Welcome!
Welcome to the updated web page of the Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands. Our group of spirited volunteers has worked on behalf of the islands for three decades. Our non-profit group leads tours, provides visitor service, hosts activities and educational programs. If you see someone in a blue shirt on the Boston Harbor Islands, chances are it’s a Friend.
Providing volunteer services for the islands for over 30 years
Follow us on Facebook
BOATING INFORMATION * VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
BOAT TRIPS * EVENTS/CALENDAR
LIGHTHOUSE TRIPS * TIDINGS-NEWSLETTER
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On March 6th 2012 long time member John Forbes passed away.
For information about him and a memorial, please click on IN MEMORY.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Text in BLUE is a clickable LINK and will bring you either to a page of interest on the FBHI web site, or will open another page to a web site of interest.
Thank you for visiting, come back often!
------------------------------------------------
Volunteer Job Descriptions have now been posted on our Volunteer Page. Interested? Check out the page, read the description and then complete the online form. And if you're a State Employee, you may be eligible to make use of SERV Time.
---------------------------------------------------------
The PARK IS OPEN! Spring/Fall Ferry Schedule can be found HERE
Follow us on Facebook
BOATING INFORMATION * VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
BOAT TRIPS * EVENTS/CALENDAR
LIGHTHOUSE TRIPS * TIDINGS-NEWSLETTER
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On March 6th 2012 long time member John Forbes passed away.
For information about him and a memorial, please click on IN MEMORY.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Text in BLUE is a clickable LINK and will bring you either to a page of interest on the FBHI web site, or will open another page to a web site of interest.
Thank you for visiting, come back often!
------------------------------------------------
Volunteer Job Descriptions have now been posted on our Volunteer Page. Interested? Check out the page, read the description and then complete the online form. And if you're a State Employee, you may be eligible to make use of SERV Time.
---------------------------------------------------------
The PARK IS OPEN! Spring/Fall Ferry Schedule can be found HERE
Next tour - Wednesday June 20th - Little Brewster Island SOLD OUT
photo by W. Hope
Little Brewster is the home of the famous Boston Light, site of the oldest lighthouse in the new world. Tickets for our first two cruises of the summer season have SOLD OUT!
Please check out other tours and consider purchasing NOW!
Refunds only if the trip is canceled by the captain due to mechanical issues or weather conditions.
July 2nd Operation Sail and War of 1812 Tour of Boston Harbor
Join the Friends for a special tour of the dozens ofTall Ships and over 20 "Gray Ladies" - Navy Ships from around the world. They'll all be in Boston this summer to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812. Depart Rowes Wharf at 6pm, return at 9pm. This is a one-time-only tour.
Tickets are very limited - other operations are charging $35 per ticket, ours are only $27! Buy now!
Refunds only if the trip is canceled by the captain due to mechanical issues or weather conditions.
Tickets also available NOW for the FBHI June 20th Trip to Little Brewster Island (SOLD OUT), and July 11 & August 22 Long Island Trips. Also, Visit Great Brewster July 14, Calf August 18, and Lovells Island on August 8th!
CLICK on any of the BLUE LINKS to purchase tickets. Space is LIMITED!
Online sales for each trip will end at noon the day before the trip. IF tickets are still available, they will be sold at the dock, cash only please.
6/20, 7/11, 8/8 trips are Sunset Cruises departing Rowes Wharf at 6pm, returning to Rowes Wharf at 9pm.
All trips depart and return to Rowes Wharf located at 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston. Closest T Stops are South Station to the West, or Aquarium to the North.
East Boston Ferry, 1920's from the Melrose Mirror.
Come with the Friends to explore and learn about life on Little Brewster Island (home of Boston Light). Little Brewster has a storied history and an amazing view of Boston from the outer harbor.
Also come on one of two trips to Long Island! Long Island is the home of Fort Strong, the City of Boston's Long Island Hospital and numerous ruins. Today Long Island also hosts Camp Harborview, the City of Boston's Summer Camp for children. Long Island is normally off limits to the public.
