LEONARDTOWN — The St. Clement’s Island Museum water taxi has started service with a new and larger vessel transporting visitors between the museum grounds in Colton’s Point and St. Clement’s Island State Park on the Potomac River.
The vessel currently operates under temporary restrictions, including limited passenger capacity. Visitors are advised to call ahead to confirm availability. Round-trip tickets cost $7 per person for all ages. The first departure from the mainland leaves at 10 a.m., with the last mainland departure at 2 p.m. The final return trip from the island departs at 3 p.m. Blackistone Lighthouse on the island opens on select days; details are available by phone.
Tickets are sold at the Annex Building next to the parking lot while construction continues on the new museum building nearby. No water taxi service operates on June 4, 11, 12, 20 and 21. Weather or other conditions may alter the schedule or cause cancellations.
Karen Stone, manager of the St. Mary’s County Museum Division, said the new vessel marks progress. “We are very excited to begin offering cruises on our new vessel. While temporary operating restrictions remain in place, this is an important milestone. We appreciate the public’s patience and support as we continue working through the final stages of bringing the vessel fully into operation.”
St. Clement’s Island holds historical significance as the site where English colonists first landed in Maryland in 1634 under the expedition led by Leonard Calvert. The island, also known historically as Blakistone Island, features a replica of the original cross erected by the settlers and Blackistone Lighthouse, originally constructed in 1851. The lighthouse was destroyed during the Civil War; a replica stands today.
The St. Clement’s Island Museum interprets this colonial history and the broader story of early Maryland settlement. The water taxi provides the primary public access to the island, which lies offshore from Colton’s Point in southern St. Mary’s County. The new, larger vessel is intended to improve reliability and capacity for visitors once full operations are approved.
The temporary limits are in place during the final stages of bringing the vessel into service. Full details on hours, programs and access are available by calling the museum at (301) 769-2222 or checking Museums.StMarysCountyMD.gov and the museum’s Facebook page.
