Egg Rock Lighthouse

Egg Rock Lighthouse is a historic Maine lighthouse situated on a small island in the middle of Frenchman Bay, just offshore from Bar Harbor. Unlike many lighthouses that can be visited on foot, Egg Rock is accessible only by water, making a boat tour the essential way to experience it. The lighthouse itself was built in 1875 and has guided maritime traffic through Frenchman Bay for over a century, and its remote island setting gives it a dramatic, unspoiled appeal that mainland lighthouses cannot match.

For families, the best way to see Egg Rock is aboard one of Bar Harbor's whale watch or puffin cruise tours, most of which pass close to the lighthouse as part of their route into the open waters of Frenchman Bay. The island is home to a significant Atlantic puffin colony during summer months, alongside razorbills, common murres, and other seabirds — making Egg Rock a dual destination that combines lighthouse history with genuine wildlife spectacle. Children who spot their first Atlantic puffin from a boat deck with the lighthouse silhouetted behind it will have an indelible Maine memory.

Binoculars are essential for getting the most from the experience. Tour operators typically provide commentary on the lighthouse's history and the seabird colony as boats approach. Book whale watch or puffin cruises well in advance for July and August visits, as these tours are among the most popular activities departing from Bar Harbor's busy waterfront.