Cape Cod is full of idyllic seaside towns, and its many lighthouses only add to its maritime essence. Adorned with striking colors and bright lights, many of them are still navigational aids for nautical traffic. Let’s take a look at the Cape Cod lighthouses that you could see during your Cape adventures.
During your tour of the Cape Cod lighthouses, you can refer to this map provided by the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce which shows the locations of the lighthouses.
History of Cape Cod Lighthouses
Historically, lighthouses have played a crucial role in maritime communication and navigation. Acting as traffic signals and hazard warnings for sea captains, they emit light from their summits to guide ships safely. Lighthouses have been pivotal for seafaring communication since as early as 280 B.C., though the first lighthouse on Cape Cod was constructed in 1797. As the nation expanded along the coast, the number of lighthouses increased.
With technological advancements, the reliance on lighthouses gradually diminished as new methods of communication between sea and shore emerged. Today, these towers still stand tall in coastal towns, serving as historical monuments. On Cape Cod, they enrich the area’s history and are popular attractions for both locals and visitors.
Lighthouses Along the Upper Cape
Nobska Light
A cherished landmark in Cape Cod’s Woods Hole, Nobska Light in Falmouth was constructed in 1876 at the junction of the Nantucket and Vineyard Sounds. The 40-foot cast-iron tower was accompanied by a keeper’s house, with a second house added in 1905 and later connected to the original.
When Nobska Light was automated in 1985, it became the residence of a U.S. Coast Guard Commander. The last commander vacated the property in 2013, but the lighthouse has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1987.
In 2017, the Friends of Nobska Light and the Town of Falmouth assumed responsibility for the tower’s preservation. They renovated the keeper’s house into a Maritime Museum, and tours are offered from late spring through fall.
Wings Neck Lighthouse
Located at the tip of Wings Neck Point in Bourne, the Wings Neck Lighthouse extends into Buzzards Bay. The original lighthouse tower was constructed in 1849 and rebuilt in 1889 following a fire and subsequent disrepair. The keeper’s house replaced an older Cape-style residence.
Historically, this Cape Cod lighthouse played a crucial role in guiding ships in and out of the harbor. In 1947, the government sold the property to Frank and Irene Flanagan, who enjoyed their retirement there until 1999.
Since then, the keeper’s house has undergone extensive renovations. With a weekly rental, visitors can ascend the spiral staircase and ladder to the top of Wings Neck Lighthouse, where the light was once housed. Alternatively, the lighthouse is best viewed from boat tours, such as Cape Cod whale watching excursions.
Mid Cape Cod Lighthouses for Photos & Tours
Sandy Neck Lighthouse
Situated at the entrance of Barnstable Harbor, Sandy Neck Lighthouse was initially constructed in 1826 to support the thriving fishing and whaling industries. The original wooden tower was replaced by the current brick structure in 1857.
A Victorian-style keeper’s house was added in 1880. Then, in 1887, the lighthouse required reinforcement due to a crack. It remained operational until 1931, when it was decommissioned due to a decline in maritime traffic.
In 2007, a new lantern was installed, and Sandy Neck Lighthouse now serves as a private navigational aid, emitting a flashing green light. While the privately owned tower is not open for climbing, numerous boat tours and charters provide excellent views as they pass by.
Hyannis Rear Range Light
Also known as the South Hyannis Lighthouse, the Hyannis Rear Range Light was constructed in 1849. Standing at only 20 feet tall, it is shorter than most lighthouses because its primary role was to guide ships into the wharf. A keeper’s house, completed in 1851, was connected to the tower by a covered walkway.
With the decline in maritime traffic in the early 1900s, the Hyannis Rear Range Light was decommissioned in 1929 and subsequently sold into private ownership. The lantern was not replaced until 1986 for private use. You can view the tower from the end of Harbor Road.
Hyannis Harbor Light (Lewis Bay Light)
Originally known as Lewis Bay Light, this lighthouse is now called Hyannis Harbor Light. As Hyannis developed into a bustling commercial and fishing hub in the early to mid-1800s, this conical brick tower was constructed and became operational in 1849. The light was upgraded in the 1850s and again in the 1860s.
Since 1985, Hyannis Harbor Light has been privately owned by Alan Granby and Janice Hyland. They have renovated the keeper’s house and meticulously maintain the tower, ensuring it remains in excellent condition. Its strategic location offers numerous vantage points along the shoreline for capturing stunning photographs.
Bass River Lighthouse
Constructed as part of a large keeper’s house in 1855, Bass River Lighthouse in West Dennis was among the last lighthouses built on Cape Cod. It replaced a lantern in an attic window, ensuring safe navigation for packet and fishing fleets.
The light was extinguished in 1880 but reactivated in 1881, continuing to operate until 1914. In 1933, a private owner expanded the keeper’s house, eventually converting it into an inn. The lighthouse was relit in 1989 and continues to shine when the inn is open. You can enjoy a great view of the tower from Lighthouse Inn Road and the nearby beach.
Lighthouse Locations in the Lower Cape
Stage Harbor Light
Located on Harding’s Beach in West Chatham, Stage Harbor Light, also known as Harding’s Beach Lighthouse, stands as one of the area’s most iconic landmarks and one of the youngest lighthouses on Cape Cod.
