Maine rugged coastline is home to more than 60 lighthouses. Maine’s oldest light is the Portland Head Light, pictured above. This light was commissioned by none other than George Washington in 1791. Lighthouses have been used for hundreds of years to guide sailor’s safety into shore. Many lighthouses are being kept up by townships with the help of dedicated individuals. Some of the lights are open to the public and might have a museum to visit. While other lights are privately owned. Maine is hosting an ‘Open to the Public Day’ for anyone interested in seeing the lights. This year’s date is September 14th, for more information their website is Lighthouse foundation. Since my family loves the ocean and anything to do with it, checking out lighthouses along Maine’s mid-coast region was something right up our alley.
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
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The Pemaquid Light is located at the entrance to Muscongus Bay and Johns Bay in Bristol, Maine. In addition, this light is on the National Register of Historic Places. There is a $3.00 fee to enter the park which also allows you to see the light and go into the museum. The museum is rich in maritime artifacts with old maps, buoys, fishing nets and lights. We had a short tour from one of the historians and thus learned about the history of the light and the town.
Fresnel lens up in the lighthouse Museum artifacts
Curtis Island Lighthouse
Seeing Curtis Island Lighthouse was a bonus for us. The island is in Camden Harbor and on our Kayaking Adventure we stopped on the island for a rest. We were able to go into this light as well as see a different light/lamp. Thus educating us even more on the modern working lighthouse. To go out to Curtis Island you can hire a boat or rent a kayak or canoe. Since it’s a bit of a ‘paddle’ out to the island plan on packing a lunch to enjoy the surrounding scenery. If you bring kids, be sure to let them enjoy the swing on the path over to the lighthouse.
Looking through the light The view of the ocean from Curtis Island
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Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse
After our kayaking trip, we headed over to Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. If you try and look up this lighthouse on any GPS app it will show that it is offshore. It is and it isn’t. The breakwater is a walkway of stone you use to reach the lighthouse. Be careful though there are many places with big gaps between the stones. According to my girls, it was a great lighthouse because they got to run (most of the way) out to it. Of course, it’s hard to run a mile when you are in flip flops and running on stones. But they still had fun.
It was a real treat to see these harbor porpoises on our walk back to shore. The girls couldn’t get over how close they were to the rocks. It is super special anytime you can see animals in the wild habitat.
Owls Head Lighthouse
Owls Head Lighthouse is only 26 feet tall, which is pretty short to be a beacon for sailors. In fact, one gentleman we met during our visit said: “I’ve never seen a lighthouse so short!” However, it stands high on a cliff 100 feet above Penobscot Bay allowing it’s light to show for miles. I have to admit the scenery around this light is beautiful. It wasn’t open for us to explore the day we visited. However, we did walk the paths around the light and saw some very rugged coastline which was fun.
Marshall Point Lighthouse
Marshall Point Lighthouse which sits at the tip of the entrance of Port Clyde Harbor is one of my favorites. I love the walkway up to the light as well as the rocky shoreline around it. We visited during low tide so we were able to explore all the rocks around this light. The girls like to see how many different types of rocks they can find. Evelyn preceded to tell me about the lava flow and how Maine coastline was formed. It’s so great when your 11-year-old knows more than you. I love that she is interested in science and history. I think if we had brought a picnic dinner we would have stayed longer, it was so peaceful at this inlet.
Cool reflection in the tide pool up the gangplank to the light
Grindle Point Lighthouse
Yes, you can see the clouds forming in this picture. We took the ferry from Lincolnville where we played on the beach all morning and had a picnic lunch. We intended to be on Islesboro Island for an hour exploring and hiking around. However, the rain came about 10 minutes after we got off the ferry. We had already gone up the light so we decided just to go back to the mainland. In addition, we spoke to the caretakers of the museum and light. They enjoyed talking with Evelyn all about lighthouses. It is a beautiful island therefore next time we will stay longer.
The new light The old light
Fort Point Lighthouse
After it rained at the Grindle Point light, the skies cleared. The next lighthouse we explored was Fort Point Lighthouse. However, as you can see the rain wasn’t finished. It came down hard and we all got soaked but we laughed about it back in the car. After only a few minutes though the storm cleared and again we were back to blue skies. This light is located in Fort Port State Park and thus is open to the public. The light, on the other hand, is privately owned. This light is on the National Register of Historic Places.
With the storm clouds leaving Without any storm clouds
Dice Head Lighthouse
The Dice Head Lighthouse located in Castine, Maine is certainly the most interesting light to me. It is high above the water but is shielded from view by trees. At least from the lighthouse, it seems that way. I would love to see this light from the water. I’m certain it shines bright but standing next to the light, it’s hard to imagine you can see it at all. Since there is a footpath down to the rocks and shoreline, we explored. The girls love to see if they can get to the water every chance they can. Of course, the scenery from the shoreline was again beautiful.
Bass Harbor Lighthouse
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is in Acadia National Park. My family spent 4 days enjoying Acadia park and all it has to offer. In my post on the flora and fauna of Acadia, there is a picture of a crab stuck between rocks. That picture was taken on these rocks. We visited this light twice during our time in the park. Once during the day and once at sunset. During the summer months, the park can be crowded but I still managed to get this great photo. Unfortunately, we couldn’t go in this light. The most interesting thing about this light is that it has a red light. All the other lighthouses we visited have white lights. Be sure to wear sneakers to climb down on these rocks.
