Hoist the sails on a tall ship.
Explore an island. Trawl for lobsters and sea stars. Watch the sunset at
sea.
Refreshing summer adventures at sea are a great way to celebrate summer
along the Long Island shore in Western Connecticut’s Fairfield County. There’s
something for maritime explorers of all ages.
Tall Ship Tactics
Soundwaters, an environmental education organization in Stamford dedicated
to protecting the waters of Long Island Sound, invites the public to set sail
aboard their 80-foot, three-masted schooner
Soundwaters
most weekends through September. Afternoon sails from 3p.m. to 5 p.m. are
ideal for families, with passengers invited to help raise the sails and to
examine first hand the aquatic life that lives beneath the waves. Educators
teach participants about the quality of the water, and how to test it.
Relaxing and romantic two-hour early evening sunset cruises are better
suited to adults, who are invited to bring their own picnic dinners and
beverages on board. Afternoon sails are $30 for adults, $20 for children;
sunset cruises are $30 for all ages.
The
Soundwaters is located on 333
Ludlow Street in the Stamford Harbor Park Marina just off of I-95.
Information, schedules and reservations are available at
www.soundwaters.org or by phoning
203-406-3335.
Deep Sea Secrets
Educators
at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk show and tell what goes on from
the water’s surface to the bottom of
the sea for passengers on the aquarium’s 29-passenger research vessel.
Oceanic. Crewmembers drop the nets and
passengers haul them laden with treasures for close-up views. The haul may
include plankton from the surface and a variety of creatures from the muddy
bottom, perhaps fish, crabs, lobsters, sea stars and other little-seen
creatures. The catch is important since the observations are recorded as part
of the on-going Long Island Sound Biodiversity Data Project.
Cruises lasting two-and-a-half hours go out
every day at 1 p.m. in July and August and on Saturdays at 1 p.m. in September
and October. Cruises are $20.50 per person. Children must measure 42 inches to
sail.
For reservations, phone
203-852-0700, ext. 2206,
during regular business hours; or email
reservations@maritimeaquarium.org.
Island Adventures
Board the Norwalk Seaport
Association’s 49-foot catamaran C.J. Toth for a salty 45-minute escape to
Sheffield Island. Passengers enjoy a special day of picnicking, tours of a
historic lighthouse, shell hunting, and walks to view the colorful sea birds
sheltered in the marshes and sandy shores of the Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife
Refuge.
Vistas of Long Island Sound
from the 44-foot lighthouse tower are among the island’s highlights. On
a clear day, the views reach to the distant skyline of New York City.
Trips to Sheffield Island will run
weekends through September 29 with boats leaving at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and
3:30pm. Return trips are at 1:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. Weekday
trips at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. are also available through Labor Day, and the fare
is $22 for adults, $12 under age12,
Clambake cruises depart at 6 p.m. every
Thursday evening to September 26, returning at 10 p.m. They are a true New England dining experience in a
festive tented pavilion on the lighthouse lawn. The menu includes clams, mussels, corn on the cob, and a choice of lobster,
fish, steak, or chicken. Roundtrip cruise and dinner is $65 to $79 per person,
depending on entrée. Tours of the lighthouse are included with dinners.
Special theme weekends include Pirates Weekend July 13, 14
and July 20,21 and Haunted Lighthouse August 10, 11.
Early bird watchers can board special
bird-watching cruises at 8 a.m. on July 6 and August 3.
For details and tickets www.seaport.org or
phone 203-838-9444.
For information about nearby events and a free copy of
UNWIND, a full-color,
152-page booklet detailing what to do and see, and where to
stay, shop and dine in
Western Connecticut, contact the Western Connecticut
Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968,
Litchfield, CT 06759,
(860) 567-4506, or www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com
