Event Details
Swim Marathon
1. Swim Day Logistics:
- Swimmers should arrive at Captain’s Cove Marina. Shuttle buses will be provided to transport each swimmer and crew member to the ferry.
- Swimmers and their support crew will take the same ferry from Bridgeport, CT to Port Jefferson, NY. The cost of the Ferry is included . The swimmers and boat captains will meet up at Danford’s Marina and then proceed to the start at Whitehall Beach, just outside the Harbor entrance.
- Each escort boat will drop off their swimmer at the designated location specified by the Swim Committee.
- The finish is at Captain’s Cove Marina in Bridgeport. There will be a special temporary dock set up to act as a finish line.
- You may park at the Ferry parking lot or at Captain’s Cove and take one of the shuttle buses provided to take you to the ferry.
Please Review The Timeline Of Events For Specific Dates/Times
2. Swim Course Time Limits:
Long Island Sound is a major destination for recreational boaters on the weekend, and your safety is the most important consideration. In order to keep the “Armada” of escort boats and perimeter safety boats within a reasonable distance of each other to provide the safest environment, cut-off times, at designated distances from the entrance to Black Rock Harbor are provided below. The Swim Committee may grant additional time under certain circumstances. If you do not meet these designated cut-off times, you will be disqualified from the Swim. The Swim Committee may permit a solo swimmer or team to continue to swim (unofficially) only upon advancing up to a distance with the time limits. Such permission can only be granted by the Swim Committee on that day and will be on a case-by-case basis.
Time Cutoff | Distance to Buoy 2A (Land Miles) | Nautical Miles
- 2 hours | 11 miles | 9.56
- 4 hours | 8 miles | 6.95
- 6 hours | 5 miles | 4.34
- 8 hours | 2 miles | 1.74
- 9 hours | Reach Buoy 2A (1.3 miles to finish) | 1.13
- 9 hours 30 minutes | Finish at Bridgeport Harbor
All measurements are based upon distance from Buoy 4, which is located at the entrance to Black Rock Harbor. (ALL MEASUREMENTS ARE IN LAND MILES)
- Each hour, the Swim official assigned to each boat will record in a log book the following information: GPS coordinates, distance (Land miles) from buoy 2A, condition of the swimmer, stroke rate per minute, and any other information deemed necessary.
- Every 2 hours a Swim official/observer will report on the condition of the swimmer/relay and the distance from Buoy 2A. If it is determined that the swimmer or relay is not within the distance from Buoy 2A guidelines, the swimmer or relay may be asked to abort the swim for safety reasons.
3. Swim Course Management
- The Swim course is determined by the course committee based on tides and other conditions and may be adjusted during the Swim Marathon.
- All Escort Boats MUST FOLLOW the instructions of the Committee Boats. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
4. Water Conditions
- The water temperature in Long Island Sound during this time ranges from approx 70°F to 74°F.
- The Sound can be choppy with a strong wind, and there is a fair amount of recreational boat traffic during this time of year.
- Jelly fish are not uncommon during this time of year, and the swimmer should prepare accordingly with appropriate treatments to treat such stings if they occur.
5. Other Important Information:
- The Swim Committee reserves the right to change the start time and/or distance of the event in order to provide the safest conditions as possible due to inclement weather.
- Each swimmer will be assigned an escort boat provided by the Swim. You may not use your own escort without permission from the Swim Committee in advance.
- Boat crews must stay in the escort boat and may not swim along side the swimmer to provide pacing.
- Each boat will be equipped with GPS, radio and cell phone.
- EMT’s and Lifesaving professionals are positioned on the escort boats throughout the field.
- Fully-staffed medical boats and Underwater Search and Rescue Teams will be strategically positioned throughout the field.
- A Swim official/observer may be assigned to an escort boat to observe the swimmer and monitor his/her progress.
Mandatory Meeting
All solo and relay swimmers must attend a mandatory meeting/dinner on the Thursday before the Swim Day at a time and place to be determined.
Timeline Of Events
38th Annual Swim Across the Sound Marathon – Saturday, August 2, 2025
Important Dates & Schedule Details
Tuesday, January 17, 2025: Swim Marathon registration opens
Thursday, June 20, 2025: Registration Closes
Wednesday, July 23, 2025: Meeting for Long Island based Captains + one Crew member at Danfords Marina – 25 East Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY
Tuesday, July 29, 2025: Meeting for ALL Captains + one Crew member at Vazzano’s Four Seasons – 337 Kenyon St., Stratford, CT
Thursday, July 31, 2025: Meeting for ALL Swimmers at Courtyard Marriott – 780 Bridgeport Ave., Shelton, CT
Friday, August 1, 2025: (beginning @ 2pm): Registered Captains may reserve a slip at no charge, upon request, in Port Jefferson, NY. Registered Captains are also invited to attend a SWIM Foundation sponsored reception at the marina the evening of Friday, August 1, 2025.
Saturday, August 2, 2025:
- 6 AM: Continental breakfast is available for captains and crew.
- 7 AM: Boats report to Danfords Marina for event kick-off.
- Awards Ceremony will be held in the evening at Captains Cove.
Monday, August 4, 2025: Reserve date for Solo Swimmers
Sunday, August 5, 2025:
- Swim Memorial Service (8:00 am registration, 8:30 am Service at Captain’s Cove.) Cast a sunflower into the Sound in memory of a loved one.
- Join St. Vincent’s Swim Across the Sound at the 28th Annual Memorial Service. The event is open to all and will celebrate the lives of family members and friends we have lost to cancer.
Swim Day Schedule
- 5:00 AM – Meet at Captain’s Cove Seaport
- 5:30 AM – Shuttle buses depart for Ferry Terminal
- 6:00 AM – Ferry leaves from Bridgeport to Port Jefferson
- 7:15 AM – Ferry arrives in Port Jefferson
- 7:45 AM – Swimmers board escort boats
- 8:15 AM – Start time for Wave 1
- 9:00 AM – Start time for Wave 2
- 9:45 AM – Start time for Wave 3
- 2:30 PM – Estimated arrival time for lead swimmers
- 7:00+ PM – Awards Ceremony and Post-Swim Marathon Party begins immediately after last swimmer comes in
Fundraising Deadlines
- Monday, July 18, 2025 – Balance of fundraising pledges due. Outstanding balances will be reviewed for Swim Marathon participation.
- Monday, September 30, 2025 – Final 2025 fundraising completed.
Hotel Information
A special discounted rate is available at most locations.
In Port Jefferson, Long Island:
Holiday Inn Express, Stony Brook
3131 Nesconset Hwy, Centereach, NY 11720
1-800-HOLIDAY
There are a limited number of rooms available for $260 plus tax so book early! Deadline to receive the discounted rate expires July 2nd. No minimum stay restriction.
Click Here to Make Your Reservation Today!
Hilton Garden Inn Stony Brook
1 Circle Rd, Stony Brook, NY 11794
(631) 941-2980
There are a limited number of rooms available at a 15% discount off their standard rates until they reach 80% occupancy so book early!
Click Here to Make Your Reservation Today!
Danford’s Hotel
25 E Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY 11777
631-928-5200
There is a two night minimum stay
In Shelton, Connecticut:
Courtyard by Marriott
780 Bridgeport Ave., Shelton, CT 06484
203-929-1500
There are a limited number of rooms available so book early! Deadline to receive the discounted rate expires July 5th