New England Island Lighthouses You Can Visit
This content may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our disclaimer.
New England has plenty of lighthouses to check out, but did you know there are a lot on islands that you can visit? While lighthouses on islands take a bit more planning to visit, it’s part of what makes it an adventure! Below are some island lighthouses to visit in New England.
Great Captain Island Lighthouse
Want to Save This Post?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, you'll get more great travel guides.
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Daily Life Travels
Great Captain Island Lighthouse sits on an island not far off the shore of Greenwich, Connecticut. The island is accessible via a ferry that is operated by the Town of Greenwich. Once the ferry drops you off on the island, you will need to head to the opposite side of the island to visit the lighthouse. You can’t tour the lighthouse, but it’s still worth a visit!
Learn more about visiting the island: Visiting Great Captain Island in Connecticut
Sheffield Island Lighthouse
You might be thinking to yourself, “This looks just like the lighthouse above.” They look the same because they share the same architectural design! Much like Great Captain Island Lighthouse, Sheffield Island Lighthouse is accessible via a ferry. The ferry is run by the Norwalk Seaport Association and it leaves from South Norwalk, Connecticut. You’ll be able to tour the lighthouse during your visit.
Learn more about visiting the island: Visiting Sheffield Island Lighthouse in Norwalk, CT
Rose Island Lighthouse
Rose Island is an island off the coast of Newport, Rhode Island that features a beautiful New England lighthouse you can not only visit, but also stay in! While I’ve never stayed overnight, I have visited the island and toured inside the lighthouse on a day trip. I went in the winter on Save The Bay’s Seal and Lighthouse Cruise, but you can also take the Jamestown-Newport Ferry to Rose Island.
Learn more about visiting the island: Visiting Rose Island in Rhode Island
Prudence island Lighthouse
Prudence Island is an undeveloped, residential island in Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island. The island features a historic lighthouse that you can view, but you can’t tour the inside. To get to the island, you’ll take the Prudence Island Ferry, which leaves from Bristol, Rhode Island. I highly recommend bringing a car with you for your visit to be able to fully explore the island.
Learn more about visiting the island: Visiting Prudence Island in Rhode Island
Pomham Rocks Lighthouse
Pomham Rocks Lighthouse sits on a small island in the Providence River just south of Providence, Rhode Island. Trips out to the island are done by the Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse. You’ll take a small boat from Cranston, Rhode Island to the island and get a guided tour of the lighthouse during your visit.
Learn more about visiting: Visiting Pomham Rocks Lighthouse in Rhode Island
Monhegan Island Light
If you’re looking for a unique island experience, Monhegan Island off the coast of Maine is a great spot for a laid-back lighthouse getaway. There are a couple of different options for getting out to the island. When I went, I took the Monhegan Boat Line from Port Clyde. The lighthouse on features a museum inside the lightkeeper’s house, but you can’t access the tower.
Learn more about visiting the island: Visiting Monhegan Island in Maine
Block Island North Light
Block Island is accessible via ferries that leave from multiple states (Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island). Getting to North Light on Block Island is a bit of a walk, but it’s worth it! From the parking area, it is about a 20-minute walk on the beach to get to the lighthouse. During your walk, you’re sure to see some coastal birds and maybe even some seals. There is an interpretive center at the lighthouse, but there’s no access to the actual tower.
Discover more things to do on the island: 10+ Ideas For A Block Island Day Trip
Block Island Southeast Light
Southeast Lighthouse is the other lighthouse on Block Island. This lighthouse doesn’t require a long trek to access like Block Island North Light does. You can take tours of the lighthouse seasonally. There are also some great views from the spot where this lighthouse is located.
Cape Ann Light Station
Cape Ann Light Station consists of two lighthouses on Thacher Island off the coast of Rockport, Massachusetts. Trips out to the island are provided by the Thacher & Straitsmouth Islands Association. During your trip, you’ll be able to climb one of the two lighthouses on the island.
Learn more about visiting the island: Visiting Thacher Island
Straitmouth Island Light Station
While this island is only about 500 feet off the coast of Rockport, Massachusetts, you still need a boat to access the island. The island has one primary trail and lots of birds to see, making it a great spot for birding in addition to a lighthouse adventure. Trips out to the island are provided by the Thacher & Straitsmouth Islands Association, just like the lighthouse above.
