2024 Boston Light Swim Schedule of Events

This schedule has been updated as of July 29th, 2024. Dates and times for safety meeting, course tours, and pre-race meeting are subject to change.

Friday
August 2, 2024

Tuesday
August 6, 2024

Safety Meeting (virtual)

Live, online meeting to review safety information and course details. Invitations and links to the recording(s) will be posted for swimmers, swimmer crew, and boaters on the 2024 Swimmer Central page.

This is mandatory for all swimmers, swimmer crew, and boaters are encouraged to attend. If you cannot attend live, a recording will be available.

THURDAY
August 8, 2024
1:30 PM

Course Tours (BHYC)

Check in for course tours at Boston Harbor Yacht Club (BHYC):
1805 Columbia Road
Boston, MA 02127

  • Board by 2:00pm for an optional, paid boat ride to see the Light at Little Brewster Island and view landmarks on the way back to Boston.

  • All attendees must reserve ahead of time; limited space available

THURSDAy
August 8, 2024
4:00 PM

Race bag pickup (BHYC)

  • Pick up race caps, and swimmer swag (race shirt and water bottle)

All Swimmers, boaters, volunteers, and crew are invited to the pre-race dinner!

Pre-race meeting and dinner

Boston Harbor Yacht Club - 1805 Columbia Rd, Boston, MA

This event will give you a chance to:

  • socialize with swimmers, crew, and boat pilots over pizza, salads and dessert

  • hear about the 100+ year history of the Boston Light Swim

  • review the course details, race logistics and ask any last-minute questions

  • see the last two islands from the view of the BHYC hall

  • pick up your commemorative swag (for swimmers and boaters!)

This year’s event will be BYOB. We will have coolers available for your alcoholic beverages, if you choose to bring them. The swim will be providing non-alcoholic beverages, including those provided by our sponsor, Best Day Brewing!

THURSDAY
August 8, 2024
5:00 PM

FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
6:30 AM

Swimmer and crew check in (BHYC)

  • Check in

  • Get body marked

  • Pick up boat flags

  • Meet your pilot on the dock and board your boat

BHYC is located between Castle Island and the Curley Community Center (alternate address 1805 Columbia Road). Consider parking closer to L Street Bathhouse/M Street Beach where we will end the race (check local parking signs for a safe place to leave your car for the duration).

FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
7:30 AM

Leave Boston Harbor Yacht Club

  • Leave at least one hour before the start (by 7:45am) to motor out to the start at the Boston Lighthouse, and earlier if there's an onshore wind or if visibility is limited

FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
8:30 AM

Boats arrive at Little Brewster Island

  • The trip from BHYC to the light takes approximately 45-50 minutes by boat

  • Boats with odd numbered swimmers should line up just behind the two lead safety boats; even numbered swimmer boats should stay back for wave 2.

FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
8:45 AM

Wave 1: five minute warning

  • Signaled by two short blasts from an airhorn

  • Also broadcast on channel 72 - keep your radios on!

FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
8:50 AM

Wave 1: start

  • Race start for odd numbered swimmers signaled by one long horn blast

  • Also broadcast on channel 72 - keep your radios on!

Wave 2: five minute warning

  • Wave 2 boats to make their way to the starting line

  • Signaled by two short blasts from an airhorn

  • Also broadcast on channel 72 - keep your radios on!

FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
8:55 AM

Wave 2: start

  • Race start for even numbered swimmers signaled by one long horn blast

  • Also broadcast on channel 72 - keep your radios on!

FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
9:00 AM

Start
+46 to 60 minutes

Swimmers begin to pass Rainsford Island

Start
+1:30 to 2:15 hours

Swimmers begin to round Long Island (pass site of former Long Island Bridge)

  • Lead swimmer in 2016 was at the bridge about two hours after the start

Start
+3 to 5:30
Hours

Swimmers finish at Curley Community Center, M Street Beach (west of the Boston Harbor Yacht Club)

  • Head toward the fence to the right of the bright white handball course

  • Look for the finish-line banner and orange buoys

Cheer in the first race finishers at Curley Community Center

  • Spectators encouraged to join us on the beach to cheer swimmers as the swimmers begin to cross the finish line

  • Spectators and boaters may access the race finish at the M Street entrance of Curley Community Center, 1663 Columbia Rd, South Boston, MA 02127, to the LEFT of the main facility entrance.

  • We encourage you to bring a blanket or a beach chair to enjoy some time on the beach with us as we watch swimmers arrive.

FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
11:30 AM

Post-race lunch and snacks

  • Sandwiches and snacks available on the beach for swimmers, boaters (RSVP, please!), volunteers, and crew.

FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
12:00 PM

FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
2:30 PM

 

End of race

  • Any swimmers still in the water must exit the water and motor to the finish area or to the BHYC dock to offload 

  • Leaving the water at 2:30 p.m. is a strict safety requirement, the time we are permitted by the US Coast Guard, and the time in which the tide will begin to turn against swimmers

Awards and raffle (Curley Community Center)

  • Awards will begin 30 minutes after the race ends to allow any pulled swimmers time to join the post-race celebration

  • Prizes awarded for the top male, top female, top open, and “last one back to the barn”

  • Raffle prizes to randomly picked swimmer race numbers

  • Food and beverages will be available on the beach

FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
3:00 PM

Event end (Curley Community Center)

  • Event ends, crew and volunteers pack up and clean up the beach

  • Nap time!

FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
4:00 PM

Directions

Boston Harbor Yacht Club
1805 Columbia Road
South Boston, MA 02127
(617) 269-5641

Getting to South Boston is easy from Route 93, and there’s usually on-street parking available in the morning along Columbia Road near the Boston Harbor Yacht Club (1805 Columbia Road, near the O Street intersection) and M Street Beach (west of BHYC). On street parking is marked. Be careful not to park in a resident permit-only space, as you will be ticketed. Use www.mapquest.com or maps.google.com to get directions from your location.

From downtown Boston and points north and west of the city, head south on Interstate 93 and take Exit 15 for JFK Library/South Boston. At the end of the ramp, turn left, go halfway around the traffic circle, pass the police barracks, and follow William J. Day Boulevard (which becomes Columbia Road). You can park on the parallel street or side streets that don’t require resident permits. 

The finish will be at the Curley Community Center at 1663 Columbia Road, South Boston, MA, at their M Street Beach, accessible by the doors on the M Street block, to the left of the main entrance.