Wood Island Lighthouse
Wood Island Lighthouse
4.5
About
The Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse offers tours Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday during July & August. Board the Light Runner for the short ride out to the island. Restored to 1906, you'll learn about the exciting history of the island, lighthouse & its keeper’s house. Reservations may be made after June 1 of each year at our website. Tours fees are $35 for those 13 and above and $20 for those under 13. Tours involve a 1/2 mile walk on a boardwalk each way. Sturdy footwear with closed heel or strap is required for safety.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
77 reviews
Excellent
59
Very good
11
Average
3
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Eric S
1 contribution
Aug 2022
Unfortunately my elderly mother booked this non refundable trip to the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse. After arriving and Signing the release we were told we needed different footwear for the boat trip. Did I mention we signed the the release! The, Karen named Amy stated we could try going to this corner market and see if they had duct tape or potential shoes for sale. Friends, there isn't any options at this location, Be Warned to bring at least one or two changes of shoes/sneakers to ensure you meet their Standards! Did I mention we signed the the release!
Didn't up going due to their zero tolerance, nor did we get our money back (5 of us).
Good luck Friends of Wood Island. Book while they're still in business.
Didn't up going due to their zero tolerance, nor did we get our money back (5 of us).
Good luck Friends of Wood Island. Book while they're still in business.
Written 27 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are very sorry that you were unable to complete your trip. All of our literature, including website descriptions of the tour and confirmation letters state that footwear with closed heel or strap is required. We do this, and have had this same requirement for 18 seasons, for the safety of our guests. Boarding the boat on a rocky beach, disembarking on the ramp at the island, walking the boardwalk and climbing the stone steps of the tower can pose risks with “flip flops.” Our staff person was not being difficult , but was following our policy of many years and did offer an option that some guests have taken in the past.
Written 21 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Elmer D
Cincinnati14 contributions
Aug 2022
This is not the tour if you can not sprint the 12 mile from the boat loaunch to the light house. Forget ADA compilance anything, I had walking stick and all I heard is can you pick up the pace. No enjoying the foliage found and the guide are not familiar enough to recognize anything past obvious goldenrod or bayberry.
There landing craft needs serious work and should not have been deployed.
With a soreknee and back this was not the sprint I was looking for... -3 out of 10.
There landing craft needs serious work and should not have been deployed.
With a soreknee and back this was not the sprint I was looking for... -3 out of 10.
Written 30 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are sorry that you felt rushed. As specified in our literature, our tours do require guests to walk across the approximately 1/2 mile boardwalk going to and from the lighthouse. For safety, we try to keep our guests together with the guide who carries a radio. You are mistaken about our boat, it was completely renovated in 2021 and was fully inspected by the Coast Guard in the spring of 2022.
Written 21 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
FrequentFlier70273
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Family
My sister and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the lighthouse. We took the first tour of the day (9 AM). We got there early to park (and picked up breakfast at Reilly's bakery in Biddeford to eat while we waited). The boat was easy to board and the crew were friendly and engaging. It was an easy walk on the boardwalk from the boat to the lighthouse. Our guides, Eric and Amy, were awesome. We were so impressed by their dedication, enthusiasm, and knowledge. Their stories even included interesting details about famous/infamous people in our hometown of OOB. We are dog people, so we especially loved the stories and photos of the lighthouse dogs. The grounds and lighthouse are beautiful and well cared for and we had plenty of time to explore the lighthouse and the lightkeeper's house and enjoy the view. The gift shop in the lightkeeper's house was a fun surprise (they accept cash or venmo). We highly recommend this tour to visitors and Mainers! It's a unique and fun experience and a great value.
Written 20 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Holly G
5 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
What a beautiful place! A lovely 10-15 minute boat ride with very friendly and knowledgeable tour guides brings you to the island. It’s a short half-mile walk up a boardwalk from there to the lighthouse.
At the lighthouse there is time to tour the beautifully restored keepers home and climb the tower (ages 10+ and proper footwear is required per their website). The views at the top are breathtaking and the tour guide took lots of pictures for us.
