Nobska Lighthouse

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Nobska Lighthouse – A Must-See Cape Cod Gem 📍 Location & Accessibility Nobska Lighthouse is perched atop a bluff in Woods Hole, Falmouth, offering one of the most breathtaking views of Vineyard Sound and the Elizabeth Islands. It’s easily accessible by car, with a small parking area nearby. While limited, the lot turns over quickly, and roadside parking is also available. 🏞️ Scenic Views The panoramic vistas are stunning—especially at sunrise or sunset. You can see Martha’s Vineyard, the ferries passing through the Sound, and a dramatic meeting of sea and sky. It’s a photographer’s dream and a peaceful place to sit, reflect, and take in the coastal beauty of Cape Cod. 🕰️ Historical Significance Originally built in 1876, Nobska Light has rich maritime history and served as a key navigational point for sailors around the Cape. The site is well-maintained, and the Friends of Nobska Light have done an amazing job preserving its legacy. The lighthouse structure itself—white with a black lantern—is classic New England. 🧭 Guided Tours (When Available) Tours inside the lighthouse are occasionally offered by the non-profit organization managing the property. If you get a chance to go inside, the spiral staircase and the lantern room offer a deeper appreciation for the role this lighthouse played in maritime history. 📸 Great for Families & Visitors Nobska is kid-friendly and an excellent stop for families looking for a quick but meaningful activity. Whether you're touring Cape Cod or doing a day trip from Boston, it’s a worthy detour. Picnicking on the grassy knoll nearby is a simple joy. 💬 Final Thoughts Nobska Lighthouse isn’t just a beautiful photo op—it's a serene, historic landmark that captures the spirit of Cape Cod. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or just passing through, don’t miss it.

Possibly the most perfect place on earth. Go. Sit. Stare. Think. Bring a couple layers because it's breezy. Bring some art supplies. Bring a blanket. A great place for star gazing at night. (Photos from Easter 2023)

Always beautiful- my favorite road! Make sure when you visit the lighthouse, you walk across the street and go to the little overlook area- if you are brave you can walk down further on the rocks to the water (just be careful of ticks and prickly bushes!)

Such a beautiful spot! I got there before dusk and there were only a few people milling around. Though it's not open to tours you can walk the grounds. Easy to get to and there about five parking spaces. Be careful pulling out as there's a blind turn on one side.

Cool lighthouse, couldn't go in because they are not open on the weekend. No parking and the second lot was not open. There is a memorial across the road I found interesting. The last name on the plaque is my grandmother's name. No relation but I had no idea the bench and plaque were there.

What a beautiful view and it’s just so peaceful. The water looks so clear and clean. The area is very well kept Love it!

Tranquil and beautiful. The little path to the water itself is very pretty as well. The lighthouse itself was closed, but didn’t mind the fewer people.

Gorgeous view of Woods Hole and the ferry to the vineyard. Shorter light house. Museum looks brand new inside with new bathrooms.

I've been to dozens of lighthouses and Nobska Point rivals them all for its own appearance, that it's free and that there's such a tremendous view from here. The lighthouse protects ships in Vineyard Sound, the tidal strait that separates the southwestern coast of Cape Cod from the northern shores of Martha's Vineyard. From here, you can watch the many ferries making their way from Woods Hole to the islands. The light station was established in 1828, with the tower protruding above the keeper's house, and was replaced in 1876 by the current 42 foot tall iron tower. The light station includes four buildings: the tower, the keeper's house, a radio beacon house, and a small oil house. The keeper's house is open for tours. I do not believe that the lighthouse is open, but you can still walk the grounds and enjoy. [Round number review 1100 of 2025 - 1247 in Massachusetts - 24654 overall]

Just beautiful! I absolutely loved Cape Cod and the beautiful breathtaking views. The lighthouse isn't open for going inside, at least the day we went. But we were able to walk around the grounds and go across the street to get great pictures of the water and landscaping.

