The Boston Harbor Islands

Map Description: Map of Boston Harbor, with the islands and peninsulas that make up Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park shaded and outlined in green. Dark green points open to pop-ups with more information about each of these islands and peninsulas. A full list is below.

 

Learn about the Islands of Boston Harbor

Explore the map to learn the history of the Boston Harbor Islands. Choose an island below for details about each of the islands in the park.

 

The Islands

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  Bumpkin Island

  Walking trails and the remains of an old stone farmhouse make up the landscape of this picturesque island.

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  Button Island

  This small island features a rock-strewn gravel beach and a large oak tree.

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  Calf Island

  Tidal marshes, wildflowers, tall grasses, and wild fruit trees are some of the varying aspects of Calf Island.

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  Deer Island

  On Deer Island, tour the “state of the art” wastewater treatment facility or stroll 60 acres on the shoreline path.

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  Gallops Island

  This small island offers a rocky beach, salt spray roses, and vistas from atop grassy bluffs.

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  Georges Island

  Explore the Civil War-era Fort Warren, enjoy a picnic lunch, or relax under a shady tree on Georges Island.

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  Grape Island

  Wander peaceful trails, explore the rocky beaches, and enjoy camping in wooded campsites.

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  The Graves

  This rocky ledge is home to the outermost lighthouse in Boston Harbor.

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  Great Brewster Island

  This largest of the Brewster islands features eroding cliffs, a salt marsh, tidal pools, and a large gull colony.

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  Green Island

  This shrub-covered rocky outcropping serves as a nesting site for gulls and cormorants.

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  Hangman Island

  A barren rock outcrop with a small pebble beach serves as a resting-place for the gulls, ducks and other seabirds.

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  Langlee Island

  With grassy patches under shaded maple, cedar, and birch trees, visitors can enjoy hiking on the island.

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  Little Brewster Island

  Home to Boston Light, the oldest lighthouse site in the country.

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  Little Calf Island

  This tiny bedrock outcrop was never inhabited by people, but gulls and cormorants use it for nesting.

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  Long Island

  This large island is home to Long Island Head Light and the now closed City of Boston social services facilities.

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  Lovells Island

  A rocky swimming beach, pine woods, and the remains of a fort characterize Lovells Island.

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  Middle Brewster Island

  This rugged Island, once home to a colony of fishermen, now is a haven for wildlife.

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  Moon Island

  This island serves as a firefighter training facility and police firing range.

 

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  Nixes Mate

  Pirate lore surrounds this black and white marker which has guided boat traffic for a century.

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  Nut Island

  Beautiful harbor vistas are found on this peninsula which houses a wastewater pumping station and landscaped park.

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  Outer Brewster Island

  This bedrock island supports the most diverse assemblage of breeding waterbirds in Boston Harbor.

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  Peddocks Island

  This large island features military ruins, varied habitats, scenic hiking trails, and overnight camping.

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  Raccoon Island

  This small island is characterized by gravel beaches and rocky slopes.

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  Ragged Island

  This little island is enjoyed by many for quiet reflection.

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  Rainsford Island

  A variety of wildflowers brighten the landscape of Rainsford Island.

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  Sarah Island

  This island's ledges, beaches, and mudflats make the ideal nesting place for gulls.

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  Shag Rocks

  Located among the Brewsters, these bedrock ledges have long been a danger to mariners.

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  Sheep Island

  Once 25 acres, Sheep Island has been eroded away to less than 2 acres by wind and water.

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  Slate Island

  Slate Island in Hingham Bay has remained relatively inaccessible due to the dense thickets of poison ivy, raspberry, and barberry.

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  Snake Island

  This island's mudflats and grassy clearings offer excellent off-shore birding opportunities.

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  Spectacle Island

  Spectacle Island offers several miles of hiking, a visitor center with exhibits, and a swimming beach.

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  Thompson Island

  This island of diverse habitats is home to Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center.

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  Webb Memorial State Park

  Walking trails lead through flowering trees and shaded picnic areas to excellent fishing locations at Webb Memorial State Park.

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  World's End

  The landscape plantings and roads of this large peninsula were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

 

The sizes of the islands in the park change every hour, as the ocean tides ebb and flow on their shores. All totaled, the park islands change from 1,483 to 3,067 acres during the tidal cycle. Learn how island acreage was measured, considering daily tides.

The names of several islands have also changed over time. How we selected the spelling of island names, and alternate names for some islands, are described in, "What's in a name?"