Norwalk Seaport Association Is Ready to Cruise Summer 2023

Norwalk Seaport Association's cruise to Sheffield Island Lighthouse off the coast of Norwalk is one of Connecticut's most popular seasonal activities. It gives passengers the thrill of an on-the-water adventure passing a myriad of islands in Long Island Sound only seen from the water, the chance to tour a historic lighthouse on Sheffield Island, and time to explore a private island and nature sanctuary.

Our 2023 Cruise and Event Schedule is as follows 

Docktails and Oysters @ Norm Bloom and Sons – June 3 

Birding Cruises run Sundays from May 28- June 18  

Weekend Cruises to Sheffield Island run May 27 -Aug 27 

Weekday Cruises to Sheffield Island run June 27 -Aug 31  

Sunset Harbor Cruises run May 24 -Sept 17 

 Clambakes on Sheffield Island are offered on Tuesdays. July 11- Aug 29 

 Pirates Weekend – July 22 and 23

Sheffield Island – Picture Perfect & Picnic Ready 

Family Fun on Sheffield Island

Many visitors comment on how beautifully the island is maintained and how it enhances the experience of visiting. There is a large timber frame pavilion with picnic tables that face the water, shell-strewn pathways through the Nature Preserve colorful island-inspired flowers and landscaping, an antique telescope; wildlife, marine life, ecosystem interpretative signage along the seawalls, and large shade trees, making it an ideal picnic spot. 

Clambakes and picnics in our Pavilion

The volunteers of the Norwalk Seaport Association take great pride in cleaning up Sheffield Island each spring, making it picture-perfect for visitors. Linda Cappello, a Trustee on the Board of Trustees of the Norwalk Seaport Association organizes these spring pilgrimages annually. "It is my passion. I have cruised the waters of Long Island Sound and the Norwalk Islands for as long as I can remember. My father introduced me to the Sound when I was a child, and I have loved it ever since! If I could live on the Island I would! As for our volunteers, we always welcome help, just contact us. Being a Seaport Volunteer offers a unique reward unique for a good cause, especially if they have a love for Norwalk's maritime history and Long Island Sound,” Cappello concluded. 

A big thank you to all our volunteers!

Island maintenance doesn't end in the spring. Throughout the summer season, there are many chores to attend to from mowing the lawn, to maintaining the shells on the pathways, and cleaning the lighthouse itself, to name a few of what it takes to keep the island ready for visitors. 

For Tickets and More Information 

 For tickets and more information http://www.seaport.org. The vessel leaves from the Seaport Dock on 4 North Water Street in Norwalk. The dock is adjacent to the Stroffolino Bridge at the corner of Washington and North Water Streets in South Norwalk. Parking is available at the adjacent lot or at the Maritime Center Parking Garage across the street from the dock. Tickets are available online in advance by clicking here. 

Cruising is fun any time of day!

About the Norwalk Seaport Association 

The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens who had the vision to revitalize South Norwalk and preserve Norwalk’s maritime heritage. The Seaport Association offers a cultural, environmental, and historical journey to the Norwalk Islands. The Sheffield Island Lighthouse and the Light Keeper’s Cottage provide a unique historical and educational venue that strives to increase awareness, appreciation, and consideration for the environment and how the preservation of historic buildings contributes to our quality of life. The combination of the Lighthouse and the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge offers an unparalleled opportunity to educate children of all ages and adults about the importance of preserving Long Island Sound, our environment, and our maritime heritage.

Celebrate Long Island Sound's Bounty @ Docktails and Oysters June 3, 2023

 Docktails and Oysters, a signature special fundraising event hosted by Norm Bloom and Sons, a fourth-generation oyster farm in Norwalk, on behalf of the Norwalk Seaport Association are back again this year, by popular demand on Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This event sells out every year, so it is important to get your tickets early as they are limited. 

This island-inspired party will get you in an “aloha state of mind” as you see folks in brightly colored Hawaiian shirts, listening to live music, sipping cocktails, and slurping the freshest oysters you will ever taste! “It’s a chance for people to celebrate the Seaport Association’s mission of preserving the Sheffield Island Lighthouse for future generations and have a little fun at an authentic oyster farm,” said Mike Reilly, President of the Seaport Association. 

