Lighthouses
Cape Cod & the Islands have the most legendary lighthouses of them all
24 places to visit
Nobska Point Light at Woods Hole Harbor
Location: Church Street
Church Street Woods Hole, MA 02543 Open: The grounds are open year-round; the lighthouse tower is open in 2007 on April 14; May 19; June 2; July 5 and 19; August 2, 11, 16, and 30; December 1. Directions: Follow State Route 28 through Falmouth. From the north, turn right on Woods Hole Road (from the south, turn left and follow signs to Woods Hole). Travel three miles and turn left on Church Street. Parking in front of the lighthouse.
Information: E-mail Abtda@aol.com.
The facility: Tours offered from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Admission is free. Attendance is heavy and it is not uncommon to wait an hour or more to tour the lighthouse. Early arrival is recommended. Station established in 1829; present tower built in 1876. Light flashes white every six seconds; fog signal is two blasts every 30 seconds. The keeper's house is home for the commander of Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England.
Information: E-mail Abtda@aol.com.
The facility: Tours offered from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Admission is free. Attendance is heavy and it is not uncommon to wait an hour or more to tour the lighthouse. Early arrival is recommended. Station established in 1829; present tower built in 1876. Light flashes white every six seconds; fog signal is two blasts every 30 seconds. The keeper's house is home for the commander of Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England.
Gay Head Light (Aquinnah Light)
Location: Aquinnah (Gay Head) Cliffs, Martha's Vineyard
Aquinnah (Gay Head), Martha's Vineyard, MA 508-627-4441 Accessibility: Sunset tours are offered on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from mid-June to mid-September. Tours are available from 90 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after sunset. Call the Martha's Vineyard Historical Society for more information at 508-627-4441 or 508-645-2211. The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Lighthouse built 1856. Light alternates red and white flashes each 15 seconds.
Brant Point Light
Location: Nantucket Island
Nantucket, MA Accessibility: The grounds are open to the public; the lighthouse is within walking distance of the ferry landing. The tower is not open to the public. The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Lighthouse built 1901. Light flashes red, eclipsed every four seconds; fog signal is one blast every 10 seconds.
Chatham Light at Chatham Harbor
Location: Chatham Harbor, southeast corner of Cape
Shore Road Chatham, MA 02633 508-430-0628 Directions: From State Route 28, bear southwest at the Chatham rotary to Main Street. At the end of Main Street, turn right onto Shore Road.
The facility: This lighthouse is a U.S. Coast Guard station and an aid to navigation. The lighthouse and keeper’s house were built in 1808. In November 1870 a nor’easter smashed the barrier beach and started a pattern of erosion that would later undermine 228 feet of land in front of the lighthouse. In 1877 two new lighthouses and a keeper’s house were built west of the road. Within the next four years, the earlier lighthouses toppled into the sea. In 1923, the north tower was moved to Nauset in Eastham. During a nor'easter in October 1991 part of the overlook and parking lot washed away, but the overlook has been restored.
The facility: This lighthouse is a U.S. Coast Guard station and an aid to navigation. The lighthouse and keeper’s house were built in 1808. In November 1870 a nor’easter smashed the barrier beach and started a pattern of erosion that would later undermine 228 feet of land in front of the lighthouse. In 1877 two new lighthouses and a keeper’s house were built west of the road. Within the next four years, the earlier lighthouses toppled into the sea. In 1923, the north tower was moved to Nauset in Eastham. During a nor'easter in October 1991 part of the overlook and parking lot washed away, but the overlook has been restored.
Race Point Light, northern tip of Cape Cod
Location: Northern tip of Cape Cod
Race Point Road Provincetown, MA 02657 855-722-3959 Open: Public tours change from year to year, but generally they are held twice a month, June through September, and once in October. The grounds are open year-round.
Accessibility: Visitors can reach the lighthouse by parking at Race Point Beach and walking to the lighthouse (about 45 minutes). Visitors can also use their own four-wheel drive vehicle or contact Provincetown dune tour operators.