Great Brewster discover the beauty that once attraced four women from Lowell Massachusetts to spend an adventurous weekend, Calf Island once the home of bonefide Movie Star Julia Arthur - see the remains of her private island home. Lovells Island once home to two range lights and Fort Standish.
Refunds only if the trip is canceled by the captain due to mechanical issues or weather conditions.
Northern & Southern Lighthouse Tours are now scheduled, tickets available!
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE or to learn more!
Depart Boston Harbor Cruises, Long Wharf Note: Route is always at captain’s discretion.
Extensive narration throughout each tour. Snack bar on board. Be prepared for changeable weather.
Southern Lighthouse Tours THREE SATURDAYS: 10am – 3pm
June 23, July 21, and August 18
After passing by Long Island and Deer Island Lights in Boston Harbor, we will hug the South Shore getting as close as possible to Minot’s, Gurnet and Bug Lights. On the return journey we will view Boston Light and Graves Light.
Northern Lighthouse Tours FIVE SATURDAYS: 10am – 3pm
June 9, July 7, August 4,and September 1 & 29
Cruise north for close-up views of Hospital Point, Fort Pickering, Ten Pound Island, Marblehead, Gloucester Breakwater, Eastern Point and Bakers Island lighthouses. The Twin Lights on Thacher Island will be our farthest destination. On the way back, we’ll view Boston Light and Graves Light.
Prices for Northern and Southern Lighthouse Tours
(include 5% City of Boston sightseeing surcharge) Adult $70.35; Senior (65+) $65.10; FBHI member $59.85; Child under 12 $59.85 Please purchase your tickets via our web page or via check. CLICK HERE for purchase information if paying by check. [paypal ticketing will be available online on Friday, May 4th].
Refunds only if the trip is canceled by the captain due to mechanical issues or weather conditions.
YOU Can help the Friends of the Boston Islands every day with an easily budgetable donation. Donations will be withdrawn from your credit card for a 12 month period. Consider this wonderful and easy option! The Friends are truly a 'grass roots' organization, a donation from you goes a-long-way. Donors that donate using the 'subscription' method become members with all of our membership benefits. For the cost of just a pot or two of coffee, you can make a difference! Thank you.
FBHI is holding an auction on eBay.
For a very limited time FBHI is having an online auction using eBay!
Check the FBHI eBAY Page, 10-100% of proceeds (depending on the donors wishes) will be donated to the Friends.
Click on eBAY to see the items. Donate items to the Friends and we'll auction them off as we gather them. Contact Walter Hope to learn how! (email: ChairmanFBHI@gmail.com)
New Member Benefit - 20% off a boat haul at Admiral's Hill Marina
While supporting the FBHI with a generous donation for our Boat Show Raffle, Admirals Hill Marina has also offered a 20% discount off of a boat haul. Members receive this valuable benefit to boat owners who have repairs to make, bottoms to paint, or for winter storage. Please visit their web page and thank Admiral's Hill Marina! Admiral's Hill Marina has a fuel dock, repair crew, 50 ton travel lift and large yard for repairs and boat overhauls. A helpful staff and ample parking, as well as a fuel dock fill out the many needs of boaters.
Clicking and supporting our advertisers results in the Friends earning a portion of the sales amount. This is an easy way to support the Friends!
Boat U.S. has also supported the Friends by donating
a year's on-water salt-water towing service for our Boat Show Raffle.
Boat U.S. has also supported the Friends by donating
a year's on-water salt-water towing service for our Boat Show Raffle.
Old Cell Phone?
Support the Friends by donating your old cell phone via Cellphones For My Cause. Cell phones contain heavy metals as well as precious metals and should not be land-filled or just thrown away. Help the environment, while helping the friends. Click on Cellphones For My Cause to learn how!
Searching on the internet?
Searching for things on the internet? Help the Friends by joining Good Search! Great results powered by Yahoo! Search and about a penny is donated for every search you do. You'll need to register with the system, and select Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands as your organization of choice. Good Search also has a service Good Shop, and Good Dinning as well!