United States
Maine (ME)
Kennebunks
Kennebunkport
Cape Porpoise
Things to Do in Cape Porpoise
Goat Island Lighthouse

Goat Island Lighthouse, Cape Porpoise: Tickets, Tours, Address, Goat Island Lighthouse Reviews: 4/5

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Goat Island Lighthouse

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Goat Island Lighthouse
4
56
#2 of 3 things to do in Cape Porpoise
Lighthouses
About
Built in 1880, this 25-foot lighthouse flashes white every six seconds as it stands guard over Cape Porpoise Harbor.
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Full view
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
53 within 3 miles
The Ramp Bar and Grill
498
178 ft$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Seafood
Cape Porpoise Chowder House
368
172 ft$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Seafood
Pier 77 Restaurant
698
202 ft$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
Cape Porpoise Lobster CO
21
150 ft$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Seafood
Nunan's Lobster Hut
795
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • Gluten Free Options
Musette Restaurant
82
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Cape Porpoise Kitchen
160
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Deli • Vegetarian Friendly
The Lost Fire Grill & Bar
62
1.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Steakhouse • Argentinean
Rococo Ice Cream
805
2.3 mi$ • Dessert • American • Gluten Free Options
Chez Rosa
60
2.3 mi$$ - $$$ • French • Vegan Options
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Attractions
38 within 3 miles
Saint Ann's Church
664
2.5 miChurches & Cathedrals
Ocean Avenue
667
2.5 miScenic Drives
The Wright Gallery
1
0.6 miArt Galleries
Walker's Point
801
2.3 miScenic Drives
St. Anthony's Monastery
269
2.5 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Scenic Drives
Gooch's Kennebunk Beach
208
2.9 miBeaches
Vaughn's Island Preserve
2
0.7 miHistoric Walking Areas
Goose Rocks Beach
233
2.6 miBeaches
Cape Porpoise Firemen's Park
1
0.9 miParks
Maine Art Hill
42
2.5 miArt Galleries
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Popular mentions
4.0
56 reviews
Excellent
27
Very good
15
Average
12
Poor
1
Terrible
1
sunshinegirl36
Indianapolis, IN215 contributions
View and a meal
Aug 2021
Its a little lighthouse that seems fairly far away. There are 3 restaurants right there - so there is traffic.
Did like that there is seating and area seems welcoming to tourists.
Written September 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
MaineMountainOwl
Maine267 contributions
Scenic Lighthouse Seen Across a Snug Harbor
Jul 2021
At the end of Pier Road, we found a cluster of three seafood-themed restaurants and an attended dirt parking lot. We lucked into an open space and asked to have a look around before we sought a summer weekend dinner at one of the restaurants. Much to our delight, a short, uneven path led to interpretive displays, a bench, and great views of the 25-foot (7.6 m) tall lighthouse (built 1833, renovated 2011) and outbuildings only one mile (1.6 km) offshore across a snug, boat-filled harbor. Be sure to have a zoom lens or binoculars handy to get the most out of a stop to see it. We liked all that we saw here; we disliked nothing.
Written July 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Gene R J
Silver Spring, MD6,291 contributions
Great spot to have lunch with parking included
Jun 2021
We made a short stop here to view the offshore lighthouse due to being oddly parked in this tight Cape Porpoise Harbor. The lobster harbor has understandingly reserved spaces and the popular restaurant has its own attended parking, leaving any others to get really lucky. Its a photogenic area including the mile drive over various islands getting here.
Written June 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
NHjo
Saco, ME3,761 contributions
Beautiful views of Goat Island and others
Mar 2021
The end of Pier Road at Cape Porpoise Harbor is actually on its own tiny island of Bickford Island. From there, you can see other small islands, including Goat Island. The views are great, and there are three well-known restaurants to choose from if you want lunch or dinner. Parking is terrible, though -- there are about a half-dozen free spaces and a very compact parking lot for restaurant dining only. I managed to snag a parking space only because it was a day in March, but there were still several out-of-season tourists milling around.
Written March 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Heather K
17 contributions
Nice Stop
Oct 2020
It is a nice stop to view the lighthouse. It is out on an island, so you cannot walk up to it. They have several plaques detailing the history at the port. It is still an active fishing pier for smaller boats. There are also two restaurants right there. We weren't interested in eating at that time, but I did see that one had a sign they were closed for the season. Parking is very limited there as well.
Written October 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Maurene_K
Dover, NH9,143 contributions
ONE MILE OFFSHORE BUT STILL VERY VISIBLE
Oct 2020
Goat Island Lighthouse is about a mile offshore from Cape Porpoise.

It is very visible from the small park at the end of Pier Road in Cape Porpoise where there is free parking for about a dozen vehicles.

The lighthouse is owned and maintained by the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust.

As a historian interested Colonial and Maritime History, I’m very much into lighthouses, especially ones in New England as I’ve lived in New England all my life. I like to know the history and characteristics of each lighthouse I visit.

This lighthouse was first established in 1835 as a navigational aid to the entrance to Cape Porpoise Harbor. Despite its presence, there were many shipwrecks nearby.

The original station was upgraded to the 25-foot circular brick tower seen today. It was fitted with a fifth order Fresnel lens – about 21”. It was later fitted with Franklin lamps. The present optic is a VLB-44 LED marine beacon, a product of Vega Industries, a New Zealand Company. VLB stands for Vega Lighthouse Beacon. It is very energy-efficient. It was installed in 2008. The focal height is 38 feet. It flashes white every 6 seconds. Its range is 12 nautical miles. The fog signal sounds once every 15 seconds.

There’s an interesting fact about this lighthouse that sets it apart from others. During George H. W. Bush’s presidency, Secret Service agents assigned to him lived on Goat Island to keep watch over the approach to Cape Porpoise and nearby Walker’s Point where his family vacation compound was.

For those with access to a boat, there is an opportunity to visit the lighthouse around high tide for a tour of the tower during the summer, if the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust lighthouse keepers are home.

It’s worth a trip to Cape Porpoise to see it from land. The Cape Pier Chowder House and Pier 77 Restaurants are right across the street from the small park, so the visit can be combined with lunch or dinner.

I rate the Goat Island Lighthouse at 4.25.

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Written October 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Colleen C
Troy, NY1,543 contributions
not go out of your way to TRY to see this lighthouse
Jul 2020
I wouldn't rush to see this lighthouse ~ first you have to pay for parking and second the lighthouse is at such a distance that you need a awesome zoom lens to be able to see it. And all for 5 minutes of your time.
Written July 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
JDiaz
Sloatsburg, NY52 contributions
Disappointing
Jul 2020 • Couples
Disappointing. We didn’t realize the lighthouse was so far off in the distance. There was plenty of parking for a Wednesday around 5PM during Covid-19. It started to rain just as we parked so we were there two minutes to take a few pictures and left.
Written July 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
TomE0005
Whitehouse Station, NJ280 contributions
Better Have a Zoom Lens
Oct 2019
My wife and I stopped here during a two-night stay in Kennebunkport, ME. We were under the impression that we would be up close to the light house. As you can see from my picture, a shot from your cellphone (and I used the Samsung 9 with a great camera) will not give you much of the light house. Oh well, plenty else to see in Kennebunkport.
Written October 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
The Sure Woulds
Fishers, IN3 contributions
Cute little Thing!
Oct 2019
This is such a great little visit. Able to park close and complete the short walk up to the light house and walk around it. It was a nice little stop!
Written October 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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