Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse — Attraction in Rockland

WHEN WE DID IT: My wife and I walked out to and back from the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse starting at about 7:45 am on the morning of October 11, 2024. TIME REQUIRED: The entire round trip hike out and back along the breakwater took us about an hour, BUT we are regular walkers, in good physical shape, and we walked rather briskly at a medium-fast pace because we had a lot of other sites to see that day. The weather was absolutely beautiful (perfect), with no clouds and almost no wind blowing. I would allot at least 2 hours of your day to do this hike, so you don't get rushed and hurt yourself. ADMISSION FEE: There is ZERO admission fee, parking fee, nor even a gate that controls entrance to this 100% FREE tourist attraction. PARKING LOT: Located near the north end of the breakwater on the east side of and near the very south end of Samoset Road. It's a dirt and gravel lot (unpaved). I would estimate it will hold about 50 cars max, but nobody else was there the morning we did it, likely because it was early in the morning, and we were in the very last week of the tourist season. Once you park, you have to walk about 200 yards along a wide gravel foot path that runs along the south side of the adjacent Samoset Golf and Tennis Resort and terminates at the head (north end) of the breakwater. WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS: There is a small billboard sign at the parking lot that provides CLEAR CAUTIONARY WARNINGS about the hazards associated with doing this hike (see my attached photo of this sign). READ AND HEED these advisories! PHOTO ADVISORY NOTE: When you reach the lighthouse on your walk out to the breakwater, there are signs warning you not to walk around on the back (i.e., south) side of it because the lighthouse's poured concrete structural base/foundation was heavily damaged by giant waves during a winter storm that hit the area a few years ago. That said, you can't enter the lighthouse (it's locked and boarded up) nor can you climb up onto its foundation base area. You should plan to take your selfie photos (with the lighthouse in the background) when you are about 100-200 yards north of it as you approach it from the north, or on your way back to shore. CHILDREN: I would NOT recommend this hike be attempted with any children under the age of 8-9 years old. A hyper-active or poorly behaved child (or an older child who is accident prone or spastic) will quickly and seriously injure themselves on this breakwater because of the serious slip and fall hazards. Every step on the breakwater is potentially hazardous (see my photo of the gaps between the giant granite blocks). ADA ACCESSIBILITY: The breakwater is NOT accessible to wheelchairs nor scooters. There is no central paved or smooth path that runs along the top of the breakwater. Handicapped persons should plan to see this lighthouse by an ADA equipped motor or sailing vessel, if so desired. RESTROOMS: During the morning of our visit, there were two porta-johns located on the far north and midpoint of the parking lot, one of which was "filled to the brim" and rather disgustingly dirty. I had to use the other one of the porta-johns (after we finished our walk) and it was only marginally clean. (i.e., well overdue for a pump-out and inside cleaning). Fortunately, I had packed my own toilet paper as well. I'd bring your own toilet paper and some sanitary wipes for the toilet seat...

This walk on the breakwater in Rockland , Maine to the lighthouse is one you don’t want to miss! If your ever in the area or driving through stop and experience it!

There is ample parking in the lot and a few handicap spots closer to the start of breakwater. From the parking area to the lighthouse is 1.9 miles so be prepared it’s a decent walk.

As you walk from the parking area there is a small park with picnic tables and it’s wooded or sheltered from the sun. As you leave that area you take a small path adjacent to the water and a beach area that is revealed in low tide. There are a few benches along the way to sit and enjoy the view of Rockland bay , the breakwater and the lighthouse.

As you start onto the breakwater itself you’ll quickly learn it takes a bit of coordination! It’s made of of small , medium and huge granite slabs that you’ll need to navigate as there are spaces between them that also range from small, medium to large! You definitely need to carefully watch where you step!

As your making your way down the breakwater keep your eyes out around you as you will most likely see beautiful sail boats and yachts! Definitely a plus to the walk!

The lighthouse itself is not open anymore. The organization that used to care for and offer tours has now aged out and no one has taken it over. Definitely a sad situation! However you can walk around the perimeter of the lighthouse and up onto its deck and explore it from the outside. It’s very cool! Also great photo opportunities with the backdrop!

Keep your eyes out for seals as we saw one on our trip out. Be safe on your journey in and out but enjoy it! This one’s...

It’s fantastic to be able to walk out to the lighthouse, but it should come with some legitimate caution, as I’ve witnessed many, MANY accidents.

The walk may be longer than you are anticipating, so make sure you not only time it correctly with the tides (I’ve watched people who were stuck and terrified as the water began to cover the rocks when they were near the lighthouse, freaking out about how or if they would make it back, AND be prepared if the weather is very hot or very cold. Some people are simply not capable of navigating an uneven rock path when their body is fighting the elements.

Speaking of which: Watch your step! I can’t tell you how many people trip and fall because they are looking at the beauty around them. This is understandable but holy cow - with large, sharp gaps between some of the rocks you really don’t want to be the one bloodied and injured who needs the rescue team to take you out on a stretcher or dingy!

Kids and pets - please for the love of being an aware human - if you have one of these (or both) this is not the place to let them be free range! I’ve seen poor fur babies fall in the cracks and enthusiastic kids mow down other walkers. As you know, many kids/dogs lack the awareness it takes to stay safe, so it’s up to you to take responsibility for your little family unit when playing with others.

With all that said, it’s worth braving, especially if you’re lucky enough to admire some sea otters frolicking...