The tower was built in 1880 but was deactivated in 1933, just 53 years later. Since then, private owners have made various cosmetic and functional updates to the tower. Despite these changes, it continues to be a popular subject for photographers.
While special permission is required to visit Stage Harbor Light, you can still capture beautiful photos from the beach. Just remember to respect the privacy of the residence.
Chatham Lighthouse
The light station in East Chatham was originally established in 1808 with two wooden towers, which were replaced in 1841. In 1877, two new cast-iron towers were constructed, known as the Twin Lights.
After one of the towers was relocated to Eastham in 1923 and renamed Nauset Lighthouse, the remaining tower became known as Chatham Lighthouse. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 and continues to operate as a U.S. Coast Guard station.
Chatham Lighthouse was prominently featured in the 2016 film “The Finest Hours,” which depicts the rescue of the SS Pendleton. You can view and photograph the lighthouse from the nearby beach or on boat tours.
Monomoy Point Lighthouse
Established in 1823 with a wooden tower atop a keeper’s house, the current Monomoy Point Lighthouse was constructed in 1849 using cast iron. The lighthouse was deactivated in 1923 due to the redirection of maritime traffic through the Cape Cod Canal.
In 1979, Monomoy Point Lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the few Cape Cod lighthouses situated on an island and the only one within the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. You can take a ferry to the north side of the island and hike to the lighthouse for photographs. Alternatively, you can view the tower from Cape Cod seal tours.
Outer Cape Cod Lighthouse Tour & Photo Opportunities
Three Sisters Lighthouses
Located in Eastham within the Cape Cod National Seashore, the Three Sisters Lighthouses boast one of the most intriguing histories among Cape Cod lighthouses. Originally, three structures were built to simultaneously project three lights, helping ships pinpoint their exact location long before modern navigation technology. The current decommissioned towers were constructed in 1892 after the original ones were lost to coastal erosion.
In 1911, the central lighthouse was relocated and attached to an 1875 keeper’s house, continuing to serve for many years before being replaced. Since 1989, the three towers have been reunited, albeit not in their original positions. While you cannot enter the lighthouses, you can visit the property and explore the grounds.
Nauset Light
The story of the Three Sisters Lighthouses blends into Nauset Light, which replaced the central tower of the trio. Originally constructed in 1877 in Chatham as part of the Twin Lights, this cast-iron tower with a brick lining was later moved to its current location.
Standing at 48 feet tall, Nauset Light is one of Cape Cod’s most photographed landmarks and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can enjoy free open-house-style tours, climb the lighthouse, visit the lookout room, and delve into its rich history.
Highland Light
Situated in Truro, Highland Light is one of Cape Cod’s most beloved landmarks. Originally commissioned by George Washington, the first lighthouse was established in 1797. The current 66-foot brick tower and keeper’s house were constructed in 1857.
When not undergoing structural repairs, Highland Light is open for tours. The keeper’s house hosts exhibits detailing the lighthouse’s history and includes a gift shop offering souvenirs. Also, visitors can capture stunning photographs of this historic site.
Race Point Light Station
Located at the outermost tip of Cape Cod in Provincetown, Race Point Light Station was initially established in 1816. The existing tower, however, dates back to 1876. The site also features the original 1876 keeper’s house, a signal building from 1874, and an oil house built in 1902.
Accessible by foot or with a four-wheel-drive vehicle, Race Point Light remains an active navigational aid. It is open for tours on the first and third Saturdays of each month from June through October.
Wood End Lighthouse
Near the mouth of Cape Cod Bay in Provincetown, you’ll find Wood End Lighthouse, which was lit for the first time in 1872. The 39-foot tower is square and shaped like a pyramid. The original keeper’s dwelling was replaced in 1896 with a new house, oil house, and storage shed.
In 1981, the U.S. Coast Guard turned the tower into the first solar power light station in Massachusetts. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. You can hike to the historic lighthouse via the Provincetown Causeway (or the “jetty”) or take a boat or ferry ride to capture photos.
Long Point Lighthouse
Identical to Wood End Light, Long Point Lighthouse stands at the tip of Cape Cod’s curl and was constructed in 1875. Solar-powered, it serves as a beacon marking the entrance to Provincetown Harbor. Next to the lighthouse is a 1904 oil house.
Visitors can reach Long Point Lighthouse by walking along the Provincetown Causeway or by taking a ferry from Provincetown’s MacMillan Pier. The well-marked trail forms a 6.4-mile loop that also includes Wood End Light, with part of the path running along Long Point Beach.
Experience a Historic Bed & Breakfast Stay on Cape Cod
For a convenient starting point to explore Cape Cod’s lighthouses, consider staying at Candleberry Inn. Nestled in Brewster along the picturesque Route 6A, this historic bed and breakfast is ideal for a romantic getaway or for capturing the most Instagram-worthy spots on the Cape.
Each of our elegant rooms and suites features a unique theme, such as The Highlands Room and the Seacroft Suite. Every morning, guests are treated to a sumptuous gourmet breakfast. Check our availability and rates for your upcoming Cape Cod visit.
