Wood End Lighthouse
Wood End Lighthouse
4.5
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4.5
54 reviews
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bbbob84
Staten Island, NY1,615 contributions
May 2021
I did not make the trek out to the lighthouse after reading the many stories about the challenges of getting there. However, I was able to get a picture from the beach off of Commercial Street in town. I will make the personal visit on another trip when I have time and am prepared for it.
Written 31 May 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.
Arcadia13
Saint Charles, MO17 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
Unique Experience and great exercise! My watch showed a 4 mile walk but I don’t think it was quite that long. Providence Town has a live site that shows tide activity. There are about 4 spots likely to have water at high tide. It’s a long walk on the causeway with uneven terrain. I’m 59 in shape but not overly in shape and I made it. It was an adventure and well worth the walk. I am grateful I went. It is a secluded spot. The trail was difficult to find to get to the lighthouse- easy to find back. I followed to the end of the causeway but the trail starts to the right prior to end of causeway. If you can - definitely go if you like unique experiences.
Written 3 April 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.
NewYorkCityBoy
New York City, NY58 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
Ive always wanted to walk out to the lighthouse. who knew that theres a $15 ferry that leaves from McMillan Wharf every 20 minutes that drops you off right on the beach at this secluded ocation. The ferry offers chairs and umbrellas and staff was super friendly. Not to be missed!
Written 22 July 2017
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.
Scubach
MA163 contributions
Aug 2011 • Friends
Wood End Lighthouse if the furthermost light house on the tip of Cape Cod at the entrance to the Provincetown Harbor.
This is the locale where the PILGRIM's REALLY FIRST LANDED on our shores!
It is accessible by rental boat, kayak, or a hike over the breaker wall at the far west end of Commercial Street.
It's a fairly strenuous walk over the breaker wall, as the huge granite blocks are just piled in a random fashion, and are not at all level, so expect ups and downs on hard stone for quite a distance, but well worth it for a chance to explore the very outer reaches of Cape Cod. The walk across the breakers itself can take up to an hour one way depending on your eagerness and fortitude.
Definitely use sunscreen and bring a hat because you will be in the wide open, with sun reflecting off the water and have lots of exposure.
Water bottle is a must if you plan to complete the walk across and some snacks or lunch. Some people only venture part way out.
When you reach the end of the breaker wall you can hike across the dunes to the ocean side or continue along the beach to the light house, or just sit and relax on the beach - another hour or two.
There are a few remnants of an ancient fort on the dunes but time has taken it's toll, and you may not see much of the foundation that is left. Occasionally harbor seals are seen within the harbor area near this beach.
Kids may find sand dollars, and abundance of periwinkle shells and the like.
At low tide, you can walk along the wall and find many starfish attached to the lower tidal stones, and the usual hermit crabs and other critters in the pools.
Once the tide turns and begins coming in, its a good idea to get the kids back out and onto either the beach or the wall again as there is a good current as the tide rises.
Not so great if you have little ones or babies in snugli's or are old enough to have bad knees!
Parking at the end of Commercial Street at the 'circle' or beginning of the breaker wall is fairly limited. There is a pay lot in the West End of Commercial as well as some on street meters that are not too far. Plenty of people bike to the start point.
Plan to spend 2- 3 hrs if you undertake the whole walk. Maybe longer if you explore the area - dunes, beach, tidal pools etc.
No bathrooms facilities! No food or drinks either except what you bring along.
This is the locale where the PILGRIM's REALLY FIRST LANDED on our shores!
It is accessible by rental boat, kayak, or a hike over the breaker wall at the far west end of Commercial Street.
It's a fairly strenuous walk over the breaker wall, as the huge granite blocks are just piled in a random fashion, and are not at all level, so expect ups and downs on hard stone for quite a distance, but well worth it for a chance to explore the very outer reaches of Cape Cod. The walk across the breakers itself can take up to an hour one way depending on your eagerness and fortitude.
Definitely use sunscreen and bring a hat because you will be in the wide open, with sun reflecting off the water and have lots of exposure.
Water bottle is a must if you plan to complete the walk across and some snacks or lunch. Some people only venture part way out.
When you reach the end of the breaker wall you can hike across the dunes to the ocean side or continue along the beach to the light house, or just sit and relax on the beach - another hour or two.
There are a few remnants of an ancient fort on the dunes but time has taken it's toll, and you may not see much of the foundation that is left. Occasionally harbor seals are seen within the harbor area near this beach.
Kids may find sand dollars, and abundance of periwinkle shells and the like.