The facility: Gift shop is open. The keeper's house is available for overnight stays from spring through fall. Oversand transportation to Race Point is offered to the public on Mariner’s Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the entire Light Station is open to tours. (Last ride to the lighthouse is at 2 p.m.)
Accessibility: Visitors can reach the lighthouse by parking at Race Point Beach and walking to the lighthouse (about 45 minutes). Visitors can also use their own four-wheel drive vehicle or contact Provincetown dune tour operators.
The facility: Gift shop is open. The keeper's house is available for overnight stays from spring through fall. Oversand transportation to Race Point is offered to the public on Mariner’s Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the entire Light Station is open to tours. (Last ride to the lighthouse is at 2 p.m.)
Highland Light on Cape Cod National Seashore
Location: Cape Cod National Seashore, east side of Cape Cod
Highland Road North Truro, MA 02652 508-771-2144 Open: The grounds are open year-round; the lighthouse is open from May 1 to late October. Directions: From the south, take State Route 6 and turn right east on Highland Road. Watch for signs to Highland (Cape Cod) Light. Follow the signs to the lighthouse.
The facility: The building houses an Interpretive Room where guests can watch a 10-minute video showing the history of the lighthouse. An observation deck is located at the edge of a cliff 120 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Gift shop in the keeper’s house. Guided tours of the lighthouse tower are offered by the Truro Historical Society daily from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. This lighthouse is an active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation, owned by Cape Cod National Seashore. Built in 1797 and reconstructed in 1857, Cape Cod Highland Lighthouse is the oldest and highest lighthouse on Cape Cod. Highland House (home of the Truro Historical Museum) is a short walk from the lighthouse.
The facility: The building houses an Interpretive Room where guests can watch a 10-minute video showing the history of the lighthouse. An observation deck is located at the edge of a cliff 120 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Gift shop in the keeper’s house. Guided tours of the lighthouse tower are offered by the Truro Historical Society daily from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. This lighthouse is an active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation, owned by Cape Cod National Seashore. Built in 1797 and reconstructed in 1857, Cape Cod Highland Lighthouse is the oldest and highest lighthouse on Cape Cod. Highland House (home of the Truro Historical Museum) is a short walk from the lighthouse.
Three Sisters of Nauset
Location: Off Nauset Road
Cape Cod National Seashore Eastham, MA 02642 508-771-2144 Accessibility: The lighthouse grounds are open year-round as part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Ranger-guided tours of the buildings are offered during the summer. Directions: State Route 6 to Eastham; turn right on Nauset Road. Follow signs to Nauset Lighthouse.
The facility:The original lighthouse at Nauset was built in 1837, and was constructed as three brick towers to distinguish it from the single light at Highland and the twin lights at Chatham.
The facility:The original lighthouse at Nauset was built in 1837, and was constructed as three brick towers to distinguish it from the single light at Highland and the twin lights at Chatham.
Nauset Light
Location: Ocean View Drive
Ocean View Drive Eastham, MA 02642 508-240-2612 Open: In 2010, open all Sundays from May 9 through October 31. Also open on Wednesdays in July and August. Tours held 1-4 p.m.
Directions: Take Route 6 to Bracket Road; turn right onto Bracket Road. Follow to end and turn left onto Nauset Road. Take first right onto Cable Road. At end of Cable Road, turn left onto Ocean View Drive.
The facility: The current beacon at Eastham was originally built in 1887 as one of the twin lights at Chatham. In 1923, it was moved from Chatham to replace the last of the Three Sisters Lighthouses. Erosion threatened the survival of the lighthouse, and in 1993 the Coast Guard proposed decommissioning it. The Nauset Light Preservation Society financed a project to move the lighthouse further inland. By 1996, the light was moved away to its present location. It is located in the Cape Cod National Seashore and managed by the preservation society.
Directions: Take Route 6 to Bracket Road; turn right onto Bracket Road. Follow to end and turn left onto Nauset Road. Take first right onto Cable Road. At end of Cable Road, turn left onto Ocean View Drive.
