We are constantly asked about the 34 islands that make up the Boston Harbor Island National Park System. In this post we will talk about Spectacle Island.
Just a short boat ride from downtown Boston, Spectacle Island is the only island with transient docks for day boaters. The island features a marina, visitor center, cafe, swimming beach and five miles of walking trails.
The island was initially composed of two small drumlins connected by a spit, with an approximate size of 49 acres. The name is believed to derive from its then-resemblance to a pair of spectacles, or eye glasses. The island was the receiving ground for excavated material from the Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel Project enlarging it to 105 acres and filling in the spit, so from the air the island no longer looks like a pair spectacles.
Spectacle Island has a wide history that included farming, a quarantine hospital, a glue factory, resort hotels and a garbage dump. The island at its highest point is 157 feet making it the highest point in the harbor.
To learn more about our tours and packages click here. We look forward to having you aboard you aboard OooHaHa where you will see the Boston Harbor Islands in luxury.