Oysters have a long history in Norwalk that started with the Native Americans. Today, the techniques and processes used to farm Copps Island Oysters by Norm Bloom and Sons have been used for centuries, making them an extra special treat. If you have never had oysters, literally fresh off the boat this is your chance to eat your fill of them - so make sure you come hungry! It's fun to watch the pros shuck the oysters right before your eyes (they make it look so easy) and set them on trays with lemons and an assortment of delicious sauces. The food and fun doesn't stop there, as guests can snack on passed and tabled appetizers such as citrus grilled shrimp, house-smoked pork sliders, and blackened swordfish tacos with pineapple salsa, vegetable spring rolls, and black bean and corn salad, in keeping with the island vibe. 

A highlight of the event is its location itself - the dock at Norm Bloom & Sons Copps Island Oysters, one of the few remaining traditional oyster farms in the United States. An added bonus is to learn how oysters are grown and harvested here and then shipped all over the world. The oyster beds are actually incubated under the dock where this event takes place. Part of the charm is to see how small oysters actually are when they start out! As soon as they are big enough, the oysters are "planted" on the sandy bottom of the Sound that surrounds the docks. This time-honored system of growing oysters makes them some of the best that you will ever taste, making it no surprise that Copps Island oysters are prized the world over for their sweet briny flavor and plump meat. Best of all, this is your chance to eat your fill of them for a good cause! 

Tickets to this event are limited to 200 people and are $80 online and $90 at the gate if tickets are available. It is highly recommended to reserve your tickets in advance because this popular event sells out every year and there may not be tickets available the day of the event. For tickets click here, if you have questions, please call 203-838-9444. 

About the Norwalk Seaport Association 

The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens who had the vision to revitalize South Norwalk and preserve Norwalk’s maritime heritage. The Seaport Association offers a cultural, environmental, and historical journey to the Norwalk Islands. The Sheffield Island Lighthouse and the Light Keeper’s Cottage provide a unique historical and educational venue that strives to increase awareness, appreciation, and consideration for the environment and how the preservation of historic buildings contributes to our quality of life. The combination of the Lighthouse and the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge offers an unparalleled opportunity to educate children of all ages and adults about the importance of preserving Long Island Sound, our environment, and our maritime heritage.

Join the Flock - Go On A Birding Safari with the Norwalk Seaport Association

 

There is nothing that says summer like a birding safari with the Norwalk Seaport Association. Birding cruises are one of the most popular excursions operated by the Seaport Association because it brings adults and children up close to birds in their maritime natural habitat. Adding to the fun is the fact that Long Island Sound is a birding hot spot in Connecticut, a state that is rich in birdlife with more than 430 different species to spot.

photo courtesy Micheal Brinkley

Regardless if you are a veteran or novice birding enthusiast this cruise is an ideal way to add seabirds to your list. This year, the Seaport's vessel, the C.J. Toth, a 49- passenger vessel will head out at 8 a.m. and return to the dock at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 28, and Sunday, June 4, 11, and 18. This guided bird cruise is ideal for adults and children because it is a fun and educational way to experience nature.

Passengers on this eco-styled guided bird cruise are being led by birding enthusiast, James Leone, who has been birding for six-plus years. Leone is extremely knowledgeable about the identification status and distribution of birds in Connecticut and, specifically in Long Island Sound. "I am looking forward to helping people spot as many birds as they can and sharing my knowledge about their habitat, needs, and importance to the eco-system. I have identified 330 species of birds in Connecticut, and 300  in Fairfield County alone," says Leone. It is exciting to be out on the water this time of year because you never know what will fly by - which makes every cruise different and exciting at the same time," Leone added. In addition to birding in Connecticut, Leone has birded in Thailand and Costa Rica as well as all over the United States, spotting more than 1,200 birds. He has attended the prestigious birding program at Arizona's Camp Chiricahua, where he developed a greater understanding of birds and their habitat, which he will be sharing with the lucky passengers on this cruise. 

photo courtesy Micheal Brinkley

A  special highlight of this cruise is the chance to spot birds at the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge on Sheffield Island. Because of the shape of the boat, you can really get close to the shoreline. Here you will see a variety of habitats that support nesting and wading birds. This spot is known for its small population of herring and great black-backed gulls that nest along Sheffield Island's rocky shoreline. 