The facility: The current beacon at Eastham was originally built in 1887 as one of the twin lights at Chatham. In 1923, it was moved from Chatham to replace the last of the Three Sisters Lighthouses. Erosion threatened the survival of the lighthouse, and in 1993 the Coast Guard proposed decommissioning it. The Nauset Light Preservation Society financed a project to move the lighthouse further inland. By 1996, the light was moved away to its present location. It is located in the Cape Cod National Seashore and managed by the preservation society.
Monomoy Point Light
Location: South end of South Monomoy Island
Eastham, MA 02633 508-945-0594 Accessibility:The Monomoy Island Ferry offers a variety of trips, including visits to the island. The Friends of Monomoy may offer programs that include an overnight stay in the keeper's house; call 508-945-0594 for current information.
The facility: Station established in 1823; present lighthouse and keeper’s house built in 1849; deactivated in 1923. The property is now managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The facility: Station established in 1823; present lighthouse and keeper’s house built in 1849; deactivated in 1923. The property is now managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Hyannis Harbor Light (South Hyannis Light)
Location: Hyannis Harbor
Hyannis Harbor Hyannis, MA 02601 Open: The lighthouse is privately owned and is not open to the public. The best views are from the water or from nearby Keyes Beach. The facility: Station established: 1849; Present tower built: 1849; Deactivated: 1929
Point Gammon Light
Great Island Road West Yarmouth, MA 02673 Accessibility: The land surrounding the lighthouse is privately owned and is not open to the public. The best views are from the water.
The facility: Station established and present tower built in 1816; discontinued in 1858.
The facility: Station established and present tower built in 1816; discontinued in 1858.
Sandy Neck Light
Location: Entrance to Barnstable Harbor, Cape Cod
Barnstable, MA 02630 Accessibility: The lighthouse is privately owned and is not open to the public. It is best seen by boat and can be seen from whale watches leaving Barnstable Harbor. The facility: The station was established in 1826; present tower was built in 1857 and deactivated in 1931. The keeper’s house, built in 1880, still stands.
Stage Harbor Light
Location: Stage Harbor, Harding's Beach, Nantucket Sound
Chatham, MA 02633 Accessibility:The lighthouse is privately owned and is not open to the public. Good views are possible from Harding's Beach.
The facility: Station established and keeper’s house and tower were built in 1880; deactivated in 1933. Keeper’s house still stands.
The facility: Station established and keeper’s house and tower were built in 1880; deactivated in 1933. Keeper’s house still stands.
Long Point Light
Location: Cape Cod Bay / Provincetown Harbor
Provincetown Harbor Provincetown, MA 02657 Open: The grounds are open to the public, but the lighthouse is not. Accessibility: Long Point is accessible in summer from Provincetown via a boat shuttle run by Flyer's. The lighthouse can also be reached after a long strenuous hike across a breakwater to Wood End, then across sand to Long Point. The facility: This lighthouse is an active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Station established in 1826; current lighthouse tower built in 1875. The lighthouse operates a fixed green light; the foghorn sounds once every 15 seconds.
Cleveland Ledge Light
Location: Cleveland Ledge Channel, Buzzards Bay
Cleveland Ledge Channel Buzzard's Bay, MA 02532 Open: The lighthouse is not open to the public and is best viewed by boat. The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Station established and current lighthouse tower built in 1943. Light flashes white every 10 seconds and fog signal is one blast every 15 seconds.
Wood End Light
Location: West End of Provincetown
Entrance to Provincetown Harbor Provincetown, MA 02657 Accessibility: The lighthouse is not open to the public, but the property can be reached by foot across the breakwater from Provincetown's West End. The facility: This lighthouse is an active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Station established and present lighthouse built in 1872. Fog signal is a horn (originally a bell), one blast every 30 seconds
West Chop Light
Location: Entrance to Vineyard Haven Harbor, Martha's Vineyard
Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard, MA Accessibility: The lighthouse is not open to the public, but good views are possible from the road. The facility: Active Coast Guard aid to navigation. Lighthouse built 1891. Light is white, occulting every four seconds with red sector.