Bottom Line: Picturesque lighthouse with an interesting history and surrounded by beautiful scenery. I've visited a lot of great lighthouses and Nobska Point is one of my favorites! First, the lighthouse looks like something out of a Charles Wysocki painting and is very charming. Second, the views from the point are magnificent! We were treated to views of Martha's Vineyard, Woods Hole, ferries passing by and even a seal swimming. Third, the lighthouse has an interesting history with a civilian lighthouse keeper until 1972 and use by the USCG until 2013. I did not get to go inside since the buildings were not open yet for the season but I am still a fan of this historic light. There was nice signage outside about the history of the lighthouse and the monumental restoration progress but mostly I enjoyed the views. As far as I could tell, parking is fairly limited but we visited in early May on a week day and we were easily able to get a spot.

Situated atop a little hill is this delightful lighthouse overlooking Nobska beach. Enter through a little white picket fence and ascend the short pathway to the top. You will catch a view of Martha's Vineyard from here. Although it was not open to tour when we came by, this would be one that I would definitely go into. It was so peaceful and inviting, we loved it. Parking is limited. Handicap spaces available.

It was cute ... while driving by. Less than a handful of parking spots that didn't open up during our two passes by, and no room to even wait for a spot to open. This wouldn't have been on our list today if we knew that parking sucked.

This is our favorite lighthouse anywhere. We have visited this area for over 50 years and have always been outside, just viewing. But the lighthouse, though still a working light, has now been restored with very limited tours inside the tower as well as some historical displays inside the house. We were lucky to hit it just at the right time. The guides are well informed and very welcoming. The adjacent beach is one we have frequented also. The view from the top of the tower was amazing. The original Fresnel lens is still there and working and the guide up at the top is so full of info, he could talk to you forever on the tech aspects as well as the history. Apparently he has been put on a timer for tour groups, so don't be surprised if you hear his alarm. It's a decent climb but doable even for me, not the most athletic anymore and a tight enclosed area but well worth it. The view from the portholes at the top allow you to see the passage buoys for the Island ferries, often a ferry going by, and you can see Martha's Vineyard and the Elizabeth Islands. Nantucket is too far. Currently they are only open on Tuesdays and Thursdays with only a few tours midday. You need a ticket reserved if you want to go up the tower. In the house itself, there are some nice pictorial displays and a cute gift shop, with books, shirts and hats and various memorabilia. Do stop in as the staff there is incredibly helpful and nice too. We were so lucky we got to see it all. Not really surprising as this particular place of Falmouth/Woods Hole has always been our luckiest spot.

We drove along the picturesque coastline of Cape Cod until we came across the Nobska Lighthouse set on a hill with breathtaking views of the ocean. The grounds are spotless and the buildings have been perfectly restored. This must be the most enchanting place at sunset and I can well imagine lots of wonderful moments have taken place here. If you venture across the road, you'll follow a short path to a lovely monument and incredible views of the shimmering ocean. Whether you're a history buff, a nature enthusiast, or simply seeking a moment of serenity by the sea, a visit to this iconic landmark promises an experience that's nothing short of magical. What a fabulous place to be a lighthouse keeper!

Beautiful spot for watching the sunset. And a very lovely lighthouse property. I believe it is open to go to the top during the day starting in late spring.

Got to stand next to a Fresnel lens. So happy to see this place beautiful restored after so many years. The staff there are knowledgeable and very friendly. Tours sell quickly and are small groups. Parking is very limited. The views are absolutely stunning. Will definitely be going back again once the museum is fully finished.

Cool spot to get a glimpse of Martha's Vineyard. Park in the four spaces along the road get a view from you vehicle or take a better picture from the beach. Lighthouse was taken care of by the Coast Guard until just after the turn of the century.

A beautiful, scenic lighthouse that you can walk right up to. Parking can be a bit of a nightmare anime it is located on a corner as well as a hill... The lighthouse itself is full of the charm you would expect from a New England lighthouse. Easy to get to and well worth stopping by. Be sure to check out all the other attractions in Falmouth and Woods Hole (especially the aquarium).

The Cape is well known for their countless lighthouses, so we decided to swing by and check this one out while we were in town. It was a quick visit, as it is right on the corner of a hilly street. We were able to pull over in front of it and snap a few pictures. We would have gotten out but there was a huge bridal party there having their photos taken. Loved the fact that you didn't have to walk a mile to get to it and were close enough to see it's beauty right from the car!