I hope you have enjoyed our trip around Maine’s mid-coast lighthouses. I hope I have inspired you to go explore lighthouses in Maine and elsewhere. Don’t forget to check here for Maine’s Open Lighthouse Day they celebrate every September. Check out what lights will be open.
Have you been inside any lighthouses? Which one(s)?
Wow! Incredible info for planning even down to the costs. Thank you for putting this together. I have been wanting to go to Maine for quite some time! Will definitely be using this as a guide 😊
I’m glad to help. Let me know if you have any questions.
This is a great guide to the lighthouses! Thank you!
I hope you get to visit them. It’s a great area.
Love this! Maine is the one state we didn’t get to when we lived in NY (it was only for a year) so I must get back someday. Excellent guide to the lighthouses!
I’m sure you would love the lighthouses in Maine, Pam.
I’m not sure why, but I love lighthouse pictures! I’ve never been in one, but they just seem fascinating! (and they always make me think of the movie Pete’s Dragon, lol)
I haven’t seen that movie but it sounds like one I should see. Lighthouses are magical any way you look at them.
I’ve been to Maine one time, and that was to climb the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Of course, Katahdin in Baxter State Park was no where near the coast, so I see that I MUST plan a return trip to see Maine’s lighthouses!
Although Katahdin and Baxter State Park are beautiful as well. If you come back for the lighthouses you should also add Acadia National Park. I’m sure you will love it.
What a beautiful collection. There is something very special about lighthouses, this inspired me to come to Maine and see them.
You’re right Manuelle, lighthouses are very special. I think it’s the connection with the sea and somehow an olden time.
Wow! We have a lot of lighthouses here in Florida, but this is a real bonanza! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
And it’s only mid-coast lighthouses that we saw. There are so many more. I think it’s easy to understand why when you see Maine’s coastline.
Wow, Maine is gorgeous! I would love to see all of those lighthouses
I love how unique they all are and yes, Maine is spectacular.
I am thinking of doing this exact trip! Thank you for the tips!
I’m sure you will have a great time. We loved seeing all the lighthouses.
awesome! These are just great!!!
Thanks, Jen.
There is just something about lighthouses that’s kind of magical. I love how they all have the same function, but they are also so different! Thanks for sharing!
So very true, Lori.
I LOVE lighthouses and have always wanted to visit Maine! This is giving me so much wanderlust!
I’m sure you will love it when you get there.
Maine is so beautiful- love these photos and lighthouses you captured…so very charming.
Thanks so much.
Interesting range of lighthouses
Yes, they are all so different
I lived in Maine for a year and sailed back and forth in front of the Rockland breakwater all of the time. Owls Head is one of my favorites and for all I did see, I still didn’t get to all of them! The lighthouses are certainly fun to visit.
Yes, the lighthouses are fun to see and explore. I would love to live in Maine just for the summer though.
When we lived in Michigan, my goal was to visit all the lighthouses. I have guides and books to keep track. Makes me miss being able to complete. Maybe someday. FYI, we have a puzzle of your top pic.
The first picture is the Portland Lighthouse. I didn’t even write about that one since it’s farther south. I took that picture in the summer of 2015.
I had no idea Maine had so many lighthouses. Wow. They are always so pretty to capture on camera too
Yes, Maine has a ton of lighthouses. They do make very pretty photos.
Maine is beautiful country! I love the lighthouses and you were so thorough and informative in this post!
Thanks so much, Courtney. I hope it helps if you plan a trip to Maine.
Wow! You compiled quite the list of lighthouses! We were lucky enough to visit Maine twice last year and visited several of the ones on your list…looks like we need to go back to finish it up!
That’s so cool. I’m sure you enjoyed visited the lighthouses as much as we did.
Lighthouse hopping! Great views and interesting history. I love the coastline ones
Yes, the history of each one is very unique.
I have not been inside a light house. Looks cool. I would like to visit one.
I’m sure you will love going into a lighthouse, Missy. It is a very cool view.
I love all the lighthouses in New England. There are so many and so unique.
You’re right. All along the coast, you can find unique lighthouses.
Ugh! I have such a love affair with Maine! Your posts make me want to go so much more. I hope we get there this year. Lighthouses are my favorite.
Yes, Maine is such a special place.
I am so bummed we didn’t make a point to see more lighthouses when we were in Maine. Guess we’ll have to go back for another visit!
It sounds like the perfect excuse to visit Maine again.
Being from Michigan, we love to visit lighthouses! I love the history behind them and that they are still used to this day. I highly recommend the book “Hello Lighthouse.” My kids love it!
I absolutely agree with you, Trisha. I love the history behind the lighthouses as well. I will check out that book. Thanks.
I hope to visit Maine someday! I hear it is so beautiful and your pictures really show the beauty of the coastline. I’ll have to make sure we add lighthouses to our future trip.
Maine is a super special place to visit and you should certainly add the lighthouses into your visit. You won’t be disappointed.