Pros & cons
PROS
- Photogenic lighthouse guarding the mouth of Somes Sound
- Easy to see from boat tours and the Cranberry Isles mailboat
CONS
- No public access to the island or lighthouse
- Distant views from land; best views require a boat ride
Overview
Perched on the west end of tiny Bear Island at the entrance to Somes Sound, Bear Island Light Station is a classic, 31-foot brick lighthouse with a keeper’s house and outbuildings tucked among spruce and granite. It’s part of the park’s history and scenery, but it’s privately leased and not open to the public—this one’s meant to be admired from the water or afar.
How to See It
You won’t step ashore here. The lighthouse is best viewed from boats and ferries that pass the mouth of Somes Sound. The Cranberry Isles mailboat cruises by daily, and seasonal boat tours and kayak outings also give great angles. From land, you can get a distant look from Shore Road in Manset, but bring binoculars or a long lens.
What Makes It Special
Set at the narrow gateway to Somes Sound, the station’s compact tower and gambrel-roofed keeper’s house make a storybook silhouette against rocky shores and open ocean. The light is a private aid to navigation today, flashing white every five seconds.
History in Brief
- Established in 1839; current brick tower dates to 1889.
- Outbuildings include a 1905 oil house and boathouse.
- Discontinued in the 1980s and replaced by an offshore buoy; the property joined the park in 1987, was listed on the National Register in 1988, and was relit as a private aid in 1989 under a long-term lease that funds its upkeep.
Wildlife & Scenery
From the water, keep an eye out for seabirds, seals, and occasional porpoises along the rocky shoreline—nice bonuses while you’re lining up lighthouse shots.
Photography Tips
- Shoot from a boat for the best perspective; use a fast shutter speed to counter the "motion-of-the-ocean."
- Mornings and late afternoons offer the most flattering light.
- A telephoto lens helps from shore or when tour boats keep their distance.
Best Time to Visit
When seasonal boat cruises are operating. Aim for morning or late-afternoon light for photography. The mailboat’s daily run is the most reliable way to see it up close without chartering.
Where it is
44.2834, -68.2699Tips for Bear Island Light Station
- 01Take the Cranberry Isles mailboat for a close pass without a charter.
- 02For land-based views, try Shore Road in Manset and bring binoculars.
- 03Use a fast shutter speed when shooting from a moving boat.
- 04Morning or late-afternoon light flatters the lighthouse’s west-end setting.
- 05A telephoto lens helps isolate the lighthouse from tour boats.
Near Bear Island Light Station
All places →All trails →
0.5 mi awayHarbor Brook TrailShaded mossy stroll along a quiet brook with a historic stone bridgeEasy · 2.4 mi · 1 hr
1.7 mi awayAsticou Brook PathShady brookside stroll by Asticou Garden—quick, calm, and prettyEasy · 1 mi · 30 min
1.7 mi awayAsticou Azalea GardenA serene Japanese-inspired garden of blooms and reflectionsParking · Scenic Viewpoint
2.1 mi awayBrown Mountain GatehouseStorybook gatehouse and a quiet gateway to the carriage roadsTrailhead · Parking
2.1 mi awayLower Hadlock TrailShady, quiet loop circling Lower Hadlock Pond with easy footingEasy · 1.7 mi · 1 hr
2.1 mi awayIslesford Historical MuseumBoat-access island museum on lobstering and Islesford lifeRestroom · Exhibit
2.1 mi awayCobblestone BridgeOne-of-a-kind 1917 carriage-road bridge over Jordan StreamScenic Viewpoint
2.2 mi awaySargent Mountain South Ridge TrailOpen granite ridge to Acadia’s second-highest, with room to breatheModerate · 5.5 mi · 3.5 hr
