Montauk Point Lighthouse
A lighthouse of 1796 at the eastern tip of Long Island, authorised by Washington and now much closer to the sea.
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George Washington authorised the light in 1792 and it was finished in 1796, the first lighthouse built in New York State. It was set about a hundred metres back from the edge; erosion has taken most of that, and the bluff has been armoured with stone terracing since the 1940s to keep the tower from going into the sea - the work is ongoing and visible. You can climb the tower, and the museum in the keeper's quarters covers the light, the erosion fight and the wrecks off the point. The water below is where Long Island Sound meets the Atlantic and the rips are strong. Seals haul out on the rocks in winter.
What you actually see
- A tower finished in 1796 - the first lighthouse in New York State.
- Stone terracing against erosion - the bluff has been armoured since the 1940s.
- A climbable tower and museum - in the keeper's quarters.
- Seals on the rocks - in the winter months.
When to go
May to October for full opening; winter for seals. Two hours.
Honest expectations
It is the far end of Long Island - traffic in summer is heavy and slow. The tower has steep narrow stairs. Winter hours are very limited. The point is exposed and windy.
Nearby
Montauk village is west; Camp Hero is adjacent.
What to pack for Montauk Point Lighthouse
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
