Kayaking In and Around The Norwalk Islands Author David W. Park Shares Kayaking Tips!

The recreational sport of kayaking has grown in popularity over the years and kayaking around the Norwalk area is no exception. In fact, the Norwalk Islands, considered the jewel of Norwalk, has become a destination of out-of-area residents along with many local residents who have taken up the sport. Kayakers from all over Connecticut, New York and even further away are attracted to the area for a variety of reasons. Kayaking the Norwalk Islands will also be included as a destination in a new book titled, "AMC's Best Sea Kayaking in New England" due out in the spring of 2015.

One of the many draws to the area is the number of public access points, including Calf Pasture Beach Park in East Norwalk which has a boat launch dedicated to non-motorized boats. The Norwalk beach also offers amenities such as plenty of parking, food service and rest rooms. Other public places to launch are available in Westport and Rowayton. And, perhaps the biggest draw to the area is a few of the islands are owned by the towns of Norwalk and Westport and are open to the public. Boaters can land on these islands and enjoy activities such picnics, swimming and overnight camping (by permit). The Norwalk Islands is also home to the historic (c.1868) Sheffield Island lighthouse on Sheffield Island owned by the Norwalk Seaport Association who offer tours and sponsor special events. The Peck Ledge and Greens Ledge lighthouses can be seen out in the open water and several of the islands are part of the Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge. The islands are also home to a variety of migratory nesting birds including Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Black Crowned Night Herons, Great Blue Herons, Oystercatchers, Cormorants, Osprey, Common and Least Terns to name several but not all.

The Norwalk Islands sit about one mile offshore and stretch approximately four nautical miles from Sheffield Island in the west to Cockenoe Island in Westport in the east. There are nearly two dozen small islands but the largest ones include (from west to east) Sheffield, Tavern, Hoyt, Shea, Peach, Chimon, Copps, Betts, Grassy, Calf Pasture, Goose, Sprite and Cockenoe Islands. A few of the islands are privately owned and a few are a wildlife refuge and are off limits, some at particular times of the year to protect nesting birds.

If you are interested in more information about kayaking the area and the Norwalk Islands, a local kayaking guidebook was made available in 2009 written by long time East Norwalk resident David Park. The book titled, "Kayaking in and around the Norwalk Islands" had been updated several times and is now in its fourth edition. The book includes kayaking areas between Sherwood Island State Park in Westport to Long Neck Point in Darien and includes details on where to launch, descriptions of all the islands, kayaking the three local rivers, coastal and offshore kayaking, navigation, safety tips, island wildlife and history of several of the islands. The book is also considered a resource for people interested in the area and nautical enthusiasts in general. "Kayaking in and around the Norwalk Islands" is also on Facebook for current information and more pictures click here.

The book is available for $10 at Calfe Mu at Calf Pasture Beach, the Small Boat Shop at Rex Marina in South Norwalk, the Westport Historical Society Remarkable Gift Shop, the Dock Shop Nautical Boutique in Darien, the Outdoor Sports Center in Wilton and online at http://norwalkriver.org/docs.htm.