Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, Maine

Pointing out the entrance to Bass Harbor and Blue Hill Bay stands the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Build in 1858 and becoming automated in 1974, this lighthouse is still operated by the United States Coast Guard and provides a beacon for ships at sea to mark the dangerous coastline and to mark the safe entrance to the Harbor.

One of only about 1500 remaining operational lighthouses in the world, the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is maintained and operated by the United States Coast Guard. One of the great benefits of being the Bass Harbor Lighthouse keeper is being able to live in the living quarters that are a part of the Lighthouse.

Build nearly 150 years ago, in 1858, the Lighthouse shines a red beam, flashing every 5 seconds, and operates 24 hours each day. The height of the beam above the water is 67 feet.

You can travel to the lighthouse by vehicle or view it from the ocean waters on a boat. Either way, you will notice the large granite boulders that line the shore. The primary purpose of the Lighthouse is to ensure that boats do not smash into the boulders as they navigate into Bass Harbor.

Be careful if you attempt to take the walking paths from the lighthouse to the rocky shore as they are extremely steep and can be quite slick.