Bear Island Lighthouse – Northeast Harbor, Maine

The Bear Island Lighthouse sits on an island on the entrance to Somes Sound on Mount desert Island, Maine. The lighthouse was built in 1839. After a period of neglect and deterioration it was purchased by the National Park Service in 1987 and has since been re-lit as a private aid to navigation. The lighthouse can be viewed from several places in Northeast Harbor, Maine but is best viewed from the water. We booked a cruise with Sea Princess cruises to Little Cranberry Island and went by the lighthouse with great views from the boat.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Check out our posts on Acadia National Park and Sea Princess Cruises for additional information.

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse – Acadia National Park

The Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse in Acadia National Park is a great photo opportunity if visiting the park. On a separate peninsula from the main section of the park it is still easily accessible with an ample parking area. Like so many of the lighthouses in Maine this is an image that has graced innumerable calendars throughout the years. To get the iconic image go to the left of the parking area past the lighthouse. There is a footpath to follow and when a good distance away head down to the rocky beach to snap the iconic photo.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The light was commissioned in 1876 and the grounds immediately around the lighthouse are accessible. The house itself is a private residence and not open to the public. There are no amenities at the site in regards to a museum, gift shop or visitor center. Worth the stop for a few photos and a quick stroll around the house.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Portland Head Light – Cape Elizabeth, Maine

The Portland Head Light is another one of the iconic lighthouses along the Maine coast, in fact it is the most photographed lighthouse in America. It is surrounded by Fort Williams Park which is a perfect place to have a picnic and enjoy a sunny day. The best view of the lighthouse is from the right side of the headland where you can get both the light tower and house framed by the ocean.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

To catch the view from the left side you will have to climb down to the rocks looking back up towards the lighthouse.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The first lighthouse on the sight was first lit in 1791 with several revisions and renovations taking place over the years. There is a fine little museum on site in the old keeper’s quarters and a small gift shop to the left of the lighthouse as you walk out to the point. I purchased my Lighthouse Handbook of New England here which has proven to be an invaluable resource.

Cape Neddick “Nubble” Lighthouse – York, Maine

Nubble Light on Cape Neddick in York, Maine is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country. Conveniently located in southern Maine the light viewing area is easily accessed just a few hours drive north of Boston. The town of York and southern Maine in general has numerous facilities for the traveler with hotels, restaurants and beach access just a few minutes from the lighthouse. The lighthouse itself is on an island separated by 50 meters of ocean from the mainland. It is not accessible to the public the only means of access being a chair slide across a zip line. But it is the view from across this short channel that draws the crowds. It is so picturesque you may even catch a wedding taking place with the lighthouse as the backdrop. The lighthouse viewing area is surrounded by Sohier Park which has a small welcome center and gift shop.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

There is a wide range of accommodations in the vicinity. My family stayed many times at the campground immediately across fro York Beach and there are many hotels in the area. York’s Wild Kingdom is a nice zoo right in town. The area is due for a much needed expansion but as of 2017 this has not yet been initiated. No trip to southern Maine is complete without a trip to the “Nubble”

Cruise – Little Cranberry Island with Sea Princess Cruises

Sea Princess is a small boat cruise line running out of Northeast Harbor Mount Desert Island, Maine. To get to the cruise port of departure follow the directions below:
From Bar Harbor:
•Take Route 233 west out of Bar Harbor
•Take a left on Route 198 south into Northeast Harbor.
•Follow signs to marina, town pier, and/or the Chamber of Commerce.
•Turn left onto Harbor Drive or Sea Street leading down to the marina.
•Free parking in large parking lot near the tennis courts.
•Buy Sea Princess tickets at the Visitor Center located beside the tennis courts.

From Ellsworth and points north:
•Take Route 3 South to Mount Desert Island. As you come over the bridge, bear right onto Route 198.
•Follow 198 to the traffic light in Somesville and turn left (continuing on 198).
•Follow Route 198 south into Northeast Harbor.
•Follow signs to marina, town pier, and/or the Chamber of Commerce.
•Turn left onto Harbor Drive or Sea Street leading down to the marina.
•Free parking in large parking lot near the tennis courts.
•Buy Sea Princess tickets at the Visitor Center located beside the tennis courts.
Your boat is small and open topped so even in summer it can be very cool on the water.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

As the boat makes its way to Little Cranberry Island you pass the Bear Island Lighthouse,

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

and see basking seals on rock ledges.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The highlight of the trip is a stop at Little Cranberry Island with its wonderful little fishing village. You pull up to a long wharf which is along side the working dock of the village. There are a number of cars parked by the dock probably used by the fishermen who are out to sea.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The small museum is a short stroll up from the dock. If your boat has a NPS ranger as your guide he will have the key to the museum and be able to open it up for exploration. If you are a passport to the National Park stamp collector be sure to ask the ranger for the unique passport stamp available in the museum.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

A slightly longer stroll will bring you up into the small village of Isleford. On your left you will pass the small church and on your right will be the general store. They usually open for the cruise docking and will have fresh baked pastry you can purchase as well as soft drinks and snacks.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

As you walk through the town you will see locals sitting on their front porch which could be a scene from just about anywhere in the country but then you think about the isolation and realize that this is a lifestyle few experience. Talk to the locals at the general store and try to get some understanding of what living on an island is really like.
Back on the boat for the trip back to Mount Desert Island keep your eyes open for the guilletmots a seabird in the Auk family as they frolic in the surf.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

A trip into Somes Sound finishes your short cruise home. Acadia National Park is a fantastic vacation destination and there is plenty to do on land but you would be doing yourself a disservice if you did not get out onto the water. As far as I am concerned you cannot go wrong with a small boat day cruise anywhere in Maine.