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Kayaking The Norwalk Islands Long I. Sound CT

Wilderness Water Trails Forty-Five Minutes From New York City

Mar 24, 2009 Thomas Klinger

A mile off the shores of Norwalk and Westport, Connecticut, The Norwalk islands in Long Island Sound, are ideal for kayaking.

It is highly recommended that beginners start with a qualified guide as the normally placid waters can turn rough. Gaeton Andretta of The Small Boat Shop in Norwalk, CT also warned kayakers to wear a wet or dry suit until the end of May due to the deadly cold spring water temperatures. The Small Boat Shop provides guided tours and instruction throughout the islands.

Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge

The four largest islands are open to the public, an anomaly, along the largely privately-owned Connecticut shoreline. The islands are wooded with many beautiful beaches. Chimon, Sheffield, and Peach Islands are part of the Stewart B. McKinney wildlife refuge while Shea (Norwalk) and Cockenoe (Westport) are city parks.

Historic Sheffield Island Light House

The Norwalk Seaport Association offers weekend boat rides to the historic Sheffield Island light house. Kayakers may land at the light house for a small fee that includes a tour of the lighthouse, views of New York City and Long Island, and use of the pit toilets, picnic tables and nature trail.

Wildlife on the Norwalk Islands

As the seasons change, the islands play host to a variety of wildlife. Birds include cormorants, swans, Brants, Loons, Long Tail ducks, gull, herons and egrets. White-tailed deer swim between islands at high tide to forage. Raccoons like search the beaches for clams and crabs during low tide. In winter, harbor seals return to the islands in ever increasing numbers.

Kayak Camping

Shea and Cockenoe feature attractive beaches and summer camping through the Norwalk and Westport parks departments. There is no fresh water on either island. Shea has pit toilets but portable toilets are required for camping on Cockenoe. For kayakers, the Norwalk Islands is a convenient weekend getaway and a way to test out your camping gear and packing skills before going on that week long expedition.

Norwalk Islands Water Trails

The Southwest Regional Planning Agency, at SWRPA.org, has a downloadable chart of the Norwalk Islands with suggested half day and full day loops launching from Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk. For out-of-towners, there is a reasonable per car entry fee for access to the beach which includes parking and kayak launching.

Convenient to I-95 and Metro North Railroad, the Norwalk Islands are an easy weekend getaway. With the islands so close, a great kayaking experience in can be had in less than two hours, or last an entire weekend. Either way, the Norwalk Islands are worth a return trip.

The copyright of the article Kayaking The Norwalk Islands Long I. Sound CT in Paddle Sports is owned by Thomas Klinger. Permission to republish Kayaking The Norwalk Islands Long I. Sound CT in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.