The importance of the Norwalk Islands to wildlife, especially migratory birds is enormous, and the special Bird Cruises hosted by the Norwalk Seaport Association give nature enthusiasts the chance to spot these magnificent seabirds up close with the added benefit of a knowledgeable guide. 

photo courtesy Micheal Brinkley

Passengers are asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to the 8 a.m. departure. The vessel leaves from the Seaport Dock located on 4 North Water Street adjacent to the Stroffolino Bridge at the corner of Washington and Water Streets in South Norwalk. Parking is available at the adjacent lot or at the Maritime Center Parking Garage. 

Tickets are available online in advance by clicking here and are $25 for children and $35 for adults. The Seaport Association advises reserving your Bird Cruise early because these popular excursions sell out. Make sure you include your email when reserving your ticket. If the tour is canceled due to inclement weather the Norwalk Seaport Association will contact you via your email. 

photo courtesy Micheal Brinkley

About the Norwalk Seaport Association

The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens who had the vision to revitalize South Norwalk and preserve Norwalk’s maritime heritage. The Seaport Association offers a cultural, environmental, and historical journey to the Norwalk Islands. The Sheffield Island Lighthouse and the Light Keeper’s Cottage provide a unique historical and educational venue that strives to increase awareness, appreciation, and consideration for the environment and how the preservation of historic buildings contributes to our quality of life. The combination of the Lighthouse and the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge offers an unparalleled opportunity to educate children of all ages and adults about the importance of preserving Long Island Sound, our environment, and our maritime heritage.

Sounding Off - Fun Facts About Long Island Sound

At one time, Connecticut and Long Island Sound were covered in a sheet of ice that was part of the Late Wisconsin Glacier which dates to about 18,000 years ago. Long Island Sound was formed when glacial ice tore a huge hole in the land and formed Lake Connecticut. As the sea levels and sediments shifted, the lake receded, making way for the rivers and ocean to take its place, forming what we know today as Long Island Sound. 

On our way to Sheffield Island Lighthouse, we cruise Long Island Sound. We have put together some fun facts about Long Island Sound to think about during your on-the-water adventure.

Sounding Off - Fun Facts!

Technically, Long Island Sound is an estuary getting its water from the Atlantic Ocean, the Thames, Housatonic, Mianus, Mill, Norwalk, Pequonnock, and the Connecticut Rivers.

90% of the freshwater in Long Island Sound comes from three main rivers in Connecticut, the Thames, the Housatonic, and the Connecticut Rivers.

Long Island's directional positioning is unusual among estuaries in the United States. Most large estuaries are orientated north-south. Long Island Sound has an east-west orientation.

If you draw a straight line down the center, Long Island Sound is approximately 21 miles wide at its widest point and 113 miles long. The amazing thing to remember is that it covers more than 600 miles of coastline because of all the bays and inlets.

Long Island's surface area is 1300 square miles and contains about 67 billion tons of water.

The deepest channel in Long Island Sound is known as "The Race." The depth of this channel ranges between 60 feet and 350 feet deep.

This estuary is sheltered from high winds and has two high and two low tides a day, making it perfect for boating. This is one of many reasons why our cruise to Sheffield Island is so pleasant.

Long Island Sound is Connecticut's most important natural resource according to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). More than eight million people live along Long Island Sound's watershed area. The recreational activities enjoyed along the Connecticut coast generate more than $5.5 billion per year. 

DEEP also notes that Long Island Sound provides feeding, breeding, and nesting areas for a diversity of plants and animals. It is home to 120 species of finfish and countless birds.

To learn more about the Long Island Sound watershed area and for a Connecticut Coastal Access Guide, click https://www.depdata.ct.gov/maps/coastalaccess/index.html

Four of our Favorite Spring Wildflowers on Sheffield Island

In Connecticut, wildflowers are one of the most colorful ways that signal spring has arrived. The delicate blossoms of spring on Sheffield Island are nature's gift after a long cold winter. We love wildflowers because they help Sheffield Island's soil remain healthy and provide nectar for pollinators. Although the star attraction is the Lighthouse, the surrounding landscape has beauty everywhere you look so we decided to show you just four of our favorite spring wildflowers on Sheffield Island. 

