Great Captain Island
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.
Great Captain Island also known 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 41 degrees.
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. 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.
Ferries to Great Captain’s Island and Island Beach as well as Cruises to Nowhere originate at the ferry dock at Arch Street.