Begin by downloading the Site Sheets below onto your personal computer or, if capable, directly to your GPS unit.

The first site is located at the bronze map in front of the Boston Harbor Islands Discovery Center at the John Joseph Moakley Courthouse. The coordinates are: N 42º 21.261’ W 071º 02.879’.

From here, use the clues found at the bottom of the Site Sheet to guide you to the next site.

Things to Know about IslandCaching

Use the coordinates and clues found at the bottom of each Site Sheet to identify the specific locations for the sites. The IslandCache Program uses North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83). If you are attempting to complete the program without a GPS unit, you will have to use the clues from the Site Sheets to indicate the approximate location of the next site.

The IslandCache Program is entirely virtual and supports the practice of Leave No Trace. Please do not endanger park resources or visitor safety by burying or hiding any physical caches within the park’s borders.

This program requires the use of the park's ferry and inter-island shuttles, which operate seasonally from early-May to mid-October. Check the ferry schedule to coordinate your trip to the islands.

Depending upon the sites you choose to explore and the amount of time you spend at each site, the estimated time to complete the program is about six hours.

Though there is no fee to participate in the IslandCache Program, you must have a ferry ticket with inter-island connection to get to the appropriate islands. The ticket is good for the entire day, and can be purchased at the Long Wharf North ticket kiosk or online.

All of the sites are located on trails or hardened surfaces. The first two sites, however, are the only sites accessible to individuals with limited physical abilities.

1. Introduction to Boston Harbor Islands (PDF - 142kb)

2. The Nucleus of Maritime Trade (PDF - 92kb)

3. Reconnection and Renewal (PDF - 476kb)

4. Native Americans on the Islands (PDF - 229kb)

5. Harbor Defense (PDF - 122kb)

6. The Outer Islands (PDF - 488kb)

7. Tidepools, Flora and Fauna (PDF - 375kb)

Please Note: Geocaching with traditional physical caches is not permitted in the park.