Lighthouses You Don't Want To Miss in Cape Cod

Visiting Cape Cod lighthouses offers a glimpse into the region’s rich maritime history, with each lighthouse uniquely positioned to guide sailors along the rugged coastline. There are a variety of lighthouses to visit from the iconic Nauset Lighthouse, which is featured on the Cape Cod chips bag, to the smaller ones like Long Point Light Station at the very tip of The Cape. Visiting these historic structures is a great way to experience Cape Cod’s natural beauty and seafaring heritage.

A white lighthouse with a black top stands near a rustic wooden house under a partly cloudy sky. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Wood End Lighthouse

A solitary lighthouse stands amid dry grass and bushes under a clear blue sky. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Wood End lighthouse lies between Race Point and Long Point along the Cape Cod seashore. The lighthouse is accessible by foot via the Provincetown Causeway. It is one of three lighthouses you’ll find in Provincetown.

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Nobska Point Lighthouse

A white lighthouse with a black top stands next to a gray building with red roofs, surrounded by greenery and a cloudy sky in the background. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Nobska Point Lighthouse, built in 1828, stands as a beacon of maritime history, guiding ships through the waters between Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. Its scenic location offers panoramic views of Vineyard Sound and the surrounding coastal landscape, making it a popular spot for both history buffs and nature lovers.

Nauset Light

A red and white lighthouse with a black top stands against a clear blue sky, surrounded by trees and bushes. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Nauset Light, located in Eastham, is one of Cape Cod’s most iconic lighthouses, known for its distinctive red and white striped tower. This is lighthouse that is featured on the bags of Cape Cod chips. It has been guiding ships along the dangerous Outer Cape waters since 1923.

Highland Lighthouse

Highland Lighthouse, also known as Cape Cod Light, is the oldest lighthouse on Cape Cod. The original lighthouse was built in 1797 to guide ships around the Cape’s treacherous shores, but the current lighthouse was built in 1857.

Chatham Lighthouse

A white lighthouse stands next to a white building with a red roof labeled "U.S. Coast Guard" under a clear blue sky. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Chatham Light stands 48 feet tall and 80 feet above sea level. It is one of the few lighthouses in America that still operates 24 hours a day. Today, the lighthouse is an active duty Coast Guard Station, with a primary mission of Search & Rescue for the safety of the local fishing fleet and recreational boating community.

Long Point Light Station

A lighthouse and small building stand on a grassy dune beside a sandy path under a clear sky. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Long Point Light Station, located at the tip of Provincetown, marks the entrance to Provincetown Harbor and is one of Cape Cod’s more remote lighthouses. The lighthouse is accessible by boat or a very long hike via the Provincetown Causeway and the beach. It’s a peaceful spot for visitors seeking a more secluded lighthouse experience.

Race Point Light Station

A white lighthouse with a black top stands next to a white house with a red roof, surrounded by sandy dunes under a clear blue sky. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Race Point Light sits on a rugged stretch of Cape Cod’s Outer Cape, where the waters of the Atlantic meet the Cape Cod Bay. Originally built in 1816, it has been an essential guide for ships navigating the dangerous waters of the “Race,” the swift current between Cape Cod and the Massachusetts mainland. The lighthouse is accessible by a long walk down the beach or by driving with an off-road vehicle.

Three Sisters Lighthouse

Two white lighthouse towers stand in a snowy landscape with trees under a clear blue sky. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

The Three Sisters Lighthouses, located in Eastham, are a trio of small, distinctive beacons originally built in 1838 to guide ships safely along the Outer Cape. These charming towers, now part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, are placed in their original orientation on a plot of land on Cable Road.