144 Water Street, Norwalk, CT 06854 (203) 854-5223
Tour Long Island Sound
Kayak Tours
The NorwalkIslands sit a half-mile off the coast of South Norwalk and Westport at the mouth of the NorwalkRiver. Cockenoe and SheaIslands and the western beach of Chimon are open to the public throughout most of the year, although some areas are periodically restricted for wild fowl nesting and migration. Once used by Native Americans and early settlers, the islands are now home to cormorants, herons, egrets, oystercatchers, osprey, ducks, deer, fiddler crabs, and many other coastal species. The islands are pleasantly wooded and include city parks, National Wildlife Sanctuaries, and the historic Sheffield Island Lighthouse.
Full Day Tours - Saturdays and Sundays
Water safety and basic paddling instruction are conducted before leaving the dock. After launching, we will head down the NorwalkRiver and into Long Island Sound. Weather permitting, we'll stop for lunch (see What to Bring) and rest breaks out on the islands themselves.
Arrive at The Small Boat Shop at 9:30am for check-in, fitting and instruction. Tour groups will return to the shop at about 3:30pm to 4:00pm.
Two and Four Hour Tours - Wednesdays
Offered in conjunction with the Norwalk Parks & Recreation Department, these shorter tours give customers a taste of the Islands without a full-day commitment. Customers should arrive at the small boat launch ramp at CalfPastureBeach no later than 30 minutes prior to tour time. Give your name to the gate keeper at the park. There will be basic safety instruction before launching. Tours run from 9:00am to 1:00pm and from 2:30pm to 4:30pm.
Sea Kayaking Instruction
Launch from our docks on the NorwalkRiver, and paddle to an instruction site. Once there, students learn capsizing and exiting a kayak, several methods of offshore rescue, fundamental paddle strokes and basic boat control. The instructional tour lasts about six hours including paddling to and from the instruction site and lunch rest breaks. Eat your Wheaties, this is a full day's workout!
Arrive at The Small Boat Shop at 9:30am for check-in and instruction. Tour groups will return to the shop about 3:30pm to 4:00pm.
