The Light on the Fox Islands Thorofare
Browns Head Light sits on the northwest tip of Vinalhaven, the largest of the Fox Islands out in Penobscot Bay. It marks the southern side of the western entrance to the Fox Islands Thorofare, the busy strait of water that separates Vinalhaven from neighboring North Haven. Boats threading between the two islands have steered by this light for nearly two centuries, and from the grounds you look straight out over that working channel toward the green ridge of North Haven across the way.
A light station first went into operation here in 1832. The cylindrical granite tower you see today dates to 1857 and stands 18 feet tall, with the light around 37 feet above the sea. It is connected by a short covered passageway to the wood-frame keeper’s house. The station was automated in 1987 and remains an active aid to navigation, and it is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places as a well-preserved example of a pre-Civil War lighthouse complex.
Visiting and Viewing
The grounds at Browns Head are open to the public. You can walk out to the point, take photos, and take in the sweeping bay views, but the tower interior is not open and the keeper’s house is a private residence, so keep your visit to the open grounds and the shoreline. This is a grounds-and-views stop rather than a tower climb, and the setting earns the trip on its own.
What makes it worth the ferry ride is the position. The light looks out over the Thorofare, one of the prettiest stretches of protected water on the coast, alive with lobster boats, sailboats, and the small ferry that runs between the islands. On a clear day the view stretches across the bay, and the foreground of granite shore and spruce gives it the classic midcoast frame.
Wildlife & bird watching
Browns Head is at the far end of the island from the ferry landing in Carver’s Harbor, so you need wheels once you are on Vinalhaven. Bring a bike on the ferry or a car, and budget time for the drive across the island. Vinalhaven rewards a slow day, so plan the lighthouse as one stop among the quarries, town, and shore rather than a quick in-and-out.
Getting There
Vinalhaven is reached by the Maine State Ferry from the Rockland terminal on US Route 1. The crossing takes about 75 minutes and runs daily year-round. From Portland the drive to Rockland is around two hours; from Bangor, about an hour and a half, plus the ferry.
Once on the island, the ferry lands at Carver’s Harbor on the south end. From there, drive or bike across the island to Browns Head Light Road, which runs out to the lighthouse at the northwest tip. Parking near the light is limited, so be considerate of the residence and the neighbors.
When to Visit
Spring
The ferry runs year-round and the grounds are open, but island services are limited until the season ramps up. Cool, quiet, and uncrowded.
Summer
Warm weather, the busiest ferry schedule, and the liveliest Thorofare boat traffic. The best time to make a full day of Vinalhaven.
Fall
Clear air, fewer visitors, and color across the bay. A fine season for the crossing and the shore views, with shorter days.
Winter
The ferry still runs, but the island is quiet and the point is cold and exposed. A stark, beautiful visit for the hardy.
Summer is the natural choice for a Vinalhaven day trip, with the fullest ferry schedule and warm weather. Fall is quieter and clear, with the bonus of bay-edge foliage.
Packing List
Browns Head Light Visit
- Ferry reservation or early arrival at the Rockland terminal
- A bike or car for the ride across Vinalhaven
- Binoculars for Thorofare boat traffic
- Camera
- A windbreaker (the point is exposed)
- Food and water (island services are limited)
FAQ
Can you visit Browns Head Light?
Yes. The grounds are open to the public for walking and photography, with sweeping views over the Fox Islands Thorofare. The tower interior is not open and the keeper's house is a private residence.
How do you get to Browns Head Light?
Take the Maine State Ferry from Rockland to Vinalhaven, about a 75-minute crossing that runs year-round. From the ferry landing at Carver's Harbor, drive or bike across the island to Browns Head Light Road at the northwest tip.
When was Browns Head Light built?
A light station was established here in 1832, and the present granite tower dates to 1857. It stands 18 feet tall, was automated in 1987, and is still an active aid to navigation.
Do you need a car on Vinalhaven to see the light?
Effectively yes. The light is at the far northwest end of the island from the ferry landing, so bring a bike or a car on the ferry to get there.
What is the Fox Islands Thorofare?
It is the protected strait of water between Vinalhaven and North Haven. Browns Head Light marks the southern side of its western entrance, and the channel is busy with lobster boats and sailboats.
Spend the rest of the day exploring Vinalhaven Island, or catch the famous Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse back on the mainland before the ferry.
