A Private Island Less Than Two Hours From NYC Listed for $1.65 Million
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2
Interior: 189 m² / 2,038 sq ft
Island: 0.42 ha / 1.04 acres
Amenities: Private island; dock; sandy beach; wraparound porches; 2 acres of deeded shellfish beds; furnished cottage; waterfront setting
For less than the price of many luxury apartments in New York City, buyers can purchase a private island in Connecticut’s Thimble Islands, less than two hours from Manhattan.
Listed with William Raveis Real Estate for $1.65 million, the property includes a four-bedroom cottage, sandy beach, private dock, and more than an acre of land in Long Island Sound.
Set off the coast of Branford, Belden Island is one of more than 100 islands that make up the Thimble Islands archipelago. Scattered just offshore from the Connecticut mainland, the islands have long served as summer retreats for residents of New York City and southern New England, offering a rare combination of privacy and easy access to major urban centers.
The 4-bedroom cottage dates to 1912 and measures 189 m² / 2,038 sq ft. Hardwood floors, wood-paneled walls, and a stone fireplace reflect its early twentieth-century origins, while wraparound porches look across the water toward neighboring islands and the Connecticut shoreline.
The sale also includes two acres of deeded shellfish beds surrounding the island, a feature rarely included in residential offerings.
While the setting feels secluded, the mainland is only a short boat ride away, with the village of Stony Creek providing access to marinas, restaurants, and the wider Connecticut coast.
The Thimble Islands began attracting seasonal residents in the nineteenth century as rail travel made Connecticut's shoreline increasingly accessible from New York. Over the following decades, cottages and private compounds spread across the archipelago, creating one of the Northeast's most distinctive waterfront enclaves.
All photographs belong to the listing agency. See more on William Raveis Real Estate.