The Queen of the Thimble Islands

Photo gallery for The Queen of the Thimble Islands

A large, multi-story house with a prominent tower, situated on a rocky island surrounded by water.
A house on a rocky island with a dock and stairs leading to it.
A well-maintained lawn with mature trees and a view of the sea.
A covered outdoor deck with a wooden table and chairs, overlooking a body of water and trees.
A large, two-story house with a stone foundation, a wrap-around porch, and a tower.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • The great outdoors
    Guests love the outdoor space here.
  • On the beach
    A rare beachfront property in the area - enjoy direct access to the beach and sea.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.

Popular amenities

  • On beach
  • Patio
  • Barbecue
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Washing machine

Explore the area

View map
Branford, CT
  • Place, Stony Creek - Thimble Islands Historic District
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Yale University
    ‪22 min drive‬
  • Place, Quinnipiac University
    ‪34 min drive‬
  • Airport, New Haven, CT (HVN-Tweed - New Haven Regional)
    ‪22 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

8 bedrooms (sleeps 15)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Single Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 5

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 6

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 7

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 8

2 Single Beds

4 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet

Bathroom 3

Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 4

Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 5

Bathtub · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden

Add dates for prices

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10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (75 reviews)
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About the area

Branford

Located in Branford, this holiday home is on the beach. Stony Creek - Thimble Islands Historic District and Bill Miller’s Castle are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Rose Vineyards and Foote Memorial Park Tennis Center. Guilford Art Center and Shoreline Trolley Museum are also worth visiting. With jet skiing, kayaking and waterskiing nearby, you'll find plenty of adventures in the water.
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Map
Branford, CT

What's nearby

  • Stony Creek - Thimble Islands Historic District - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Yale University - 22 min drive - 22.2 km
  • Hammonasset Beach State Park - 22 min drive - 24.0 km
  • Quinnipiac University - 34 min drive - 36.9 km
  • Fairfield University - 53 min drive - 61.8 km

Getting around

  • Guilford Station - 14 min drive
  • New Haven, CT (HVN-Tweed - New Haven Regional) - 19 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cumberland Farms - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Rose Vineyards and Winery - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Dunkin' - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Lenny's Indian Head Inn - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Queen of the Thimble Islands pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Queen of the Thimble Islands?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Queen of the Thimble Islands?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Queen of the Thimble Islands located?

Nestled on the beach, this Branford holiday home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Stony Creek - Thimble Islands Historic District and Stony Creek Museum. Branford Supply Pond and Guilford Town Green are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 32 out of 32 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 32 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Such a great stay! Feels like you’re in your own little world. Loved it, we will definitely be back.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing property!

Can't say enough good things. Absolutely incredible stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
My group had an amazing stay in the Thimble Islands. The house and grounds are so impressively well-kept for being on an island. It takes a little bit of prep (groceries, very short ferry ride, etc.), but once there and settled in you won't want to leave. Highly recommend for a relaxing retreat with friends or family.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Island paradise

Great island home to get away from everything.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house and the setting are absolutely beautiful. Some of our family came for the day; others stayed a few nights. The ferry service was great. The interior decorating was stunning. House is exactly as shown on VRBO. We are looking forward to returning next year.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
I love the Thimbles. Came here when I was a kid. It used to be our secret, but it is now discovered. And yet we still had a beautiful island-escape away family weekend. The house was even better equipped than expected. We were there for three days in an unusual three-day September northeaster. Because of the layout, both inside and out, we never felt cramped and had a fun time in the storm. We swam every da, then kids and grown-ups. enjoyed the hot two-showerhead level shower altogether, by the beach. Little people could burn off energy running circles around on the porches. Docks are excellent. Sheltered outside fire on the porch was so so useful on the blustery cold days. The Long just large enough for games of catch. I’d rather keep this all a secret so there’s better likelihood of our being able to book when we want to next time. But the family was so great to work with I feel morally obligated to reveal the truth about this gem!!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wheeler Island

Simply amazing. Clean and beautiful location.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous Location

Exquisite property. Well stocked. Bedrooms comfortable. Loved access to the water. Sunrise and sunsets were magical. We would 100 percent rent again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Another great week at Wheeler Island! This is our third year in a row there and I think we officially now have a tradition. Close to home but when you are out there it feels like you are miles and miles away. Everything was great!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spectacular. Lovely island home.

