CAMPING

Thacher Island is a beautiful little island about 2.5 miles from our shop on Rockport Harbor. It hosts a National Wildlife Refuge and has twin lighthouses, erected in 1771, which align North to South and pointed the way to Gloucester Harbor and Boston for whalers and seafarers returning from afar. Thacher Island has been mentioned in literature and films over the years – everything from Rudyard Kipling’s Captains Courageous to a brief mention by George Clooney as Captain Billy Tyne in the movie The Perfect Storm.

Thacher Island is a fun place to get away from it all for an overnight camping experience. The island has twin lighthouses, a small museum with a video describing the history of the island, a campground, rocky coves, paths to explore, a solar-powered outhouse, and even a graveyard to visit in the wee hours of the morning if you are so inclined... They offer covered pavilions to protect from the weather, but tents are still recommended.

- bug repellent, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
-water bottles and water (there is no fresh water available on the island)
- tent and ground cloth
-sleeping bag
-weather-appropriate clothing for paddling and overnight camping
- bowl, cup, knife, spoon, fork
-camping stove and fuel. The island does not allow open fires.
-enough food for dinner and breakfast and snacks.
* Please use soft-sided coolers only, please!​

-We cover the camping fee
-Guides to get you there and show you around the island (leave mainland @ 3PM and return by Noon the next day but we will try to work around your schedule)
-Dry bags
-Stay overnight with you, if you want or not
-We may have other gear for rent (stove, pots, water bags, sleeping bag, tents)