Nobska Point Lighthouse

Established in 1826 overlooking Martha’s Vineyard and Nonamesset Islands, Nobska Point Lighthouse is a great stop on your East Coast lighthouse tour.

The Nobska Lighthouse was originally built as a light station where the light tower was attached to the top of the light keeper’s house. It wasn't until 1876 that the current 42-foot lighthouse was built. Up until 1985, the lighthouse keeper and their assistants lived on the property to maintain the lighthouse. Since then the lighthouse has been automated, leaving the last keeper to retire and the property to be sold. In 1987, the Nobska Point Light Station was added to the National Register of Historic Places. For a time, the house on the property was used as a residence for the commanding officer of the United States Coast Guard. However, in 2012 it needed serious maintenance and could no longer be a residence. It was offered for sale in 2015. Four organizations from the town of Falmouth wanted to make sure the historic lighthouse was preserved and bought it themselves.

This lighthouse is a great viewpoint at the end of Woods Hole. Currently the lighthouse is available for tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays through July and August from 10 a.m. to noon. Although you can view the inside of the lighthouse, the keeper's house is not available for tours and is marked as private property. Across from the lighthouse is a small path that provides a bench and a better viewpoint of Martha’s Vineyard and Nonamesset Islands. From here you can also sit and watch the ferries go back and forth from Woods Hole to the islands. There is a very small parking lot available for visitors with limited parking.