Look for seals in Long Island Sound, enjoy the colors of twilight on the water and get close to eight historic lighthouses through a variety of public cruises offered this month by The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.
Greens Ledge Lighthouse off Norwalk is one of eight beacons to be visited during The Maritime Aquarium’s “Western Long Island Sound Lighthouse Cruise” on Saturday, March 26. Fall colors not included. (Photo by Radu Gheorghe)
The Aquarium’s current season of “Seal-Spotting & Birding Cruises” continues with outings March 13, 19 and 20. New “Sunset Cruises” debut on March 19 with an adults-only happy-hour-type outing to the Norwalk islands.
And a “Western Long Island Sound Lighthouse Cruise” on March 26 will feature special guest Jeremy D’Entremont, who has been called the leading expert on New England’s historic lighthouses.
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— an announcement from the Maritime Aquarium
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Like all of the Aquarium cruises offered to the public and to school groups, these outings will occur aboard R/V Spirit of the Sound™, the only research vessel in the country with quiet hybrid-electric propulsion.
• “Seal-Spotting & Birding Cruises” – Journey out in hopes of seeing some of the seals and waterfowl that visit the Sound each winter. March departures are: Sun., March 13 at 9 a.m.; Sat., March 19 at 1 p.m.; and Sun., March 20 at 2 p.m. Tickets for these 2.5-hour cruises are $24.95 ($19.95 for Aquarium members).
• “Sunset Cruise” March 19 – Enjoy a fun relaxing tour out to the Norwalk islands timed to include the setting sun. Aquarium educators will point out sights and wildlife, but this cruise stresses de-stressing while twilight paints the western sky. The 2.5-hour cruise departs at 5 p.m. and is for ages 21 and older. Tickets are $49.95 and include a signature cocktail. Additional drinks will be available for purchase. Light fare is available by pre-order by noon on March 16.
• “Western Long Island Sound Lighthouse Cruise” March 26 – This cruise will make close passes by Greens Ledge and Sheffield Island lighthouses in Norwalk, Harbor Ledge in Stamford, Great Captain Island of Greenwich, Execution Rocks off New Rochelle, and Long Island’s Stepping Stones, Sands Point and Eatons Neck lights. All but the Sands Point Lighthouse are on the National Register of Historic Places. The six-hour cruise departs at 9 a.m. Tickets are $75 (or $65 for Aquarium members).
D’Entremont, the special guest March 26, is author or co-author of more than 10 books, including “The Lighthouses of Connecticut,” “The Lighthouses of Maine” and “The Lighthouse Handbook: New England.”
On all cruises, binoculars will be provided. But bring your camera!
R/V Spirit of the Sound has a climate-controlled cabin and two deck levels.
Advance reservations are strongly suggested for all Aquarium cruises. Reserve your tickets online – and see the full spring and summer schedule for R/V Spirit of the Sound – at www.maritimeaquarium.org. Or call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206.