Nauset Light
Nauset Light
4.5
About
Free tours of the light are normally offered from May to October. This year the light will be open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. Going up into the tower may require masks or be suspended because of COVID19 limitations. Visit the Nauset Light Preservation Society website, nausetlight.org, or Facebook page for updates.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.5
445 reviews
Excellent
256
Very good
146
Average
36
Poor
7
Terrible
0
Maltipoo16
New York1,843 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
Nauset Light was absolutely stunning. The path we took to access the lighthouse was from three sisters lighthouses, as that was the only parking spot available. The parking at Nauset Light is limited to around 20 or so spots due to bathhouse construction. The park rangers we encountered were very friendly and helpful. Pro tip, walk over to the grassy area overlooking the beach. It’s a cliff, so be careful, but the view is absolutely stunning.
Written 21 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.
theoljohnnyboy
New Florence, PA1,560 contributions
Sept 2022
Not too often that you visit somewhere so well known. I took my bag of chips with me and enjoyed them sitting on a bench in front of the tower. Parking seemed to be only available at the beach lot that carries a fee depending on the time of year, or at the three sisters display followed by a bit of a walk in. Tours and so forth are limited so check their website in advance. Nice area.
Written 16 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.
RjessMMM
Vancouver, WA561 contributions
Mar 2022
Our favorite lighthouse to visit during our drive from Boston to Provincetown. There is a NPS stop on the way there so if you need to use the bathroom, definitely stop so you don’t have to back track. There was remodeling going on when we were there so there were no bathroom facilities. Looks like they will be open this summer. There was a lot of parking but this was also a weekday in March. I bet this place is packed during the summer. You can get all the way to the lighthouse which was wonderful. Lots of plaques to read about the history. Nice pathway to the beach. There is a separate pathway to the lighthouse from the parking lot through the woods or you can walk in the road. Definitely do the latter. When we got back to the car we found a tick on our dog which made us a bit paranoid about Lyme disease for us and necessitated a quick check of our skin. Fortunately there were none. Would definitely return. Enjoy.
Written 9 April 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.
PaleoGypsy
Philadelphia, PA2,347 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
No bathrooms exist here because they are being completely being rebuilt from the ground up. Very few parking spaces exist due to the fenced, construction zone. Have a Plan B so as to not be disappointed when you cannot park. Other than that, learn of the history of the area. Look at the lighthouse. Watch for seals and birds.
Written 29 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.
Courtney M
Connecticut40 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
We loved this lighthouse. The area is very scenic and you can walk right up to it and take some great photos. The neighboring beach was beautiful to walk along and we even saw a seal/sea lion (not sure which) swimming in the water! And better yet, if you come after 4pm during peak season you don’t have to pay for parking. Another added bonus is the three sisters lighthouses is a very short walk from this one which I hadn’t realized prior to our visit. Highly recommend stopping if you enjoy sightseeing different lighthouses.
Written 6 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.
everyones-a-critic
Boston, MA102 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
We stopped in the lot for the beach and took the short walk to the lighthouse. There is a bit of a hill to climb for anyone who has mobility challenges. This is the Cape Cod Potato Chip lighthouse and an icon of the cape. Under normal circumstances there are tours but due to COVID they are on hiatus. There are a lot of great informational boards all around the world lighthouse. Also featured are the oil house and the keepers house which is a private residence so stay off that. A nice piece of history.
Written 25 September 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.
nowpacking
Dallas, TX3,783 contributions
June 2024 • Couples
Built in 1877 in Chatham and moved to Eastham in 1923, the present Nauset Lighthouse, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is made of cast iron with a brick lining and stands 48 feet high. In the 1940s, Nauset Lighthouse was painted red and white as a daytime indicator. The lighthouse has been moved back from the shoreline several times as the ever changing shore eroded over the years. In 1996 it was moved 300 feet across the road to its present location.
Written 6 July 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.
Jonathan M
Tuxedo Park, NY644 contributions
June 2023
While other lights might be taller or more impressive, it is hard to beat the Nauset light for an informative experience. Privately owned and managed by volunteers, we really enjoyed our tour and climb to the top. A small donation allows you to choose from a nice variety of keepsakes.
Written 4 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.
Jodybacf
Columbia, MD21 contributions
Sept 2022
We were so lucky to plan our trip on a day the lighthouse was open for tours. Docents were very knowledgeable and helpful. You can really see the locals are quite interested in preserving the history of the lighthouses. This one is very well-kept and easy to get to.
Written 28 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.
Colleen C
Middleton, WI290 contributions
Oct 2021
The Nauset Light, featured on the bag of Cape Cod Kettle Chips, is a historical treasure. Though it was being restored when we were there, you could still see the lighthouse. It needed a lot of TLC, but it will be beautiful again once it's done. There is a path to the beach close by, which was fun, too.
Written 11 January 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.
Which beach is best for Jody surfing if you want big waves?
Written 17 August 2023
is parking free?is it a separate lot from nauset beach or is it the same? thanks!
Written 16 March 2020
Park at the Nauset Light Beach paring lot and walk over to Nauset Light. The National Seashore won't charge for parking until mid to late May. In the summer season there is a a charge for parking until 5 pm. If you t are there when there is a tour of the light, parking is free.
Written 17 March 2020
Right now the 1986 beacons are shut off. The N.L.P.S. is replacing worn out parts. We will have it up and running as soon as the work is completed.Normally Nauset Light is lit 24/7 year round.
Written 15 August 2017
Is there a difference between Nauset Light Beach and Nauset Beach or are they the same beach? We always thought that the light house was right by Nauset Beach, but upon further investigation we discovered that the light house may actually be 30 minutes away from Nauset Beach on a different beach? A little bit confused over here, if anybody can please help :)
Written 6 August 2017
To add to the previous answer from Denise, Nauset Beach is in East Orleans while Nauset Light Beach is in Eastham. (The shallow beach referenced on the inner Cape is Skaket Beach in Orleans.)
I have not gone to the beach at Nauset Light but parked in the lot there to tour the lighthouse. We usually go to Nauset Beach, since we stay in East Orleans right on Beach Road. It's a good beach with a very active snack bar/restaurant, and they have music performances on Monday nights and some Thursdays in the summer. We ate our dinner there on the picnic benches on the Monday we arrived and stayed for some of the concert at the gazebo.
Written 7 August 2017
Dogs are allowed on the site if they are controlled as the National Seashore requires. They are not allowed in the tower itself.
Written 15 August 2017
Do you have to pay to park or pay to get on the beach to visit this lighthouse?
Written 24 May 2017
We shift the time of the tours to 4:30 - 7:30 pm this Sunday, May 28 so that you can tour Nauset Light without paying to park. If you arrive early while the booth is still manned, tell them you are there to tour the light and they will let you park for free. We will start having tours on Tuesdays and Wednesday as well as Sundays on July 4th.
Written 24 May 2017
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