FAQS

Goose Rocks is not an inn or B&B.  Goose Rocks is, however, available for visits through a partnership between the non-profit organization, Beacon Preservation, Inc. and the management of Parrish House, Inc., whose mission is to restore and preserve Goose Rocks to a "habitable lighthouse keeper's quarters and museum" for visitors to enjoy. Goose Rocks is an offshore lighthouse completely surrounded by water, so –depending on time of year-- access can be extremely treacherous and must be carefully controlled to ensure the safety of visitors and protection of the immediate environment... [ more ]

Goose Rocks has sanitary facilities and "keepers' quarters" that most comfortably accommodate up to six people (in its two bedrooms and one bunkroom: see description of Goose Rocks), although a maximum of eight people can be allowed with prior permission. Under no circumstances will more overnight guests be permitted due to the constraints of our composting toilet system and the limited ability to evacuate visitors in case of an emergency.

First, remember that Goose Rocks offers several free "Lighthouse Day" Open House events each summer. Check our website often for exact dates, as they are often determined on short notice depending on weather conditions. If you do not have a boat or kayak to come to Goose Rocks on Lighthouse Day, check with Foy Brown at the J.O. Brown Boatyard (just next to North Haven's ferry terminal) for boat transportation to and from Goose Rocks... [ more ]

By arrangement, Goose Rocks can be available for SMALL private or commercial events, but would require an additional donation. Contact us to discuss.

• SMALL Weddings (eight people maximum)
• Film location / video shoots
• Fashion / Magazine Photo Shoots
• Executive Retreats or Environmental Training Seminars
• Writers' Groups or Artists' Sanctuary / Photography Workshop, etc.

Access to Goose Rocks includes real risks, and a safe and enjoyable visit is always dependent on guests' physical and mental ability to climb a vertical ladder (from a boat) to the catwalk for initial access. Even with spotters and handlers on the boat and ladder landing, there is always a risk of losing balance or slipping. Strong and hardy guests are welcome at Goose Rocks in consonance with our dedication to protecting visitor health and safety at all times... [ more ]

Sure. Email us at gooserockslighthouse@gmail.com to enquire about specific dates. We will normally get back to you within 48 hours. Alternatively, call Beacon Preservation at 207-200-6820 to discuss your travel plans. You can also see availability in our calendar.

Unfortunately, children and pets are generally not appropriate for an offshore lighthouse. Safety is our primary concern at Goose Rocks, and the naturally playful and inquisitive nature of children makes the offshore nature of Goose Rocks—particularly with its vertical ladder access and three elevated catwalks— inappropriate for children and pets during extended stays... [ more ]

Your visit to Goose Rocks will most likely start from the ferry terminal in Rockland, Maine where you take the ferry to North Haven (not Vinalhaven!), ideally on foot with a backpack (or even with your bike, which costs a few dollars more but gives you island transportation once you arrive). Go to http://www.maine.gov/mdot/msfs/northhaven.htm for ferry schedules and passenger details... [ more ]

We welcome experienced mariners and sailors who wish to use their own boat transportation to get to Goose Rocks. Still, we will arrange to meet you at North Haven Town dock to have you follow us to the lighthouse, or directly in the Fox Island Thorofare (for larger sailboats) at Goose Rocks, where we will show you how to moor your vessel for overnight stays or tie-up to the lighthouse ladder temporarily for unloading... [ more ]

The point of the Keeper's Experience is to absorb the beauty of the outdoor scenery and soak in the uniquely peaceful experience of being completely surrounded by water and nature. We encourage you to determine your own balance of relaxation and activity and plan accordingly... [ more ]

You are responsible for your own food and provisions while visiting Goose Rocks, but rest assured that all the basics are in place. The fully-equipped kitchen includes all dishes, utensils, and cookware. Basic cooking supplies (spices, oils, vinegars, salt and pepper, sugar, coffee, etc) and cleaning supplies are on hand... [ more ]

No. The keeper's experience is exactly that: a means of enjoying a simple existence of peaceful solitude just as the lighthouse keepers did in the past. Guests are expected to respect the lighthouse property and furnishings and keep all areas tidy and clean, washing their own dishes, making their own beds, and dusting or vacuuming as needed... [ more ]

Goose Rocks is a working aid to navigation, and if fog becomes so dense that there is less than a mile of visability, a fog horn on the outer catwalk of the lighthouse will be activated to warn mariners away from the ledge if they can't see the beacon through the fog. This is most likely to happen early in the morning in the spring months as the fog rolls in and the sun rises, but it should not activate at night while you're sleeping. The sound of the horn is pleasant to some, annoying to others; it activates every six seconds... [ more ]

If we determine that weather and sea conditions on North Haven render the boat transportation to Goose Rocks too risky on the day of your arrival, we will arrange to put you up on the island (at Nebo Lodge, Our Place Inn, or our own Gosling Cottage) for the time that you are 'stranded' on the island. If we have alternative dates within the calendar year available and you wish to absorb the cost of the island accommodation yourself, we will simply transfer your dates to those that are available and mutually convenient. If there is no other possible date available for your stay, we will cover the cost of your unanticipated North Haven accommodation to avoid any inconvenience or hardship to you as our donor-supporter—but there is never any refund of your "Keeper Experience" contribution to Goose Rocks' preservation.

If you cancel your reservation or fail to show up as scheduled, your Keeper's Experience is forfeited. Should you need to rearrange your scheduled stay dates prior to 30 days from your date of arrival, we will do our best to find new dates for you and reschedule your stay. If, however... [ more ]

Remember, for REAL medical emergencies you always just dial 911 from your cell phone or use Goose Rocks' radio transmitter to call for help. Though cell phone service is not terribly strong on Goose Rocks, Verizon, AT&T, and US Cellular all receive service (and the signal is stronger on the exterior decks of the lighthouse)... [ more ]