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Open Lighthouse Day
The U.S. Coast Guard, the State of Maine and the American Lighthouse Foundation are pleased to announce the fourth annual Maine Open Lighthouse Day.
Last year, hundreds of people visited lighthouses along the Maine coast in the largest effort of its kind in the nation. This year we expect another fun family event.
The partnership with the Coast Guard, State of Maine and American Lighthouse Foundation is intended to increase awareness of Maine’s maritime heritage and the rich history of its lighthouses and lighthouse keepers.
Boat Excursions
Some lighthouses are only accessible by boat. The following companies provide excursions:
- Sea Venture Custom Boat Tours
- Downeast Coastal Cruises
- Monhegan Boat line
- Matinicus Excursions
- Mid Maine Water Taxi
- Robertson Sea Tours
Participating Lighthouses (from 2012)
(all will be open 9:00 am to 3:00 pm unless otherwise noted)
Brown's Head Lighthouse – Vinalhaven Island (offshore). Historic buildings open: Light tower only. The tower contains a Fresnel lens, a remarkable, 19th-century invention that allows lights to project their beams far out to sea. How to get there: Maine State Ferry from Rockland to Vinalhaven
Burnt Coat Harbor Lighthouse – Swan’s Island (offshore). Historic buildings open: Light tower and keeper’s house. How to get there: Maine State Ferry from Bass Harbor to Swan’s Island.
Burnt Island Lighthouse – entrance to Boothbay Harbor (offshore). Historic buildings open: Light tower and keeper’s house (Living-history museum inside). How to get there: Balmy Days Cruises, Boothbay Harbor.
Curtis Island Lighthouse – entrance to Camden Harbor (offshore). Historic buildings open: Light tower only. How to get there: Boat
Doubling Point Lighthouse – Arrowsic (land-based). Historic buildings open: Light tower only.
Dyce Head Lighthouse – Castine (land-based). Historic buildings open: Light tower only.
Fort Point Lighthouse - Cape Jellison near Stockton Springs (land-based). Historic buildings open: Light tower (contains a Fresnel lens) and bell tower (exhibits inside).
Grindle Point Lighthouse – Islesboro (offshore). Historic buildings open: Light tower and keeper’s house (museum inside). How to get there: Maine State Ferry from Lincolnville to the island of Islesboro.
Kennebec River Range Lights (two towers) – Arrowsic (land-based). Historic buildings open: Front and Rear Range light towers only.
Little River Lighthouse – entrance to Cutler Harbor (offshore) 9 a.m. to noon. Live music at the site. Historic buildings open: Light tower, boathouse and keeper’s house (furnished for overnight stays). How to get there: Friends of Little River Lighthouse boats leave from Town of Cutler Boat Landing.
Marshall Point Lighthouse – Port Clyde (land-based). Historic buildings open: Light tower and keeper’s house (Museum inside)
Monhegan Island Lighthouse – Monhegan Island (offshore) 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Historic buildings open: Light tower and keeper’s house (museum inside). How to get there: Boats from Port Clyde, New Harbor and Boothbay Harbor. Monhegan Boat Line. Hardy Boat Cruises. Balmy Days Cruises.
Owls Head Lighthouse – Owls Head (land-based). Historic buildings open: Light tower only. Contains a Fresnel lens.
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse – Bristol (land-based). Historic buildings open: Light tower (contains a Fresnel lens) and keeper’s house (museum inside).
Portland Breakwater Lighthouse (Bug Light) – South Portland (land-based). Historic buildings open: Light tower only.
Portland Head Lighthouse – Cape Elizabeth (land-based). Historic buildings open: Light tower and keeper’s house (museum inside). Note: On Open Lighthouse Day, approximately 300 tickets will be made available to visitors on a first-come-first-served basis. A ticket will be required to climb the tower. You must be at least 48 inches tall to climb the tower. Visitors must be able to climb 85+ steps unassisted.
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse – Rockland (land-based via a breakwater). Historic buildings open: Light tower and keeper’s house.
Seguin Island Lighthouse – Off Popham Beach (offshore). Historic buildings open: Light tower and keeper’s house (furnished for overnight member stays). How to get there: Seguin Island Ferry by Fish’N’Trip Charters.
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse – South Portland (land-based via a breakwater). Historic buildings open: Light tower.
West Quoddy Head Lighthouse – Lubec (land-based). Historic buildings open: Light tower (contains a Fresnel lens) and keeper’s house (museum inside).
Whitehead Lighthouse – Entrance to Penobscot Bay, Whitehead Island (offshore). Historic buildings open 11 AM - 3PM: Light tower, keeper's house, whistle house and schoolhouse. How to get there: Whitehead Light Station boat. Complementary transportation available from Sprucehead. Please call (207) 200-7957 or email info@whiteheadlightstation.org to rsvp.
Wood Island Lighthouse – Biddeford Pool (offshore). Historic buildings open: Light tower and keeper’s house. How to get there: Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse boats (reservations required). www.woodislandlighthouse.org For reservations, call (207) 200-4552, Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Other Lighthouse Attractions:
Maine Lighthouse Museum - Rockland
Media Contacts:
United States Coast Guard
First District Public Affairs
(617) 223-8515
Kevin Gove
On behalf of the Maine Office of Tourism
(207) 623-4177
Bob Trapani, Executive Director
American Lighthouse Foundation
(207) 594-4174
Other Maine Lighthouse Links
Disclaimer: Transportation to the lighthouses will not be provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, Office of Tourism or American Lighthouse Foundation. Visitors must find their own transportation to get to the lighthouses.
