2010 Map of Plum Island

About this map

Plum Island sits at the critical junction of Long Island Sound, Block Island Sound, and Gardiners Bay. This coastal survey highlights the island's isolation and its significant role in national research, dominated by the United States Department of Agriculture facility. To the west, the tip of the North Fork is anchored by the settlement of Orient Point, where maritime history is preserved at the Latham Cemetery and the Orient Point Lighthouse. Navigational hazards such as Middle Ground and Midway Shoal define the treacherous waters of Plum Gut, a narrow passage essential for mariners. The map captures the island's unique 21st-century status as a restricted government enclave surrounded by rocky reefs like Bedford Reef and significant maritime landmarks including the Plum Island Lighthouse.