Thimble Islands
More than a hundred small pink granite islands off Branford, with private summer homes on many of them, and 45-minute boat tours full of pirate legends.
The Thimble Islands lie offshore from Stony Creek in Branford, about 20 km east of New Haven. The group is made up of more than a hundred pink granite islets, and about 20-plus of them have summer homes. On some, a single house fills the entire island. From the Stony Creek dock, a roughly 45-minute sightseeing boat tour circles the islands, and the captain tells the legend of Captain Kidd’s buried treasure along with stories about the islands’ owners. Kayak rentals are also available. Tour boats generally run from May to October. Book ahead on peak-season weekends, as parking near the dock is limited.
Opening hours
Cruises run seasonally (about May–October)
Nearby sights
- Shore Line Trolley Museum
- Lighthouse Point Park
- East Rock Park
- Modern Apizza
- Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
- Wooster Square
- Sally's Apizza
- Yale Peabody Museum