Our sentinel guest that loves Sheffield Island

The first flower and a perennial favorite on Sheffield Island is the common blue violet (viola papilionacea). It is such a graceful plant with its heart-shaped leaves and five-pedaled blossoms. Did you ever notice that they are shaped like a butterfly?  This flower's genus name is viola which is Latin for violet. Many think that it came from the Greek word, vion, a name related to Io, the beautiful water nymph whose tears turned to violets.  We like to think that she loves Sheffield Island! The species name, papilionacea is Latin for butterfly-like, just look at the flowers to see the resemblance.  Ecologically friendly, common violets are an important source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and moths.

Sweet Butterfly Shaped Violets

In a shaded area on the Island, you may spot Common Chickweed, a delicate white blossom, which is widely dispersed throughout the world. Many people consider this a weed, not knowing that it has been used in folk medicine for centuries. Chickweed has been used as a remedy for itchy skin and as an aid to treat bruises and aching bones. Chickweed is edible and often used like sprouts! It is said that the cooked leaves taste like spinach. Unless you can positively identify this plant, don't eat it!

Prolific and hardy - Chickweed

Beach Peas are just beginning to emerge. This sprawling vine, which is a proud member of the pea family, grows among driftwood and windswept sandy beaches. In Connecticut, it can be found along the shoreline, in salt marches, and hiding amid sand dunes. Beach Peas are a circumboreal species, meaning it exists around the northern hemisphere, as well as in Europe and Asia because the seeds of this plant remain viable in seawater for long periods of time, and somehow made their way around the world. In August, this long vine with its waxy dull green leaves produces showy purple flowers, that gradually turn blue as they mature... but more about that later!

Beach peas welcome spring

Peeking out of the woods is a graceful clump of Starry False Solomns Seal. A native woodland plant, it has glossy green leaves and a plume of bell-shaped creamy white flowers, spectacular in May and June.  To fast forward, the flowers are followed by attractive red-mottled berries that contrast beautifully with its green leaves in August. By September, the berries turn a rich mango color and the leaves turn to the color of wheat. 

Plumes of Starry False Solomns Seal in the woods on Sheffield Island 

We hope you enjoyed this blog, stay tuned for late spring, summer, and autumn wildflowers and much more!

Seaport Association Receives CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant from CT Humanities

 

The Connecticut Humanities awarded the Seaport Association located in Norwalk, Connecticut with a generous grant of $27,900 from CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant from CT Humanities (CTH). CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants assist organizations as they recover from the pandemic and maintain and grow their ability to serve their community and the public. 

“The Board of Trustees and I are very grateful to the Connecticut Humanities, the DECD/Connecticut Office of the Arts, and the Connecticut State Legislature for providing this crucial funding opportunity to the Seaport Association. This grant gives the Seaport Association the vital support it needs to create programs that strengthen our outreach to our community and beyond. It enables us to share the story of Norwalk’s maritime history and the importance of Sheffield Island Lighthouse, on the National Register of Historic Places and to create diverse events that are inclusive,” says Jerry Toni, Business Manager of the Seaport Association. 

The Seaport Association was one of 723 organizations in Connecticut receiving a CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant. Totaling more than $8.5M, these grants are part of a two-year, $30.7M investment in arts, humanities, and cultural nonprofits by the CT General Assembly and approved by Governor Ned Lamont. This CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant is provided to the Seaport Association from CT Humanities, with funding from the Connecticut State Department of Economic and Community Development/Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) from the Connecticut State Legislature. 

About the Connecticut Humanities CT Humanities 

(CTH) is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. CTH connects people to the humanities through grants, partnerships, and collaborative programs. CTH projects, administration, and program development are supported by state and federal matching funds, community foundations, and gifts from private sources. Learn more by visiting cthumanities.org. 

About Connecticut Office of the Arts 

The Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) is the state agency charged with fostering the health of Connecticut’s creative economy. Part of the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development, the COA is funded by the State of Connecticut and the National Endowment for the Arts. 

