A Guide to the Boston Harbor Islands
How to get the biggest bang for your staycation buck.
Illustrations by Always with Honor
Spectacle Island
The great outdoors have never been so close. This 105-acre spit of natural beauty boasts 5 miles of hiking trails, the highest hill in the harbor, and a scenic beach where you can take a dip without losing sight of the skyline.
Peddocks Island
From June through September, Peddocks is among the four islands that offer primitive camping, sans showers or modern toilets. No tent? Act early to book one of Peddocks’s six-person yurts—reservations tend to fill up months in advance.
Georges Island
Spend some time exploring Fort Warren, once a prison for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. To this day, the lure of the Lady in Black—the ghost of Melanie Lanier, a tall-tale character who was allegedly hanged on the island after a botched attempt to bust her rebel husband out of the prison—attracts paranormal aficionados.
Little Brewster Island
One of the outermost islands in the harbor, Little Brewster is home to America’s first lighthouse. Boston Light still shines bright today—its beams can be seen from 27 miles away. Getting out to this island can be tricky: Ferries are only available as part of island tours, which run from mid-June through early October.
Frequent Flyers
More than 200 types of birds have been identified on the islands. Try spotting these species.
Degree of Difficulty
☀ Beginners welcome.
☀☀☀☀☀ Requires Audubon-level determination.
Blue Jay
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Keep your eyes peeled for this common songbird’s rich blue-and-black plumage.
Red-Tailed Hawk
☀☀
With an average wingspan of 4 feet, this ubiquitous raptor can also be seen stalking prey throughout the city.
American Oystercatcher
☀☀☀
A name like that needs a beak to match. Make a correct ID by paying attention to the long red bill and stout legs.
Red-Bellied Woodpecker
☀☀☀☀
Look to the trees for this woodpecker’s mohawk-like streak of red, which runs down the nape of its neck.
Red Knot
☀☀☀☀☀
A long-distance flyer that travels 9,300 miles from the Arctic to the tip of South America, this bird makes the occasional pit stop here.
