Tour Burnt Coat Harbor Light

Burnt Coat Harbor Light Station is located on Swan’s Island…with a little planning you are there!

As you arrive at the light station, you will see four buildings — the trim, red-roofed Keeper’s House, the white Light Tower with its black bonnet, the old red brick Oil House and the Bell House, which projects over the rocks at the very tip of the point. You will also see the bell. It is no longer in the bell house but on the left of the walkway as you approach the buildings.

The Keeper’s House was built in 1872 and was home to lighthouse keepers and their families for about 100 years. The restored rooms downstairs (parlor, dining room, and kitchen) are open to the public during the summer. Inside you will find historical displays, a small art gallery, mementos, natural history information, souvenirs, and a friendly manager. You can also get lots of information about the light station and a map of the trails. The upstairs rooms have been converted into a comfortable apartment, with a bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bathroom, for weekly rental during the summer months. Enjoy a little time on the oceanside porch with rocking chairs for you to take in the wonderful ocean views. You can also pick up note cards, postcards, prints, apparel, hats and other mementos of your visit in the gift shop. A public restroom is also available on site.

Tower tours of the lighthouse are offered during the summer. Tower guides will answer your questions about the light station’s history and life on the island. The Light Tower was lit for the first time in August 1872. It stands 35 feet high and is capped with a square iron platform and a cupola or bonnet that holds the light. The light was originally a 4th order Fresnel lens which was removed by The Coast Guard in the 1970s. It has been replaced at least twice since then. The present LED light was installed in 2017.

Inside the tower, flights of metal steps (30 steps) climb to the Watch Room, where the keeper could keep watch on stormy nights. Our friendly tower guides will accompany visitors who wish to climb the tower and who can do so. There is no handrail on the stairs. From the Watch Room, a short ladder leads up to the lantern room.

Tour Schedule:

mid-June to mid-September:

Tuesday through Saturday: 11 am to 3 pm
Closed Sunday and Monday

The trails are always open! Almost two miles of trails wind around Hockamock Head and give access to two beaches — Burying Point Beach on the harbor side of the peninsula and Long Point Beach on the ocean side. The trails are open from dawn to dusk. The rocking chairs on the keeper’s house porch are a fine place to sit and enjoy the view as you watch the lobster boats come and go.

Cost:

There are no fees for visiting the light station buildings, exploring the trails, or enjoying the park’s beaches. Donations are accepted and used for the continuing preservation of this historic structure.

Tour FAQS:

For your safety and the safety of others:

• There are 35 metal steps in the tower with no handrails.
• Visitors are not permitted go outside on the catwalk
• We suggest wearing comfortable shoes

Directions:

You can reach Swan’s Island by Maine State Ferry service. The ferry makes several round trips each day between Bass Harbor and Swan’s Island. The trip takes about 30 minutes each way. The Light Station is about 3.5 miles from the ferry landing. You can drive your car onto the ferry, take your bicycle, or walk on. The ferry leaves from the Bass Harbor Ferry Terminal at 45 Granville Rd., Tremont, ME Phone 207-244-3254. Most days, the ferry makes six round trips. The last ferry from the island back to Bass Harbor is at 4:30 pm. Be aware that ferry runs can sometimes be canceled or delayed because of weather conditions, medical emergencies, or equipment malfunctions. The ferry usually can take 17 cars. There are four reservations available for each ferry trip. You can make a reservation up to 30 days in advance. If you miss getting your car onto the 4:30 PM ferry, which is the last ferry back to Bass Harbor, your car will be spending the night on the island.