Spectacle Island is part of the Boston Harbor Islands. The island was formerly used for farming, a quarantine hospital, a glue factory, resort hotels and a garbage dump. It was recently the receiving ground for excavated material from the Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel Project. The site is being returned to the public for recreation as a park is constructed over the landfill. It boasts a visitor center, restrooms with showers, hiking trails, swimming, a snack shack, boating, and a marina with day and overnight slips. The beach is supervised by lifeguards from late June through Labor Day. Spectacle is only accessible by boat, and ferry service is available to the islands from Boston and the South Shore throughout the summer season. Park boats also regularly serve several islands in the park. Visitor services information can be found on the web at www.bostonislands.com or by calling (617) 223-8666.

The description above was copied from or heavily based on Swim Guide, with permission.

More Information

• Swim Guide - Weather and water quality for Spectacle Island and 8,000 other beaches.