Connecticut Water Trails Program

Paddling Trails

New Haven County

Branford

Stony Creek Put-In

Thimble Islands

The Thimbles are a group of 40 small islands off the coast of Branford, CT. Most of the islands are private and many have one or more summer homes. Reclusive artist, Christine Svenningsen, widow of party-goods magnate John Svenningsen, has purchased at least 11 of the islands over the last several years, for which she paid over $36 million

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

Where Is It?

From the East: I-95 South to Exit 56, which is the Stony Creek exit. Take a left at the end of the exit ramp onto East Industrial Road and proceed .3 miles. Then turn left onto Leetes Island Road and continue 1.6 miles. At four-way intersection, continue straight onto Thimble Islands Road and proceed approximately .7 miles. Beach and Town Dock are on the right near the entrance of Indian Point Road.

From the West: I-95 North to Exit 56, which is the Stony Creek exit. At the end of the exit ramp, take a right onto Leetes Island Road and continue for 1.5 miles. At four-way intersection, continue straight onto Thimble Islands Road and proceed approximately .7 miles. Beach and Town Dock are on the right near the entrance of Indian Point Road.

Facilities:

Launch Site:

Launch from the Stony Creek boat ramp. Parking is very limited especially on weekends. Portable toilets are located by the beach during the summer only.

On the Water

Although boat traffic can be heavy, including several small tour boats, most obey the “No Wake” signs and 5mph speed limit making the area very paddler friendly.

Only two Islands are open for public visitation. The 5-acre, Outer Island, part of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, allows visitors on weekends only when a docent from the “Friends of Outer Island” is onsite. This usually from 10:00AM-3:00PM July 4th through Labor Day. Contact Refuge at 860.399.2513 to ensure that the island is open.

Northford Rock is a very small (< ¼ acre) barren island owned by the Branford Land Trust. The island contains a steel statue created by Margaret Alison Thoms and a plaque dedicated to her long time companion Ray Gay. The story is that Gay, a local lobsterman, bought the island on a whim and presented it to Thom’s saying “I always meant to give you a rock.”

High Island can be paddled through the center, when the tide is high enough.  The area bounded by Governor Island in the north, High Island in the west, Outer Island in the south, and Money Island in the east is great for kayakers; the jet skis prefer the wide-open areas.  And there are lots of small rocky outcroppings to hide between.

Cautions

Stay mindful of the tides and wind.  

Given that this is large bay, winds can get very nasty. 

Once you clear the shelter of the islands, the Long Island Sound can get rough.

When the tide is coming in, you will feel a coolness from the Atlantic.  The water around the Thimbles is shallow, so it warms up quickly, making it warmer than the rest of the Sound.  

Also, because of the shallowness, any kind of wind, coming from L.I. Sound, causes 1' or more wave heights.