We spent 3 days on Wheeler Island. for my Dad's birthday. Easy to get to (for an island). Beautiful grounds/beautiful views. House is lovely and sleeps plenty of people. All the bits and pieces you need to enjoy life "at sea" there. Will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Disliked: Location

Magical island home

We stayed at this home with 15 friends and family celebrating a graduation. The home is lovely and fun and the grounds are well-maintained. We played yard games, kayaked and watched gorgeous sunsets on the water. I would give it more than five stars if I could.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unique and Beautiful Home

An incredible place for a memorable and relaxing family gathering. The house is very well designed and maintained, with extraordinary views in every direction. The kitchen is very well equipped and you will want to eat every meal in the porch by the outside. fireplace!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just Perfect!

I don’t think think I have words to justify the beauty of this place. We had a great time. Our kids still can’t stop talking about it. The owner and property manager was on top of all our needs. The house was very clean and tidy. Waking up to the sound of water was heavenly!!! Looking forward to going back soon!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing stay and experience

The house was great, the views and grounds were better! We spent a wonderful 3 nights here with 14 friends and this house fit us all comfortably. The Ferry service wasn’t bad once we figured it out, and there was plenty of public parking on-street near Ferry so don’t worry about that like we did. Host was very responsive and very pleasant. The water was warm but very murky with a decent current around the rocks so we didn’t swim, but kayaking around the area was fantastic. Just a couple minute ferry ($6 one-way) and you were back to mainland to do any activities you might desire (we hit Thinble Islands Brewery which had good food!)
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful relaxing time

Although the listing says there is WiFi there isn’t. We still had a very good time staying away from phone screen the whole time. Spent 3 nights at the property. There is no shortage of things to watch from the 360 degrees wrapped around porch. At night we made use of the outdoor grill and fireplace. The place is very well equipped with every amenities. You do have to bring your own firewood though.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We hosted a bachelorette party at the house, and it was a gorgeous setting. The landscaping was incredible, and having access to the kayaks was wonderful. The parking was easier and less strict than expected on the street. The ferry was relatively easy to contact through their website, sometimes requiring a wait of less than 30 minutes. At times the ferry made specific trips for us because the island is so close to shore. Only small things such as needing refills for handsoap in all the bathrooms, and bringing your own firewood for the gorgeous outdoor fireplace were cumbersome. The water is a little murky to swim but we utilized the kayaks a bunch. The house itself is magical. We would definitely stay here again and had little difficulty reaching the host.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Getaway!

We had such an amazing long weekend getaway on our own private island! The house had everything you could ever need (and more!). We traveled with 13 adults and it never felt crowded or cramped at all. The sunsets over the water on the deck were some of the most incredible ones we have ever seen, and coffee in the rocking chairs overlooking the water were some of the most peaceful mornings! The ferry rides are a little tough to figure out and schedule, but once you have it down, it’s not too bad. The promptness of the property manager was excellent when we had one question / needed help. five stars!! would return again without hesitation!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 23 June 2022
Hello Cat, So happy you, your sister and friends had a nice time on the island. Thanks for the kind words and yes, those sunsets are amazing. All the best, Jim
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wheeler Island = Amazing

From the minute we arrived by boat we knew we arrived at some place special. The first impression was amazing. The house sits up on the rock and the grounds were amazing with flowers and fresh mulch. Wow. The wrap around porches were amazing, tons of bedrooms and so much to do. The little beach was a fan favorite as well. Zero complaints! Was an amazing week and the locals we met in town and on the water commented on how they loved all the activity at Wheeler…they enjoyed watching the kids fish, jump off the dock, jet ski and kayak. Owner was great and the property is better than advertised. The photos do not do it justice at all. Would highly highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
WOW! Just wow! Everything about this property exceeded our expectations.We rented the Wheeler House in June to celebrate my wife's 50th birthday, and it could not have been a more perfect setting. The house comfortably accommodated 13 adults with plenty of room for everyone to relax and enjoy themselves.The property was immaculate, spacious, and stocked with everything we could possibly need. The grounds were beautifully maintained, with plenty of seating and gathering spaces both indoors and outdoors. We especially loved the wraparound decks, which offered breathtaking 360-degree views in every direction. There was even a small private beach tucked away beside the house, which was a wonderful bonus.I don't know if we were simply lucky, but the sunsets during our stay were absolutely spectacular. Every evening felt like a postcard-worthy experience.To make the celebration even more special, we hired a private caterer for a birthday dinner. We used Perfectly Planned Parties by Andrea, and she was fantastic. If you're planning a special occasion at this property, I highly recommend her services.A heartfelt thank you to the host for making such a beautiful and unique property available to guests. Our stay was truly magical, and it's an experience that my wife and all of our guests will remember for years to come.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The house was amazing!