Short and sweet. A nice drive by view of a light house for the family. Great photo op on the cape. No hike needed. The beach also looked beautiful but we don't walk it due to the rain. The houses around it are beautiful also. Quintessential Cape Cod.

First off, let me just say that THIS IS NOT the lighthouse on the cape cod chips as is mentioned in one of the reviews here. That lighthouse is the Nauset lighthouse in Eastham. They are not even the same colours for crying out loud! The Nauset lighthouse is red and white, as are the Capecod chips. And this lighthouse is black and white. Having got that out of my system, let me proceed to the rest of my review. The Parking spot is small and comes up on you suddenly, but just drive along past the light house and you will find more cars parked along the Nobska beach. It feels a bit hazardous to walk from there to the light house because of all the blind curves, but we survived. The light house is very picturesque, and photographs well. We also hopped across to the tiny memorial garden of sorts and took great pictures. I highly recommend taking the time to visit this very pretty lighthouse if you are in the neighbourhood with an hour to spare, like we did.

3.5 Stars A lighthouse is a lighthouse is lighthouse. For all intents and purposes, Nobska Point Lighthouse is a nice place to stop if you're on a drive or a bike ride. It has gorgeous views of the water and landscape of Woods Hole. If you're a photographer, you'll definitely get a lot of pretty shots here. You can't go up the lighthouse or into the lighthouse keeper's house, but you can walk right up to the base of the light. We went early on Valentine's Day to catch the sunrise and it was absolutely breath-taking and romantic. There's a small parking lot available that's convenient and it's a three minute drive away from a public beach and some bike trails. Overall, worth a visit if you're in the area, but don't go out of your way for it.

What an absolutely beautiful spot! If you're out in this area this lighthouse is a must see. Unfortunately the lighthouse itself was closed due to the covid but we more than enjoyed looking around and then sitting at spot across the street. I cannot imagine how stunning it must be at sunset.

A light that still shines The first light established on Nobska Point was in 1828 and the present light was constructed in 1876. The tower is 40 feet high but seems much taller and presently has a 4th order Fresnel Lens. This is the light you see when you are returning to Woods Hole from the Vineyard, Nantucket or anywhere south. It looks especially beautiful at dawn or dust and if it is hazy or cloudy the light seems to hover in the air. Nobska is a lighthouse that looks more impressive from a distance or in bad weather. The grounds to the light are open and there is a little parking area right in front that allows you to get out and walk around and take pictures of the lighthouse. Of course great views of the ocean can be seen in all directions. The large building next to the lighthouse used to be the keeper's house and is now used by the Coast Guard and is never open to the public. No museum or gift shop, just the light itself. Occasionally the Coast Guard does give tours on the inside of the light but the schedule is irregular. Call or hit the web site to find out exactly when the light will be open.

Beautiful sunset which is wonderously romantic for two. I highly recommend a visit by sunset. It's Cape Cod's jewel. N.B. Parking is on a side street as it may be difficult to locate a spot.

The Cape is famous for its lighthouses. Nobska serves as a sentinel and a beacon for the southwest. While the tower dates back to 1876, the lighthouse has served Woods Hole since 1828. The lighthouse&the keeper's house are subject to seasonal hours; it's still a working lighthouse, especially for the ferries to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Occasionally it's open to the public. There are picnic tables nearby. Despite its challenging parking situation, one can walk or bike to it. It offers amazing views of the Ocean. A beacon illuminating the Cape.

I love this lighthouse! This lighthouse is the hidden gem of lighthouses on Cape! This lighthouse located in Woods Hole is situated on top of the hill that over looks Martha's Vineyard and Woods Hole. This lighthouse has a phenomenal view, and the history surrounding this lighthouse is interesting as well. I love to go to Nobska when it is snowing, and enjoy listening to the crashing waves and fog horn.

