Coastal jewels

In recent years, however, the Boston Harbor Islands are feeling closer.

There’s been a big push to entice more visitors out to the islands, and the effort appears to be successful: Last year 150,000 people visited the islands - a roughly 25 percent increase from the previous year, according to Thomas B. Powers, president of the Boston Harbor Island Alliance, the nonprofit organization that acts as a steward for the 34 islands.

Now that summer is here, the South Shore is again a gateway to the islands. The public ferries have returned to piers in Hingham, Hull, and Quincy, and that service will continue until Labor Day.

“Because the South Shore is so close, it has a robust connection to the islands,’’ said Powers. “The South Shore can look out and see them.’’

This season, more programs and activities will be offered on the islands than ever before, Powers said. (When Powers became president of the Alliance in 2004, there were eight island events offered; this year, there are more than 150.)

There’s plenty to do throughout the summer, from kayaking to kite-flying to youth yoga. The Berklee College of Music is putting on free concerts, and Jasper White’s Summer Shack will host clambakes and an Iron Chef competition.

For history buffs, there are tours of Boston Light (the oldest lighthouse station in the country), as well as special events to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.

“We’re trying to provide something for everybody,’’ said Rebecca Smerling, director of community programs for the alliance.

“The push is really to engage different audiences, and drive different audiences to the islands,’’ said Smerling. The ultimate goal, she said, is to “enliven the park.’’

Collectively, the entire network of islands is a designated national park area, but individual islands are owned, managed, and staffed by different entities (which include the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the City of Boston, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, and National Park Service).

While the islands are now officially known as a national park, the South Shore has long held close ties to them. Georges Island, for instance, was once owned by a Hingham man named Caleb Rice.

Quincy has also had an especially strong connection to Peddocks Island, according to Lieutenant Robert Gillan, who patrols the harbor on Police Department boats daily. Gillan remembers a time when residents of Peddocks Island - known to locals as “islanders’’ - would use rowboats to reach Quincy’s shores to attend school.

“There’s a big family connection,’’ said Gillan. “And there’s a lot of history out there.’’

Up until last Friday, Peddocks Island had been closed to the public because workers were demolishing old dangerous structures and remnants of Fort Andrews. Visitors can now once again visit Peddocks Island - public ferry service has resumed, and camping reservations can be made online at www.reserveamerica.com.

Throughout the summer, several events will highlight the oft-forgotten history of the islands and their significant roles during the Civil War, which started in 1861. For example, Fort Warren on Georges Island once served as a training facility for Union soldiers and to house Confederate prisoners of war, the most famous of whom was Alexander H. Stephens, vice president of the Confederacy.

On Saturday, visitors can take a “living history tour’’ of Georges Island with a reenactor playing the role of Dr. Charles Macgill, who will reminisce about the time he spent locked up there as a Confederate political prisoner. Other reenactors will play members of the Massachusetts 54th Infantry Regiment, and demonstrate marching and military exercises on Fort Warren’s parade ground, to show what life was like for Civil War soldiers.

The Berklee Music Fest will take place at Georges Island on July 23 and Aug. 27. The Saturday afternoon concerts feature bands performing pop, R&B, Latin folk and blues-rock. (To those who are 21 or older, take note: Summer Shack will serve beer and wine at these two concerts, according to Powers.)

The Boston Harbor Islands are also offering the “Let’s Move Outside Junior Ranger’’ program, in which youngsters can work toward receiving a junior ranger badge by participating in physical activities outdoors. The season kicked off with the first Spectacle Island 5K Road Race & Kids Fun Run.

A variety of sporting activities continue to be offered every week, including the seventh annual Boston Harbor Islands Regatta, youth fishing clinics, youth yoga, family fitness day, kite-flying, disc golf, and hiking, to name a few.

For a complete schedule of events, visit www.bostonharborislands.org.

Island advocates hope this diverse calendar of events will draw new faces out to the islands.

“People protect what they know and love,’’ said Powers. The island park area “is a just a fabulous resource.’’

Emily Sweeney can be reached at esweeney@ globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @emilysweeney.