At low tide, you can walk along the wall and find many starfish attached to the lower tidal stones, and the usual hermit crabs and other critters in the pools.
Once the tide turns and begins coming in, its a good idea to get the kids back out and onto either the beach or the wall again as there is a good current as the tide rises.
Not so great if you have little ones or babies in snugli's or are old enough to have bad knees!
Parking at the end of Commercial Street at the 'circle' or beginning of the breaker wall is fairly limited. There is a pay lot in the West End of Commercial as well as some on street meters that are not too far. Plenty of people bike to the start point.
Plan to spend 2- 3 hrs if you undertake the whole walk. Maybe longer if you explore the area - dunes, beach, tidal pools etc.
No bathrooms facilities! No food or drinks either except what you bring along.
Written 21 December 2011
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.
CATTSAR
Provincetown, MA22,620 contributions
May 2021
For those interested in seeing a lighthouse up close and personal, this is for you. The hike out and back is about 3 miles (5 km) a good portion of it is over the breakwater. It is important to know that the breakwater takes some skill and agility as it is uneven in places and requires some jumping and climbing. At the higher high tides the rocks are often wet, submerged and slick adding to the threat of injury. The views of town are amazing for this perspective. The lighthouse is to the right and easy to spot. The path can be a bit convoluted so pay attention as you pass by beach roses and beach heather. The lighthouse makes for great photo ops and there is a short blurb on the history. Just past the lighthouse is the bay side beach and a view of Truro and a nice spot to relax, sun and have some lunch. Bring it in, bring it out!!
Written 15 June 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.
DelawareHiker
Wilmington, DE31 contributions
Sept 2012 • Couples
The jetty is safest at low tide. Our guest house had the tide charts available. It is about 1 mile across the jetty and there are trails mostly on packed sand for another .5 miles to the lighthouse. We had the place to ourselves and enjoyed the view and the remote experience. At lowest tide, you can even walk across the marsh (wear water shoes or sandles), but we didn't do that. Limited parking available.
Written 12 September 2012
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.
billcarp
bridgewater59 contributions
Oct 2019
YOU'LL WANT TO TAKE THIS IN, WHEN YOU'RE IN P-TOWN. But you have to start your trek as the tide is GOING OUT. Be of sound and nimble footwork to walk out over the jetty to access this spot. (the last of the land in Massachusetts) you'll only have a short window before the "tide turns". You won't be able to make it back to terra firma unless you have a hovercraft. BUT certainly worth the effort.
Written 10 March 2020
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.
rabh2o_S4
Hampstead, NC82 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
Wood End Lighthouse is view-able from Commercial street or can be reached by walking the breakwater . Get the US Lights app for directions and history.
Written 29 May 2017
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.
PaulaCCC
Foxborough, MA10 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
Wood End and Long Point Lighthouses are accessible via Provincetown's Breakwater Rock Passage, which is a sometimes treacherous path over huge, uneven boulders. The path is over a mile long, and it took us about an hour to reach land. The rocks are solidly in place, but there are often large gaps between them requiring sure-footedness. In addition, be wary of the tides because some of the rocks will be submerged during high tide. Be mindful of the weather too because the rocks must be mighty slippery when wet. Leave your purse behind, wear proper footwear, and if you have long hair, put it in a ponytail so it doesn't blow in your face and obstruct your vision. Be mindful of these suggestions and bring a backpack with a lunch so you can relax and rejuvenate before you head back over the Breakwater.
Written 9 October 2016
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.
LaGingere
New York City, NY49 contributions
May 2013 • Friends
Don't be lazy. make your way across the breakwater. Just don't go bare foot on the breakwater, because the rough boulder surface will scratch the bottom of your feet & the hot sand will be a unpleasant surprise once you make your way into the island.
Wade in the water during low tide. Walk on the sandy pool & feel the prickly horsetail grass in the water.
See if you can find the natural gas escaping and making bubbles under water.
Most crabs are dead, but some may be alive and small.
Watch out for jelly fish.
Even in high tide you can still wade in the water to the north side - be mindful of current.
Take your time to take in the fragrant air scented by the wild roses.
We saw family with fishing poles hanging out by the light house.
Wade in the water during low tide. Walk on the sandy pool & feel the prickly horsetail grass in the water.
See if you can find the natural gas escaping and making bubbles under water.
Most crabs are dead, but some may be alive and small.
Watch out for jelly fish.
Even in high tide you can still wade in the water to the north side - be mindful of current.
Take your time to take in the fragrant air scented by the wild roses.
We saw family with fishing poles hanging out by the light house.
Written 3 June 2013
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.
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