Get to Know Essex
We’re so lucky to call Connecticut’s Essex Island our home port. The 13-acre Essex Island is an extremely popular destination for boaters with its proximity to the historic Essex Village. The island is easily accessible just up the Connecticut River from Long Island Sound.
The town of Essex is made up of three villages: Essex Village, Centerbrook, and Ivoryton, with a rich history dating back to the early 1600s. Essex was a key shipbuilding center and was the site where the state’s first battleship, the Oliver Cromwell, was built and launched in 1776.
Its storied past, natural beauty and walkable amenities make Essex Village a great day stop, with an assortment of gift shops, kitchen supplies, pet and children's toys, boutiques and local crafts.
Ferry Tale
One of the best parts about coming to Essex Island is to get back and forth to historic Essex Main Street – without a dinghy – you need to take a free, two-to-three-minute ferry ride across from the Island to the Mainland. From the Island, the ferry deposits you at the foot of Pratt and Ferry streets.
The ferry runs continuously from 7 AM to 11 PM (hours may vary based on the month and run a bit later on summer Fridays and Saturday). The ferry only allows 6 persons at a time so there can be a tiny wait, but it’s worth it! Dogs are welcome of course, and may even get a treat!