Where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound, Old Saybrook delivers a quintessential New England shore day — historic Main Street, lighthouse cruises, and more Katharine Hepburn lore than you can handle.
American Cruise Lines small ships tie up directly at Saybrook Point Marina — no tendering required.
💡 Pro move: No dedicated cruise terminal. The marina is well-equipped but this is a small-ship port — plan accordingly.
Only small expedition-style ships (primarily American Cruise Lines) call at Old Saybrook; they tie up at Saybrook Point Marina.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| American Cruise Lines | Saybrook Point Marina, College Street📍 | Docked |
| Other small/expedition ships | Saybrook Point Marina or Safe Harbor Ferry Point📍 | Docked |
Old Saybrook punches above its size with lighthouse cruises, historic walking tours, beach access, and a genuine Katharine Hepburn connection.
Stroll one of Connecticut's oldest downtowns, settled in 1635. See the 1767 General William Hart House (now the Old Saybrook Historical Society) on Main Street, and over 100 historically designated homes. Near Saybrook Point, the Yale Boulder in Cypress Cemetery marks where the Collegiate School — later Yale University — started in 1701.
Find walking tour guides →Board a Seabird Cruises boat for a narrated tour past Lynde Point Lighthouse and the offshore Saybrook Breakwater Light — both largely inaccessible by land. A classic Connecticut River estuary experience.
Find lighthouse cruise tickets →Old Saybrook's most famous resident spent summers in the private Fenwick borough here. The Kate — housed in the restored 1911 town hall and theater building on Main Street, opened as the arts center in 2009 — celebrates her legacy with a 285-seat theater, the Katharine Hepburn Museum, and live performances.
Check The Kate schedule →Walk the boardwalk over tidal salt marshes at the site of the original 1635 English settlement. Historical markers trace the colonial past; osprey and herons are common year-round.
Find nature walk tours →Old Saybrook's town beach on Long Island Sound — a calm, sandy stretch ideal for a summer swim or a stroll. The sound's protected waters make for gentle conditions.
Find beach day packages →Paddle the broad lower Connecticut River through one of the most ecologically significant river mouths on the East Coast. Rentals available near the marina.
Find kayak rentals →Old Saybrook is flat and very walkable — the marina-to-Main Street corridor and the Fenwick causeway are the two essential routes.
Walk from Saybrook Point Marina along College Street to the historic downtown. Pass the marina resort, then head up Main Street past The Kate, shops, and the General William Hart House.
The scenic causeway connects the marina area to the exclusive Fenwick borough, with panoramic views of Lynde Point Lighthouse, the Connecticut River mouth, and Long Island Sound. Katharine Hepburn's private estate is in Fenwick.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Old Saybrook, Connecticut, USA (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38°F / 3°C | 26°F / -3°C | 10 | 7:13 AM | 4:45 PM |
| Feb | 40°F / 4°C | 26°F / -3°C | 10 | 6:44 AM | 5:23 PM |
| Mar | 45°F / 7°C | 31°F / -1°C | 11 | 7:00 AM | 6:56 PM |
| Apr | 54°F / 12°C | 41°F / 5°C | 12 | 6:09 AM | 7:29 PM |
| May | 64°F / 18°C | 51°F / 11°C | 12 | 5:30 AM | 8:01 PM |
| Jun | 73°F / 23°C | 60°F / 16°C | 11 | 5:16 AM | 8:24 PM |
| Jul | 80°F / 27°C | 68°F / 20°C | 11 | 5:29 AM | 8:20 PM |
| Aug | 79°F / 26°C | 68°F / 20°C | 11 | 5:59 AM | 7:47 PM |
| Sep | 73°F / 23°C | 61°F / 16°C | 9 | 6:30 AM | 6:57 PM |
| Oct | 63°F / 17°C | 52°F / 11°C | 11 | 7:01 AM | 6:07 PM |
| Nov | 52°F / 11°C | 40°F / 4°C | 9 | 6:38 AM | 4:29 PM |
| Dec | 44°F / 7°C | 33°F / 1°C | 12 | 7:08 AM | 4:20 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Old Saybrook, Connecticut, USA. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.