Duck Island Raft Party

The 2026 Duck Island Raft Party will return to the waters off Duck Island in Westbrook, Connecticut on August 1, 2026, bringing another afternoon of raft-up boating, live music, giveaways, and charitable fundraising to Long Island Sound. Hosted by Atlantic Outboard, the 7th annual event is scheduled from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and has become one of the area’s most anticipated summer boating gatherings.

The event centers around a large raft-up near Duck Island, where boaters gather for an afternoon of music, floating, and community on the water. Atlantic Outboard encourages participants to bring friends, tie up with fellow boaters, and take part in a relaxed summer event built around the Long Island Sound boating community.

The 2026 theme is “American,” tying the event to the United States’ upcoming 250th anniversary. Boaters are encouraged to decorate their boats in red, white, and blue, bring a patriotic spirit to the raft-up, and compete for the Best Dressed Boat trophy.

Live music for the 2026 Duck Island Raft Party will be performed by The Take. The afternoon will also include giveaways and fundraising connected to the event’s charitable mission.

This year’s beneficiary is APK Charities, an organization that supports active, retired, wounded, and fallen service members and their families through financial aid and meaningful assistance. Donations made through the event help support that mission while giving boaters a way to combine a major summer raft-up with a community-focused cause.

The official rain date is Sunday, August 2, 2026. Organizers note that all boaters participate at their own risk, and attendees should come prepared for a busy raft-up environment with proper anchoring, safety gear, and awareness of local boating conditions.

As the 2026 boating season builds toward August, the Duck Island Raft Party is once again shaping up to deliver a patriotic afternoon of boats, music, floating, and fundraising off the Connecticut shoreline.