Activated in 1868, the Sheffield Island Lighthouse - now listed on the National Register of Historic Places - was in service for 34 years until its retirement in 1902. Today the Norwalk Seaport Association’s volunteers maintain the lighthouse and grounds as a museum and nature preserve.
Visitors can board the Seaport ferry at the Association’s dock, adjacent to Stroffolino Bridge, corner of Washington and Water Streets, South Norwalk, CT, for their trip to the island, the lighthouse or harbor cruises.
Each year the ferry takes thousands of visitors back to a time when this and other lighthouses were critical to coastal and oceangoing shipping.
Once on the island, visitors are treated to a tour of the lighthouse, including a chance to climb up into the light tower itself, where on clear days, the New York City skyline can be seen. The 10-room lighthouse showcases period furniture, and offers a chance to see what life was like for the families of 19th century light keepers.
Another island attraction is the Nature Trail through the Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge, which completed by the Seaport Association in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. From a viewing platform, a variety of wildlife including nesting herons and other birds can be observed.
Sheffield Island Lighthouse
and Nature Trail
2009 SUMMER ACTIVITIES ON SHEFFIELD ISLAND
Sheffield Island with its historic lighthouse, beaches and wildlife refuge offers abundant summer fun for visitors. From May through September, visitors can board the Seaport Association’s 42-foot G.W. Tyler ferry for a cruise to the island then tour the lighthouse, observe wildlife in their natural habitat, hunt for shells along the beach, dine on a picnic lunch, play on the lawns around the lighthouse and just have a good time. The lighthouse tower provides magnificent views of Long Island Sound and, on a clear day, of the New York City skyline.
Susan Snider, the Seaport Association’s executive director, says “Although it’s just two miles off the coast of Rowayton, Sheffield Island remains a ‘hidden treasure’ to many Fairfield County residents. This beautiful retreat with its historic lighthouse and a National Wildlife Refuge is just a short boat ride away.” The Norwalk Seaport Association, a nonprofit environmental, preservation and maritime educational organization, has owned, restored and maintained Sheffield Island Lighthouse since 1986 and is the official U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Friends group for the Norwalk Islands.
Connecticut Open House -- June TBA
The Seaport Association provides discounted $5.00 ferry rides to Sheffield Island as part of the statewide Connecticut Open House. Enjoy a round-trip cruise to Sheffield Island, a tour of the historic lighthouse, beach walks and strolls along the nature trail through the Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge.
Cruises depart at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. from the Seaport Dock, adjacent to the Stroffolino Bridge at the corner of Washington and Water Streets, South Norwalk. Reservations are recommended – 203-838-9444. Box lunches can be provided for a fee.
Daily Cruises & Lighthouse Tours -- June-September
Weekend and holiday cruises run through the end of September. Weekday cruises run from late June through September. There are no cruises to Sheffield Island during the weekend of the 32nd Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival on September 11-13. Round-trip ferry tickets are $20.00 adults … $12.00 children ages 4-12 … $5.00 children ages 3 and younger.
On Thursday evenings during the summer groups of 20 or more can make reservations for a cruise to Sheffield Island, where they dine in the festive tented pavilion adjacent to Sheffield Island Lighthouse. Tours of the historic lighthouse also are included.
Reservations are required. The price of the roundtrip cruise and basic dinner (entrée of barbecue pork or chicken, rib eye steak, salmon or breast of chicken) is $55.00 per person or $75.00 for a lobster dinner. NSA Thursday night cruises depart at 6:00 p.m. from the Seaport Dock, adjacent to the Stroffolino Bridge at the corner of Washington and Water Streets in South Norwalk.
Christmas in July -- July 18 & 19
For one weekend, Christmas decorations of yesteryear adorn rooms in the historic Victorian-era lighthouse and Santa Claus – dressed in summer garb – greets visitors when they land on Sheffield Island. Family amusements include breakfast with Santa (Saturday only), activities for children and early holiday shopping for ornaments and gifts with a nautical theme.
Christmas in July activities are free, but participants must purchase ferry tickets -- $20.00 adults … $12.00 children ages 4-12 … $5.00 children ages 3 and younger. Reservations are recommended – 203-838-9444. Box lunches can be provided for an additional fee.
NSA Ferry cruises to Sheffield Island depart on Saturday at 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. from the Seaport Dock, adjacent to the Stroffolino Bridge at the corner of Washington and Water Streets, South Norwalk.
Haunted Lighthouse -- August 8 & 9
Ghosts, ghouls and goblins greet visitors to the historic Sheffield Island Lighthouse, which is decorated to provide thrills and chills for youngsters of all ages. The Norwalk Seaport Association’s annual Haunted Lighthouse has become a popular child-friendly haunted attraction (only two rooms are kept dark). Activities for young visitors also are part of this fun-filled special event.
Haunted Lighthouse activities are free, but participants must purchase round-trip ferry tickets -- $20.00 adults … $12.00 children ages 4-12 … $5.00 children ages 3 and younger. Reservations are recommended – 203-838-9444. Box lunches can be provided for an additional fee.
NSA Ferry cruises to Sheffield Island depart at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and
3:30 p.m. from the Seaport Dock, adjacent to the Stroffolino Bridge at the
corner of Washington and Water Streets in South Norwalk.
Summer Adventure Program
Activities for young visitors include an exclusive summer program for youngsters ages 8-12 on weekdays throughout August. Participants board the NSA ferry to Sheffield Island at 9:00 a.m. and return at 2:00 p.m.
The Summer Adventure program designed by the Seaport Association education staff includes outdoor survival skills; marine biology, science and nature education (based on three different ecosystems on the island); team building; pirate lore; and the historical significance of the island and lighthouse.
Summer Adventure participants can register for a day, a week or several days. Fees are $75.00 per day and $325.00 for any five days. Norwalk Seaport Association members receive a 10 percent discount.
