2025 Boston Light Swim Schedule of Events
tuesday
August 5, 2025
Wednesday
August 6, 2025
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 2025 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.
monday
August 11, 2025
1:45 PM
Course Tours (BHYC)
Check in for optional 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
monday
August 11, 2025
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 event is BYOB. We will have coolers available for your alcoholic beverages, if you choose to bring them. The swim will be providing non-alcoholic beverages, pizza, salad, and desserts.
MONDAY
August 11, 2025
5:00 PM
TUESDAY
August 12, 2025
5:45 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).
TUESDAY
August 12, 2025
6:30-6:45 AM
Leave Boston Harbor Yacht Club
Leave at least one hour before the start (by 6:45am) to motor out to the start at the Boston Lighthouse, and earlier if there's an onshore wind or if visibility is limited
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.
TUESDAY
August 12, 2025
7:30 AM
TUESDAY
August 12, 2025
7:35 AM
Wave 1: radio check in
Race officials will initiate roll call via radio for Wave 1 (odd numbered) boats to ensure arrival at the start.
TUESDAY
August 12, 2025
7:40 AM
Wave 1: five minute warning
Signaled by two short blasts from an airhorn
Also broadcast on channel 72 - keep your radios on!
TUESDAY
August 12, 2025
7:45 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: check in and five minute warning
Wave 2 boats to make their way to the starting line
Race officials will initiate roll call via radio for Wave 2 (even numbered) boats to ensure arrival at the start.
Signaled by two short blasts from an airhorn
Also broadcast on channel 72 - keep your radios on!
TUESDAY
August 12, 2025
7:50 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!
TUESDAY
August 9, 2024
7:55 AM
Start
+40 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
TUESDAY
August 12, 2025
10:45 AM
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.
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
Post-race lunch and snacks
Sandwiches and snacks available on the beach for swimmers, boaters (RSVP, please!), volunteers, and crew.
TUESDAY
August 12, 2025
12:00 PM
TUESDAY
August 9, 2025
1:30 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 1:30 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 (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”
Food and beverages will be available on the beach
TUESDAY
August 12, 2025
2:00 PM
Event end (Curley Community Center)
Event ends, crew and volunteers pack up and clean up the beach
Nap time!
TUESDAY
August 12, 2025
3:00 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.