Cape Cod is known for their light houses, so we decided to visit the closest one to where we happened to be in Cape Cosand it was the Nobska Point Lighthouse. The scenery is very pretty. The lighthouse is on one side, and the ocean is on the other side. The area around it is clean, and there's a cute (residential?) house next to the lighthouse. You can get really up close to the light house aka right next to it, and I would definitely recommend dropping by for 15-30 mins to see the light house or take pictures. If you want the iconic lighthouse against the ocean sunset picture, this lighthouse would not be the one for you, because the lighthouse and the coast are far apart and when you park to go see it, they are on opposite sides. Overall, I would definitely recommend visiting this place!

Absolutely beautiful landmark to visit when in the Cape. Signs are well labeled and there is a beautiful path to get a nice serve view of the water. It is a great spot to visit when in the Cape. The people around here were friendly and knowledgeable of the area.

If you're in the Woods Hole or Falmouth area, take a drive out to Nobska Point Lighthouse. You can't take tours of the lighthouse right now, but it is a nice place to have a picnic and has some of the best views on the Cape. Parking is tough as the roads are very narrow and don't allow for street-parking. There is a very small parking lot at the base of the lighthouse though. Take advantage of the panoramic views and opt for a walk or bike-ride instead!

GORGEOUS place and one lighthouse that's very accessible. -You can walk right up and knock on it. Easily, the cutest lighthouse on the Cape.There are interior tours of the lighthouse, occasionally. They decorate it at the holidays, too. Check out the little details on the lighthouse- there are small, lighthouse-shaped 'finials' around the railing atop the light-part. (I believe the keeper's house is occupied by the head of the Woods Hole Coast Guard station, so keep in mind, there's a private residence there, too.) Parking is limited, but there is a look-out with a beautiful view RIGHT across the road from the lighthouse. Kids can even (carefully) crawl down from/around and fish for crabs, eels, etc, if you bring a line, stringer-clip (not a hook) and bait. Just dip your baited line in between the rocks and watch 'em attach to it (bring a bucket for observation, since it's catch & release, of course)! There's a private beach (parking, etc.) along-side of the rocks-side that they're super-persnickety about during 'peak beach season', but in the off season, you can access the rocks and explore the wildlife in a slightly less precarious climb from there.

Beautiful lighthouse and nice view! We were taking a day to drive to the tip of Cape Cod and picked out a few lighthouses to visit. This was the first one. It was a sunny day with clear view. Definitely worth the time to stop! Parking can be a little challenging...

This lighthouse sits on the very southwestern tip of Cape Cod. They do not offer tours. There is a very small parking lot in front, but people move quickly as they walk across the street to the small path to sit for a moment, take photos and be on their way. It's a must see - of course I think the best views of it are from the water!

Yesterday at the Sandwich Glass Museum the fellow behind the desk told us about Nobska Point Lighthouse. He told us he and his family sometimes go bike riding out here. He said it's either a right or a left turn off Nobska Road and he invariably turns the wrong way. We laughed about how he could draw us a map but that none of us could be sure whether his direction would be the right one or the wrong one. As it happened we had taken that route back to Falmouth a day or two ago, turning left. Since we had seen no lighthouse, we decided to turn right when we went looking for it today. There are no directional signs that we saw. As we drove along the shoreline we came close to being hit by a car backing out of a parking space. We were so focused on the car that we didn't realize until we came to the main road that the parking lot was in front of the lighthouse and that we had missed it. So we went back, parked and admired the lighthouse. There's an excellent, albeit somewhat faded display giving the history and information about the lighthouse, its construction, the light which shines through the 4th order Fresnel lens and the fact that the windows of the lighthouse had red pieces of glass which were visible when ships were in the wrong place. When they were safely positioned the windows showed clear. The lighthouse and the attached lighthouse keeper's houses used to be under the control of the Coast Guard, but they are now under the auspices of the Friends of the Lighthouse and are open to the public periodically. There's a gate leading to stairs w/ no railing which give access to the lighthouse. We didn't assay them, but if you're surefooted you probably will want to do so to walk around the grounds.

A nice view and a must visit if you're in the area as it's a historial landmark to me. Don't expect it to be a big space or else you would be disappointed. Parking is limited to about 8 cars.

Stunning view! Beautiful lighthouse with some great photo ops as well. The parking lot seems to always have enough space and everything seems pretty well maintained. A gorgeous stop during your cape visit!