Great Point Light (Nantucket Light)
Location: Northeast point of Nantucket Island
Nantucket, MA 508-228-5646 Accessibility: From May to October, the Trustees of Reservations present a daily natural history tour at Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge (phone: 508-228-5646). A naturalist guide leads participants on an over-sand vehicle tour through the salt marsh to learn about the geology, ecology, and history of the area and to climb the Great Point Lighthouse. The facility: U.S. Coast Guard active aid to navigation, leased to the Trustees of Reservations. Lighthouse built 1784. Light flashes white every five seconds.
Cape Poge Light (Cape Pogue Light)
Location: Chappaquiddick Island
Chappaquiddick Island, MA 508-627-7689 Accessibility: A 75-minute tour is available through the Trustees of Reservations (phone: 508-627-7689). Reservations are required. The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. The lighthouse may be open to the public periodically in summer to those with their own four-wheel drive vehicles. Check at the gatehouses. Property managed by Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, Chappaquiddick Island, Martha's Vineyard, MA; 508-627-9931. Lighthouse built 1893. Light flashes white every six seconds.
Sankaty Head Light
Location: East coast of Nantucket
Nantucket, MA Accessibility: The grounds are open to the public but the lighthouse is not. Reaching the lighthouse from the ferry requires a car or bicycle. The facility: Active Coast Guard aid to navigation. Lighthouse built 1850. Light flashes white every 7.5 seconds.
East Chop Light
Location: East side of Vineyard Haven entrance, Martha's Vineyard
Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard, MA 508-627-4441 Accessibility: Sunset tours are offered on Sundays from mid-June to mid-September. Tours are available from 90 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after. Contact the Martha's Vineyard Historical Society for details. The facility: Active Coast Guard aid to navigation. Maintained by Martha's Vineyard Historical Society, Box 827, Edgartown, Massachusetts 02539; phone: 508-627-4441. Lighthouse built 1878. Light is a three-second green flash alternating with three seconds of darkness.
Tarpaulin Cove Light
Location: Naushon Island (Elizabeth Islands)
Naushon Island, MA 508-971-0932 Accessibility: The lighthouse is not open to the public and is best seen by boat.The facility: Active Coast Guard aid to navigation. Managed by Cuttyhunk Historical Society, PO Box 165, Cuttyhunk, MA 02713; phone: 508-971-0932 (summer). Lighthouse built 1891. Light flashes white every six seconds.
Wing's Neck Light
Location: East side of Buzzards Bay
Pocasset (Bourne), MA 508-460-0506 Accessibility: The lighthouse and grounds are not open to the public. It is best seen by boat. The facility: The lighthouse is available for rent. Contact Wing's Neck Lighthouse Trust at 508-460-0506. Lighthouse built 1890.
West Dennis Light at the Lighthouse Inn
On Lighthouse Inn Road
1 Lighthouse Inn Road West Dennis, MA Accessibility:The lighthouse, built in 1855, is now part of the Lighthouse Inn, operating spring through fall.
The facility: The light went into service in April 1855, with a fifth-order Fresnel lens, but it was extinguished in 1914, when it was deemed unnecessary. The property was sold to the Harry K. Noyes family and used as a summer home. In 1938, State Senator Everett Stone bought the property as a home and he and his wife entertained overnight guests at the lighthouse so often they opened it to the public as the Lighthouse Inn. In the summer of 1989 the Stone family had the lighthouse re-lighted as a seasonal aid to navigation. It was officially designated West Dennis Light and it operates each summer.
The facility: The light went into service in April 1855, with a fifth-order Fresnel lens, but it was extinguished in 1914, when it was deemed unnecessary. The property was sold to the Harry K. Noyes family and used as a summer home. In 1938, State Senator Everett Stone bought the property as a home and he and his wife entertained overnight guests at the lighthouse so often they opened it to the public as the Lighthouse Inn. In the summer of 1989 the Stone family had the lighthouse re-lighted as a seasonal aid to navigation. It was officially designated West Dennis Light and it operates each summer.