Easy!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Paradise

I almost don't want to write a review because I don't want it to get all booked up! It is just so beautiful. Lush and comfy, the house is perfect. Central air, a view of the water on all sides, star gazing, gorgeous gardens, lots of pillows and good linens on the beds, an open great room, decks everywhere to see the sound. We were in heaven. The sweetest private beach, only a 3 minute boat ride to town. The owner was right there when we needed him. We are a group of women writers, we have done VRBO all over the world, and this was our favorite place yet. Just make sure you line up transport. The house is VERY close to shore and if you are coming during the summer, the water taxi comes and goes all the time, but they were a tiny bit tough to work with after labor day. You can always kayak out! ;) Definitely amazing. We want to book again right now!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best wedding weekend ever

We had the BEST time staying at The Queen of the Thimble Islands. We couldn’t ask for a better weekend to spend with our closest friends and family to celebrate our wedding. The property was beautiful for all of our pictures getting ready the morning of and the house was comfortable and homey. Thank you for the most amazing place to stay while we celebrated. Book your stay ASAP!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely Perfect! Incredible home and island for family and friends!

We stayed on Wheelers Island for a week in late August, and it was the perfect end to the summer. We were two families with young children (ages 2-10). The house was IMMACULATE, and the layout was great for our two families (four rooms upstairs; four rooms downstairs). The amenities are incredible, and the house is fully stocked with everything we needed. James and Lesli have thought of every last thing for their guests. We had wonderful meals on the porch; we swam everyday off the dock and beach; our children played in the yard; we played cards and read and relaxed. It was a perfect vacation and a perfect home. The proximity to land is a huge plus -- you have all the benefits and beauty of your own island, but the boat ride to land is only two minutes long. Very easy! We hope to return next year! Thank you, Jim and Lesli!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Queen of the Thimble Islands

Beautiful and Immaculate home inside with comfortably appointed design and furnishings. Sunlit bathrooms and bedrooms provided plenty of room and nice hot, good pressure showers. The decks became our breezy relaxation at dawn with coffee and at sunset with a family meal. We enjoyed the kayaks and the little beach was so much fun, especially at low tide searching for shells, sea glass and little hermit crabs. Bringing our own jet skis added tons more fun and we loved jumping off the dock and playing on the large lawn with our bocce set and after dark telling spookie stories. We did wish the wifi worked as we run several family businesses, but our hotspots were an acceptable solve. Overall, a Great vacation!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Highly recommended - with a few tweaks needed

We decided to go big for my father-in-law's 80th birthday and were pleased to find this place, newly purchased and newly listed. This is a great house-- in great shape, well-maintained and clean. We'd never done the private island thing before but found this an excellent spot for our fam to relax, confined to the island for several days. The house is only a 2 minute boat ride from the mainland dock (and visible from it), but we didn't need to be out in the deep sea to spend lots and lots of time on the house's wraparound porches and rooms with 360 degree water views. Our kids made good use of the beach (at low tide), the lawn on the (south)western side for wiffle ball, and we especially appreciated the kayaks (though one had a seat in need of repair and one of the 4 paddles had a broken side). There were plenty of dishes and household supplies (though we weren't clear on whether we'd need shampoo, etc.-- it helped that we brought some) and beds (12 little beds and 2 queens in 8 rooms). Our only complaints were the arrival of the cleaning crew 2 hours before our checkout time (they hid out in the basement, but it still felt rather inappropriate) and that there was NO HOT WATER to be had on our final (4th) morning at the house. That was not so fun for the morning shower crew! All in all, highly recommended with a few tweaks to be worked out....
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022
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