The Maine Beaches Visitor Guide 2019 Visitor's Guide to The Maine Beaches | Page 12

Wood Island Lighthouse
Nubble Light
Whaleback Light
Goat Island
LIGHTHOUSES
Long after you
return home, these
majestic landmarks
will stay with you
as a uniquely
Maine experience.
Since the birth of our nation, virtually every stretch of Maine’s coastline offered a
protective beam to passing ships. Lighthouse keepers would keep the light on for
the safety of these ships at their own peril (and sometimes that of their family).
Fortunately, the days of the manned lighthouse are all but gone, but the protective
beacons continue to shine on through automation, alerting commercial and pleasure
boaters of the danger that lies in wait should they come too close.
Today, these distinctive, sometimes even cheery buildings hold a special place in the
heart of those who come to the Maine Beaches. One in particular, Cape Neddick’s
Nubble Light, is considered to be the most widely photographed lighthouse in the
world, being hash-tagged in various ways—all including “nubble”—more than 35,000
times in a recent Instagram search.
Each and every Maine Beaches lighthouse is visible from land (weather permitting).
Boon Island is a stretch, but you can see it from the crest of Mount Agamenticus.
Kittery’s Fort Foster, with its trails, beaches and long boardwalk, offers a view of
Whaleback Light, which marks the mouth of the Piscataqua River. We invite you
to find ways to get up close, perhaps by boat or sea kayak, or take an even closer
look on Maine Open Lighthouse Day.
Maine Open Lighthouse Day is celebrated statewide every year on the second
Saturday of September. This special day offers visitors to our coast the opportunity
to explore more and learn about the important role the lighthouses have played
throughout our state’s history. Several Maine Beaches area lighthouses will be open
for a visit, including Goat Island Lighthouse and Wood Island Lighthouse.
Want to expand your lighthouse tour? There are several lighthouses in neighboring
Portland, including the stately Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, Spring Point
Ledge Light, which sits at the end of a rocky breakwater, and tiny Bug Light, located
at the northern terminus of the 65-mile long Eastern Trail (which starts in Kittery).
Long after you return home, these majestic landmarks will stay with you as a uniquely
Maine experience. Be sure to visit at least one while you’re here, whether as part of a
scenic drive along the shore, by boat excursion, or picnicking at Sohier Park in York
with its picture perfect view of the Nubble.
LIGHTHOUSES OF
THE MAINE BEACHES:
Whaleback
Boon Island
Nubble Light
Goat Island
Wood Island
For more about our lighthouses check out the chart on the next page
or visit TheMaineBeaches.com or LighthouseFriends.com/me.html.
Nubble Light
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A TheMaineBeaches C @ TheMaineBeaches # themainebeaches
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