About the Seaport Association 

The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens who had the vision to revitalize South Norwalk and preserve Norwalk’s maritime heritage. The Seaport Association offers a cultural, environmental, and historical journey to the Norwalk Islands. The Sheffield Island Lighthouse and the Light Keeper’s Cottage provide a unique historical and educational venue that strives to increase awareness, appreciation, and consideration for the environment and how the preservation of historic buildings contributes to our quality of life. The combination of the Lighthouse and the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge offers an unparalleled opportunity to educate children of all ages and adults about the importance of preserving Long Island Sound, our environment, and our maritime heritage.

Seaport Association Receives Funding from CT Humanities For Connecticut Summer @ the Museum

 

The Seaport Association was awarded a grant from CT Humanities for participating in Connecticut Summer at the Museum 2022 initiative. This program invites Connecticut children ages 18 and under plus one accompanying Connecticut resident adult to visit participating museums free of charge from July 1 through September 5, 2022. Funding for the initiative is provided by the CT General Assembly, with the support of Connecticut Humanities, the Department of Economic and Community Development, and the Office of the Arts, which also receives support from the federal ARPA. 

“We are very proud to be among the grant recipients,” said Mike Reilly, President of the Seaport Association. “This infusion of funding will help us achieve our mission of education by introducing children from Connecticut, 18 years old and younger to our historic lighthouse and its maritime history that is such an important part of Connecticut’s cultural heritage. We are looking forward to sharing this experience with families from Connecticut this summer.” 

A day out on the water and a visit to Sheffield Island Lighthouse, a historic museum provides a special opportunity that can positively impact mental health, demonstrably improve learning outcomes among children and youth, and offer positive activities and outlets in many of the neighborhoods, towns, and cities that we serve. As children and students missed out on more than two years of group and school visits to our institutions as part of hands-on, interactive learning, the CT Summer at the Museum Program gives these children and students a chance to experience our maritime heritage and our historic lighthouse on Sheffield Island in Norwalk. 

The program, that the Seaport Association is participating in invites Connecticut children ages 18 and under plus one accompanying Connecticut resident adult to visit participating museums free of charge from July 1 through September 5, 2022. The Seaport Association is offering a three-hour cruise to Sheffield Island and Sheffield Island Lighthouse Museum as part of this program Tuesday- Sun @ 11 am and 3 pm from July 1 – September 5. Reservations must be made in advance online only. There is a limited number of tickets allocated for each day. To make reservations for a cruise to Sheffield Island Lighthouse Museum click here.   Tickets are subject to availability. Special events are excluded. Children will enjoy narrated tour on the way to the island and an hour or so of picnicking on the beach or in the new wooden pavilion, touring the historic lighthouse, looking for shells on the beach, and taking a walk to the Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge to view the colorful sea birds sheltered in the marshes and sandy shores of the island. If the day is clear, the New York City skyline can be seen. An added bonus is the telescope installed by the Seaport Association that is free to use and affords fabulous views of the Connecticut coastline. 

About the Seaport Association 

The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens who had the vision to revitalize South Norwalk and preserve Norwalk’s maritime heritage. The Seaport Association offers a cultural, environmental, and historical journey to the Norwalk Islands. The Sheffield Island Lighthouse and the Light Keeper’s Cottage provide a unique historical and educational venue that strives to increase awareness, appreciation, and consideration for the environment and how the preservation of historic buildings contributes to our quality of life. The combination of the Lighthouse and the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge offers an unparalleled opportunity to educate children of all ages and adults about the importance of preserving Long Island Sound, our environment, and our maritime heritage. 

About Connecticut Humanities CT Humanities

(CTH) is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. CTH connects people to the humanities through grants, partnerships, and collaborative programs. CTH projects, administration, and program development are supported by state and federal matching funds, community foundations, and gifts from private sources. Learn more by visiting cthumanities.org. 

About Connecticut Office of the Arts 

The Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) is the state agency charged with fostering the health of Connecticut’s creative economy. Part of the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development, the COA is funded by the State of Connecticut as well as the National Endowment for the Arts.