Public Access
Visit Thompson Island!
Unescorted Public Access
Thompson Island will be open to the public every Saturday and Sunday from May to October. On Saturdays, the National Park Service will offer a guided walk of the Island’s many habitats and ecosystems including beaches, salt marsh, shrub scrub, meadows, and forest.
Guest access is available via our public ferry. The ferry will depart from our dock in South Boston at 9AM, sharp, and return to the mainland at noon. Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed by a Thompson Island Outward Bound staff member, who will provide a brief orientation.
“Unescorted Public Access” (UPA): Members of the public can have access to the Conservation Area, shoreline, and beaches for low-impact, non-motorized, non-commercial outdoor recreational use as defined in the Access Plan under the following conditions:
- They have UPA Reservations (reservation on a specific day on which UPA is authorized).
- They enter the premises from a scheduled UPA Ferry (boat authorized by Thompson Island Outward Bound to drop off and pick up UPA visitors).
- They receive orientation from Thompson Island Outward Bound staff upon arrival and acknowledge agreement to follow applicable rules and practices.
For more information on the conservation area on Thompson Island, please visit NPS.org.
Roundtrip tickets can be reserved up to 30 days in advance:
- Adults: $20.00
- Seniors, Military (active and retired), and Children ages 12-17: $10.00
- Children ages 11 and under: Free
No unreserved walk-ons please.
Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed by a Thompson Island Outward Bound staff member, who will provide a brief orientation. On Saturdays, the National Park Service will offer a guided walk of the Island’s many habitats and ecosystems including beaches, salt marsh, shrub scrub, meadows, and forest.
Detailed information about visiting Thompson Island, including directions to our ferry dock, can be found on our Visit page.
