out.
On windy days your best bet is to stay close to the shoreline of
Manresa Island and then head straight across to
Shea Island
which is connected to Sheffield Island. At high tide you might be able to
paddle between the two islands - otherwise you'll have to portage or
circumnavigate around Sheffield.
The channel between Chimon and Shea islands can be rough with
whitecaps. For an easier route follow along the inland side of the
islands.
Upon entering Sheffield Harbor you'll see the stone remains of a
country club built in the 1930's. At the far western end is Sheffield
Lighthouse built in 1868.
On your way back head for the
Norwalk River which you can see ahead of you surrounded by
railroad towers and Norwalk Hospital on the hill. To avoid the boat
traffic stay close to the shoreline as you make your way back to Calf
Pasture Beach.
Unlike many areas the
currents around Norwalk is gentle with no really large waves.
On Sheffield Island the leeward side has sandy beaches while the
windward side is covered with rocks.
What You’ll See:
Sheffield Island
Lighthouse,
Dog Island,
L' Hammock Island,
Old Baldy,
Wood Island,
Chimon Island,
Shea Island
aka
Ram Island,
Great Reef,
Hiding Rocks,
and
The Plains Island.
Cautions:
The information here is based upon the best available information
presently available.
If you find and error or have a written description of a water trail we have not included - please
contact us
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and much more user friendly mapping application that provides detailed
information on launch and landing sites, camp sites, restaurants, lodging,
and sites of interest along the various
water trails.
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