Connecticut's Southwestern Lighthouses
Greenwich to Norwalk
Heading Eastward Through Greenwich,
Stamford, and Norwalk
Connecticut’s rocky shoreline and its many treacherous ledges and islands in Long Island Sound, constantly kept mariners on the alert, claiming the lives of many during New England’s fierce storms. Lighthouses were built to help the increasing shipping traffic and local mariners during these storms, many on those dangerous islands and ledges. Some of the lighthouses built in the southwestern area of Connecticut were built on some of these dangerous rock islands or ledges to guide traffic into the busy harbors of Norwalk and Stratford around Long Island Sound.
Note: For stories of famous lighthouse events and folklore, check out the Lighthouse Stories section of this website. There you'll also find info on my book “New England Lighthouses: Famous Shipwrecks, Rescues, and Other Tales” with over 40 stories and 160 images, which you can purchase from Schiffer Books Publishing. In the book you'll find detailed accounts of Connecticut's haunted lighthouses, the steamship Lexington fire which became the worst maritime disaster in Connecticut's history, and of one of the most colorful and talented lighthouse keepers in Connecticut, Oliver Brooks. |
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Connecticut's Southwestern Region
Lighthouses You Can Hike To
Note: Both Great Captain Island and Sheffield Island lights need access by ferries, then you can hike to each lighthouse. Some lighthouses mentioned below, that you can drive to, can also be viewed from various boat tours offered, see Boat Tours below.
Click any lighthouse link below to find out information about each lighthouse including historic snapshots, directions, more photos, and links for places to visit.
Connecticut's Southwestern Region Lighthouses:
Best Viewed by Boat
Driving directions are also provided for getting distant views of Greens Ledge and Stamford Harbor lighthouses. Of all of Connecticut's 20 lighthouses, fifteen lighthouses are best viewed closely by boat, or need a boat or ferry to access the island the lighthouse is on, and only five lighthouses are easily accessible on the mainland by car.
Click any lighthouse link below to find out information about each lighthouse including historic snapshots, directions, more photos, and links for places to visit.
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Places to Visit Nearby (heading eastward):
Connecticut's Southwestern Region
Greenwich hosts many summer concert. To hike to Great Captain lighthouse from small Great Captain island, he Greenwich Parks Ferry leaves daily during the summer months.
Stamford is rich in history at its South-End district with plenty of picturesque beaches and parks. and special Stamford Museum and Nature Center.
Norwalk promotes many cultural events in the arts and music, and has its share of special museums, like the Norwalk Museum, and the Stepping Stones Museum nearby for children. The SONO Switch Tower Museum displays mechanisms used for switching trains and train tracks, and you'll enjoy the Maritime Aquarium to view plenty of aquatic exhibits.
Visit the Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum, built just after the Civil War.
The Norwalk State Heritage Park is a scenic urban waterfront area in the city surrounding the Norwalk River..
The Norwalk Seaport Association provides daily tours to Sheffield Island and explore Sheffield Island lighthouse during the summer months. with clambakes on the island on Thursdays. The island is also part of the Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge.
Boat Tours:
Connecticut's Southwestern Region
Boat cruises mentioned below offer many types of cruises. While some may offer specific lighthouse cruises, some will pass by specific lighthouses as part of charters, narrated wildlife and historic tours, ferrying passengers, whale watching, fishing tours and other types of excursions. Contact info is provided to help you plan your special trips to New England’s shorelines. Enjoy!
Sound Navigation
Sound Navigation's offers a variety of informative lighthouse tours underway on Long Island Sound, which includes the southwestern portion of Connecticut's coastline and the north shore of Long Island Sound. They also provide special sunset cruises and private charters. You'll enjoy up-close and personal views with Captain Barry of the many "Castles of Long Island Sound" from the deck of the Seaport Express.
Phone (203) 219-3688
Email Captain Barry: info@soundnavigation.com
Lighthouses:
- Great Captain's Island Light, Greenwich, CT
- Stamford Ledge Light, Stamford, CT
- Huntington Harbor Light, Huntington, NY
- Green's Ledge Light, Norwalk, CT
- Peck Ledge Light, Norwalk, CT
- Sheffield Island Light, Norwalk, CT
- Eaton's Neck Light, Northport, NY
- Penfield Reef Light, Fairfield, CT
- Black Rock Harbor Light, Bridgeport, CT
- Tongue Point Light, Bridgeport, CT
- Stratford Shoal (Middleground) Light, Stratford, CT
- Stratford Point Light, Stratford, CT
- Faulkner Island Light, Guilford, CT
Norwalk Seaport Association
Provides ferry access to Sheffield Island from Norwalk.
132 Water St # 3
Norwalk, CT 06854
(203) 838-9444
www.seaport.org
Lighthouses: Sheffield Island Light
Additional Resources
For All You Connecticut Visitors