Nobska Point offers great views and some unique photo opportunities of both the light house and overlooking the waters of Woods Hole pass. If you time it just right you can see the car carrier ferries leaving for Martha's Vineyard and returning to Great Harbor.

There's not much more here than the lighthouse and the view. The parking lot is small and while you can enter the grounds of the lighthouse, you cannot tour the lighthouse. Across the street, there is a path down to the rocks and the ocean. I wouldn't go out of my way to see this place, but it's a nice quick stop to enjoy the beauty of the cape.

This was a side trip on the way to Woods Hole, and really glad we visited. Spectacular elevated views of Martha's Vineyard, Nonamesset Island and Naushon Island, as well as a picturesque lighthouse which offers tours only on Tuesdays and Thursday's between 10 am and 12 noon. There is parking for about 4-5 cars but don't let that deter you. Across the street there is a path which takes you to a cliff overlooking the sound = beautiful. This is the lighthouse pictured on the Cape Cod potato chips bags... a little useless information!

A must stop! You can go right up to the light house past the fence. There is another that says where to stop. The view is amazing and the parking is jut right.. Maybe spots for 10 cars

I'm totally biased because I can practically see Nobska from my house. While I didn't grow up on the Cape, I moved there as a teenager. Nobska is beautiful. A little stream of consciousness on Nobska for you -- repainting and unpainting the keeper's house... coming up the hill past the 1 mile mark in the Falmouth Road Race.... seeing the lighthouse and knowing you've got 6 miles to go, and that that tight running pack is about to thin out and you can find your true stride... riding my bike from Falmouth to Woods Hole and stopping for a break on the grassy lawn.... crossing the street to take pictures on the rocks.... seeing the memorial for the daughter-in-law of a family friend, lost in the September 11th attacks... the beautiful poem on the memorial stone... watching the ferries go back and forth to the island... waiting for sunset and listening to the waves crash... beautiful places, beautiful times.

The light house is only open certain days to actually go into it and the house is actually private property but the view and walk along the water ihs great. And there is a small park across the street with a bench to rest while enjoying the view.

We stopped by for a quick photo session during a nice sunny day. We felt a bit awkward going next to the lighthouse - as we had to pass through a little "door / gate" - making us feeling that we were trespassing someone else's property. It was a quick 5 minute visit and yet very memorable.

We had lunch in Falmouth (the pickle jar) then drove 10 min to see the lighthouse. We were so glad we did! It's so picturesque and the views are beautiful! A great way to finish our Cape Cod experience. Definitely recommend. We had no trouble parking, but could see where it could get tricky on a busier day (only 3- 4 spaces available).

Excellent view of the Nobska Beach shoreline. Love the fact that the beaches aren't overly crowded.

Gorgeous spot. Unfortunately, we hit the place right at the start of a huge rain downpour! They did have to close the lighthouse just as we pulled up as the stairway was getting slippery. But they did let us walk in and take a look. I'd love to come back here again to enjoy the spot and the view on a better day.

We went to see the lighthouse after visiting the aquarium in Falmouth. You can see Martha's Vineyard in the distance. A nice afternoon spent.

I may be partial to this lighthouse because me and my wife visited here the same day we got engaged on the cape so its really a special spot for us. Besides that however, this lighthouse is by far one of the best on the Cape. Its easily accessible, you can get right up to it, and it provides stunning views. While the parking area is very small, it doesn't warrant a reduction in stars. People tend to come and go rather quick and spots open up relatively easy. Also note that right across the street is a small path to some benches and excellent vistas. Nobska Point Light is a must visit if you're in the area.

Great view, and a good spot for sunset and picnics on the table rocks below.

This is a real gem that we have in Woods Hole, Falmouth. Not only the lighthouse itself, but its setting on a curving road along the coast, and the view out onto Vineyard Sound. I never tire of capturing scenic photographs of Nobska light, summer through winter. And Nobska Beach, just around the curve, is one of my favorite beaches for holding family beach portrait sessions, offering a variety of backdrops, from water to grassy dunes to Nobska in the distance. A not-to-miss visit.