Which Pittsburgh islands can you see by boat? The ones closest to downtown are Brunot Island and Neville Island on the Ohio River and Washington's Landing on the Allegheny, with wilder islands like Sixmile and Sycamore farther up the Allegheny. Several of them are hard to appreciate from land, but from a pontoon they become landmarks on your route.
Most people plan a river day around the skyline, the bridges and the stadiums. The islands are the part of the map that surprises them. This guide covers each of the Pittsburgh islands you can cruise past, what is actually on them, which ones you can visit and which ones you should enjoy from the water only. If you are planning a pontoon boat rental in Pittsburgh, it will help you build a route that fits your time on the water.
Historic maps show more islands in Pittsburgh's rivers than exist today. Some were dredged away for navigation, some were joined to the shore. Here is what is left near the city, listed from our dock outward.
Most of the islands close to downtown sit on the Allegheny and the Ohio. The Monongahela side of a cruise is more about Station Square and the view up to Mount Washington.
Brunot Island sits in the Ohio River a short ride from Vic's Boat Park in McKees Rocks, which makes it the first island most of our renters see. It covers about 129 acres and is officially part of the City of Pittsburgh.
The island holds a power generating station and is not open to the public, so there is no landing or wandering ashore. That does not make it less interesting. From a pontoon you get a long, open stretch of river, the railroad bridge to the island, passing towboats, and a clear look back at the hills and bridges of the West End.
Brunot Island is a good warm up for new drivers. The river is wide here, and it is an easy first leg before you head upstream toward the Point.
Head downstream from McKees Rocks instead of toward downtown and the river leads you to Neville Island. At nearly five miles long, it is the largest island near Pittsburgh. Unlike Brunot, it is a full community with homes, businesses, parks and a sports center.
Neville Island splits the Ohio into two channels, and the Emsworth Locks and Dams cross both of them at the island, about six miles below the Point. Treat the dams as the end of your run in that direction and keep well clear of them. Dams create strong currents that can pull a boat in, and the area near them is no place to drift or swim.
A Neville Island run is a nice choice when you want quieter water and fewer bridges than the downtown loop. It pairs well with an 8 hour rental, when you have time to see both directions.
To reach Washington's Landing, cruise up the Ohio to the Point, then turn up the Allegheny past PNC Park and under the yellow bridges. The island sits across from the Troy Hill neighborhood, with a front row view of downtown.
It used to be Herrs Island, an industrial site best known for stockyards. Today it is one of the city's most sought after riverfront addresses. Here is what you will see from the water:
Riverlife's Washington's Landing guide has more on the island and its marina.
Keep going up the Allegheny and the river gets greener. Sixmile Island is an uninhabited island formed by water carried deposits, across the river from the city near Sharpsburg.
Beyond that, past the Highland Park lock and dam, sit the wildest islands in the region. Sycamore Island is a wooded island near Blawnox owned by the Allegheny Land Trust and reachable only by boat. Farther still, the Allegheny Islands State Park protects undeveloped islands roughly 17 miles from downtown, with no docks or facilities.
These upriver islands are a long way from McKees Rocks and sit above a lock, so they are worth knowing about rather than a typical stop on a river rental. If they are on your wish list, talk to us about your route when you book.
The islands and their shallow edges are where the river feels most alive. Bring sunglasses and a little patience and you may spot:
Shallow water is also where a pontoon can get into trouble. Islands often have sandbars and submerged logs off their tips. Slow down near shore, give the banks plenty of room, and stay in the deeper main channel when in doubt. Any damage to the boat, propellers included, is the renter's responsibility under our policies, so careful driving pays off.
All of our rentals launch from Vic's Boat Park at 1 River Rd in McKees Rocks, on the Ohio River minutes from downtown. Rentals run between 9 AM and 9 PM in 4 hour and 8 hour blocks. That makes it simple to sketch a route.
Pick one direction. Either cruise past Brunot Island and up to the Point and the Allegheny to see Washington's Landing, or head downstream toward Neville Island for a quieter run. Leave time to get back, since our grace period on returns is only five minutes.
You have room for both. Do the downtown and Allegheny loop in the morning, pause somewhere calm for lunch on the boat, then head downstream toward Neville Island in the afternoon light.
Want more ideas for your route? Our guide to the top sightseeing routes on Pittsburgh's three rivers lays out loops past the stadiums and bridges.
Every pontoon in our fleet has shade from a bimini top and life jackets for everyone aboard, so any of them works for island hopping. The choice comes down to group size and how much cruising you want to do.
Rather leave the driving to someone else? Ask about a captain when you book.
Several of these islands are private property, industrial sites or protected land. Enjoy them from the water unless a site is clearly open to visitors. Take all trash back with you, keep music at a friendly level near homes and marinas, and never tie up to private docks. Before you head out, our guide to the top scenic spots on the three rivers is a handy companion, and anglers should read the angler's guide to the three rivers.
The main islands near the city are Brunot Island and Neville Island on the Ohio River, and Washington's Landing and Sixmile Island on the Allegheny. Farther up the Allegheny you will find Sycamore Island, Twelve Mile Island and the islands of Allegheny Islands State Park. Several more islands once existed but were removed or joined to the shore.
No. Brunot Island holds a power generating station and is closed to the public. You can still enjoy it from the water. It sits a short ride from our dock in McKees Rocks, so it is often the first island our renters cruise past on the way toward downtown.
Washington's Landing is the former Herrs Island in the Allegheny River, across from Troy Hill. Once an industrial site, it now has townhomes, a business park, a marina, a rowing boathouse and a pedestrian bridge to the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. From a pontoon it offers a great view back toward downtown.
In Pennsylvania, anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 needs a Boating Safety Education Certificate to operate a boat with a motor over 25 horsepower, which covers our pontoons. You can find course details on the Fish and Boat Commission site. Or ask about a captain when you book.
Yes, dogs are welcome on our rentals. Bring water and a bowl, plan some shade under the bimini, and consider a dog life jacket for the river. Mention your pup when you book, since every passenger and pet counts toward the boat's limits.
Ready to see the islands for yourself? Pick your pontoon on our boats page and book your time on Pittsburgh's rivers.
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