Lighthouse Tour

Visit all of the Midcoast’s shore sentinels in a single day!

Among Maine’s top attractions are its magnificent lighthouses. Seven of Maine’s 60 are in the Midcoast—including Curtis Island Light in Camden Harbor, and Indian Head Light off Rockport. While these two happen to be offshore, other nearby lights offer easier access—including the popular Rockland Breakwater Light. Not all, however, are easy to spot. So follow our tour, and see how many you can visit in a day. To get you started, here is some background (and trivia) on our three closest lighthouses.

Curtis Island Light

Commissioned in 1836 by President Andrew Jackson, this 25-foot round brick tower and its red-roofed keeper’s house are now owned and maintained by the Town of Camden as an off-shore park. The lighthouse’s original beacon was removed, and it was automated in 1972, though lighthouse keepers still reside there. The island is open to the public. Local charter boats can help, or paddle across Camden Harbor in a kayak or canoe.

Trivia: Originally known as Negro Island, the island’s name was changed in 1934 to honor the memory of Cyrus H. Curtis, the publisher of The Saturday Evening Post, who was a Camden summer resident.

Indian Island Light

Built in 1850 and operated until 1934, the square brick tower and attached keeper’s house of this island light are now privately owned. Although the light has been dismantled and the island is no longer open to the public, you can spot the lighthouse from Marine Park in Rockport.

Trivia: Indian Island reputedly got its name after Native Americans sought safety there during the French and Indian War.

Rockland Breakwater Light
Just south of Rockport, this popular light and attached keeper’s house sits on the end of a stunning 7/8-mile breakwater that was completed in 1899 to protect the nearby village from storms. Problem was, the rocks themselves became a hazard to ships, so the lighthouse was added in 1902. Crossing the massive granite stones to get there is as close as most people will come to walking on water. Enjoy sunset from one of the benches on the deck of the keeper’s house while gulls swoop the sun-drenched waters of Penobscot Bay and Rockland Harbor.

Trivia: It took 768,774 tons of stone to complete the breakwater.

If you are feeling more adventurous after visiting our three closest lighthouse, add these lights to your tour:

Grindle Point Light—Islesboro

Take the ferry from Lincolnville Beach to Islesboro. The lighthouse is next to the ferry landing on the island.

Owls Head Light—Owls Head

From Rt. 1 just southwest of Rockland, turn onto Rt. 73 and go about two miles. Turn left onto North Shore Dr. Turn left onto Main St. and go past the Post Office. Turn left onto Lighthouse Rd.

Marshall Point Light—Port Clyde

From Rt. 1 at northeastern end of Thomaston, turn onto Rt. 131. Go down the peninsula through St. George and Tenants Harbor and continue to Port Clyde. Look for Marshall Point sign. Turn right onto Marshall Point Rd.

Pemaquid Point Light
From Main St. in Damariscotta, turn onto Rt. 129/130. When road forks, take Rt. 130 and continue to end. Go left through gate.