To reach this small jewel, we recommend you park downtown in Marblehead and walk to Dolliber Cove. Avoiding the traffic on Marblehead’s narrow streets will be immensely satisfying.

From Marblehead center, walk down to the harbor and Front Street, which runs parallel to the shore. Follow Front Street north along the water, then turn left on Oaks Lane (Fort Seawall, a historic fort guarding the entrance of Marblehead Harbor is accessible by continuing ahead). Turn right on Orne Street becoming Beacon Street, and watch for a narrow street on the right named Harding Lane. This is where you reach the shore and cross to the island facing you. The passage is about 200 yards long.

Allow about 30 minutes to reach Harding Lane from the center of Marblehead.

Crowninshield Island is a great place to picnic. Visitors tend to crowd the beach in summer months, but you can generally find a quiet spot elsewhere on the island. In other seasons you are likely to have the place for yourself.

Even if you miscalculate the tide and cannot access the island, the walk from Marblehead is worth the trip. You can still walk up to Fort Seawall to find a bench and look at Marblehead Harbor and the boat traffic, or go to the small Dolliber Beach and just sit on the sand

Crowninshield Island is managed by the Trustees of Reservations
(978-526-8687).