New Hampshire has the shortest coastline of any coastal state in the contiguous United States, just 18 miles of Atlantic shoreline. But those 18 miles contain two lighthouses with histories that reach back to before the American Revolution, and the stories attached to them rival anything you’ll find along Maine’s much longer coast. Throw in three unexpected inland lights on the shores of Lake Sunapee, and New Hampshire turns out to be a more rewarding lighthouse destination than most travelers expect.
Here’s what to know before you go.
New Hampshire’s Coastal Lighthouses
Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse has been guiding ships into the Piscataqua River since 1771, making it the first light station established north of Boston in the American colonies. The site has a direct connection to the American Revolution: in December 1774, Paul Revere rode from Boston to Portsmouth to warn the colonists of British plans, triggering two raids on December 14 and 15 in which colonists seized gunpowder and cannon that were later used at the Battle of Bunker Hill. The lighthouse, built inside that same fort, went dark during the war years and was not relit until 1784.
The current tower, a 48-foot cast-iron structure built in 1878, replaced two earlier wooden versions on the same site. It was actually assembled inside the old 1804 tower, which was then removed around the new one. Today it emits a fixed green light visible 12 nautical miles and sits within the active U.S. Coast Guard Station at Fort Constitution in New Castle.
A note on tower access: A storm in December 2022 destroyed the wooden walkway that connects the shore to the lighthouse, and subsequent storms in January 2024 caused further damage to the base of the structure. Tower tours, which the Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses had offered every Sunday from late May through mid-October, are suspended until the walkway is rebuilt. A fundraising campaign is underway. Until then, the best land-based view of the lighthouse is from Great Island Common, the town park on Route 1B in New Castle, which offers clear sightlines across the harbor to the tower. The lighthouse is also well-seen from the water on any of the harbor and Isles of Shoals cruises departing from Portsmouth.
The Fort Constitution grounds themselves remain open during daylight hours and are worth exploring even without tower access. The fortifications date to the early 18th century and the site offers views across the harbor mouth toward Maine.
Best for: History enthusiasts, Revolutionary War buffs, travelers combining a lighthouse stop with a day in Portsmouth.
Six miles offshore from Portsmouth, White Island sits at the southernmost point of the Isles of Shoals, a small archipelago split between New Hampshire and Maine. The lighthouse here was first established in 1820, and the current granite tower dates to 1859, replacing the original structure that the harsh Atlantic weather had badly deteriorated. It remains an active aid to navigation, automated since 1986 and managed by New Hampshire State Parks since 1993.
White Island has a literary connection that sets it apart from most lighthouses. In the 1840s, the keeper was Thomas Laighton, a former New Hampshire state senator who moved his family to the island after losing a gubernatorial race, vowing never to return to the mainland. His daughter Celia, who grew up on the island and later became one of the most celebrated American poets of the 19th century, drew deeply on her childhood years at the lighthouse in her writing. Her 1873 book Among the Isles of Shoals, a collection of prose essays originally published in the Atlantic Monthly, remains the definitive account of life on these islands.
White Island is not accessible to casual visitors by ferry. The island is a New Hampshire State Historic Site, technically open to those arriving by private boat, though landing is complicated by nesting seabirds in summer. The practical option for most visitors is a narrated cruise from Portsmouth that passes close by the lighthouse. The Isles of Shoals Steamship Company runs regular trips out to the archipelago from May through October, with stopovers at nearby Star Island where you can get good views of White Island Light from shore.
Best for: Offshore scenery, literary history, travelers combining a cruise with a Star Island visit.
Bonus: The Lake Sunapee Lighthouse Trail
Most visitors don’t know that New Hampshire has three additional lighthouses sitting entirely inland, on the shores of Lake Sunapee in the western part of the state. Burkehaven Light, Loon Island Light, and Herrick Cove Light are small historic structures that once guided boats across this mountain lake, and all three can be seen on a narrated cruise aboard the M/V Mount Sunapee II, departing from Sunapee Harbor. It’s a completely different kind of lighthouse experience from the coastal variety, and a worthwhile detour if you’re spending time in the Lakes Region or White Mountains. Check the Lake Sunapee Protective Association for current cruise schedules.
Seeing the Lighthouses by Boat
Given that one of New Hampshire’s two coastal lighthouses is offshore and the other currently has no walkway access, a boat cruise is the most rewarding way to see both in a single outing. Several operators run regular trips from Portsmouth.
Isles of Shoals Steamship Company runs narrated harbor and island cruises from its dock at 315 Market Street in Portsmouth, May through October. Their Isles of Shoals trips pass Portsmouth Harbor Light, Whaleback Light (just across the Maine border), and White Island Light, with the option to stop and explore Star Island. It’s the most comprehensive lighthouse cruise in the area and the one most visitors opt for.
Portsmouth Harbor Cruises offers harbor tours and sunset cruises from 64 Ceres Street in Portsmouth, with views of Portsmouth Harbor Light and Whaleback Light. Their Isles of Shoals trips include close views of White Island.
The Five Lighthouse Cruise, run annually in September by the Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses aboard the M/V Granite State, is the area’s most extensive lighthouse outing, covering White Island Light, Portsmouth Harbor Light, Whaleback Light, Cape Neddick Nubble Light, and Boon Island Light in a single morning. It departs from Rye Harbor State Marina. Check the Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses website for current scheduling.
Planning Your New Hampshire Lighthouse Visit
Pair with Portsmouth: The city of Portsmouth is one of the most rewarding small cities in New England and makes an excellent base for a lighthouse day trip. Strawbery Banke, the outdoor living history museum in the South End, Prescott Park along the waterfront, and the city’s concentration of independent restaurants and shops all make a strong case for an overnight stay.
Getting to Fort Constitution: From central Portsmouth, follow Route 1B through New Castle to the Coast Guard Station. Parking is available at the Fort Constitution lot before the station gate. Walk through the gate and follow the blue line to the fort. Do not enter Coast Guard buildings or facilities.
Best time to visit: Late May through October for boat cruise access and the full range of harbor tours. Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse and the Fort Constitution grounds are viewable year-round, weather permitting. The Isles of Shoals are most accessible June through September.
Tower tour status: Check the Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses website before visiting for the latest on tower access. The organization is actively fundraising to rebuild the walkway, and tours may resume once construction is complete.
New Hampshire may offer the shortest lighthouse itinerary in New England by sheer numbers, but Portsmouth Harbor Light’s Revolutionary War history and White Island’s literary legacy give it a depth that larger lighthouse states don’t always match. Browse the full New Hampshire lighthouses guide for a complete directory of lights in the state. For travelers heading up the coast, the Maine lighthouse guide covers everything from Portland Head to West Quoddy Head. Or explore the neighboring state guides for Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. For a broader overview of the region’s highlights, the New England lighthouse guide is the place to start.