We could have stayed all day, but we had to catch the boat back which was bringing the next tour along.
All tours are guided by volunteers who kept us well-informed, entertained, safe and on schedule. Thank you all for a wonderful time!
At the lighthouse there is time to tour the beautifully restored keepers home and climb the tower (ages 10+ and proper footwear is required per their website). The views at the top are breathtaking and the tour guide took lots of pictures for us.
We could have stayed all day, but we had to catch the boat back which was bringing the next tour along.
All tours are guided by volunteers who kept us well-informed, entertained, safe and on schedule. Thank you all for a wonderful time!
Written 10 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Whitney
Etna, PA16 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
The Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse made this tour amazing. From historical facts, a short boat ride, 1/2 walk across an uninhabited island, and walking up the lighthouse steps, words will never describe how unforgettable this tour was! The tour guides are phenomenal storytellers, where you’ll hear history of the island/time period and ghost stories too. This tour is highly recommended to anyone who likes lighthouses, history, and a few hours in nature.
Written 20 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaineMountainOwl
Maine281 contributions
Jul 2021
We only saw this 47-ft (14.3 m) tall, conical, white lighthouse (built 1808) from the vantage point of East Point Sanctuary in Biddeford Pool. From a distance, the light-keeper’s house appeared to be weather-beaten and somewhat derelict. Be sure to bring a zoom lens or binoculars if hoping to view it up close. Be aware of poison ivy and deer ticks on Sanctuary trails. We’ll be looking for a way to visit the island and its light on the Lightrunner on future trips to Saco Bay.
Written 23 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It is unfortunate that you saw Wood Island Lighthouse from over a mile away rather than on one of our tours, where you can see the fully restored and furnished property. From such a distance, the black security screens mandated by the Coast Guard do give the house a dark look, but close up, it is in great shape.
Written 21 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
torrij2000
Ogunquit, ME18 contributions
Aug 2022
Thank you SO much for a wonderful day and adventure at Wood Island Light. The access given on this tour of the tower and the house were incredible. Our tour guides John and Dawn were delightful, filled with fun facts and stories of the island and their residents over the years. Thank you Dawn for taking so many great pictures we will cherish forever. The small size of these tours contributed to an amazing individualized maine lighthouse experience.
Written 12 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janice g
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Friends
This lighthouse and inn keeper's home and surrounding property is so well preserved, it's as if you are walking in past. The volunteer guides have history and ghost stories to share with the small group. The tour was prompt and parking was easy and close by. Even though the morning started out foggy, it gave us a chance to appreciate the old mariner's who relied on light houses to guide them.
Written 9 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GrandTour146003
5 contributions
Aug 2021
It is such a wonderful tour. The view was fantastic, the lighthouse is well maintained with great history displayed. The island is just so beautiful, and so is the view of the ocean. Thank you all the friends of Wood Island, you have done such great job and your work is so worthwhile. I was also moved by your efficiency and friendliness. The whole tour was very well organized. I felt so lucky that I have found their website and joined the tour. I constantly thought of my tour to the island and the lighthouse, I will keep the memory forever.
Written 12 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debra I
4 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
From Kathleens into to Denniss talk, perfect boat ride from the Captain & crew it was a perfect day! Kathleen explained the lighthouse with pictures and brought to the top & Dennis toured the house with us. They both were very knowledgeable & made it fun as well! I would saw you need to be able to walk a mile, climb 60 stairs & crawl through a little door to walk along the outside of the lighthouse. The view was amazing.
Written 24 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you go explore the island and lighthouse without taking the tour?
Written 3 July 2019
You can get on the island by kayak but can't access the lighthouse except by taking the tour.
Written 4 July 2019
We have two 8 year olds and a 3 year old. Would you recommend this walk to the light house with a 3 year old?
Written 21 July 2015
Hi . The walk is 1 mile one way. It wld most likely take you 20 mins each way. I think most 3 year olds would be tried or distracted. However you can stay as long as you want once you are at the light house, so I would do it. 20 mins is not that long to enjoy a great experience
Written 24 July 2015
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