Nobska Lighthouse is a short walk from Woods Hole village. One of the most popular view sites on Cape Cod, it is frequently used as the backdrop for weddings, engagements and family photos.
This hilltop marks the entrance into the Woods Hole Passage, which local yachtsmen will tell you is the dangerous channel between Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound. From here you will see ferries headed to the Vineyard, and in summer, countless pleasure boats exploring Vineyard Sound.
The Falmouth Road Race was made famous with a helicopter shot of the racers streaming past this lighthouse with the island of Martha’s Vineyard hovering behind.
First built in the 1820’s, the Nobska Lighthouse was re-built in 1876 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
Open to the public occasionally in summer time, do not miss the chance to tour the inside and see the views from the top. The schedule is posted by the US COAST GUARD who maintain the light and whose local commander gets to live in the light-keepers house. Sweet!
To walk to Nobska Light from Woods Hole, enter the bike path and pass Little Harbor on your left. The large trestle bridge that passes over head shortly thereafter is Church Street and you want to take a a dirt path on your right to cut up onto Church. Follow Church Street past the Church of the Messiah. It’s about a quarter mile or an easy 15 minute walk from the village of Woods Hole to the lighthouse. Here is a map to the Woods Hole area to help get you there.
Sunset with a bag of treats from Pie in the Sky is particularly recommended.