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• Rockland Breakwater

Rockland Breakwater & Breakwater Light - over 700,000 tons of granite blocks

A favorite local attraction, the Rockland Breakwater and Lighthouse is a good choice for an interesting walk as well as providing a different kind of outdoor experience when visiting the Camden area. The Rockland Breakwater is rich in history and has been critically important to Rockland Harbor since it was built. The breakwater is just under a mile long and is a beautiful and scenic walk on sunny days. However, during bad weather, waves often crash over the granite breakwater which can make the walk a very wet one. At the end of the pier, you get a stunning panoramic view of Rockland as well as a glimpse of Owls Head Light at the entrance of Rockland Harbor on the western side of Penobscot Bay.

The Rockland Breakwater was built with over 700,000 tons of granite at a price of $750,000 and took almost two decades to complete (1881-1899). It was built because in the 1850's, several big storms from the northeast caused an extreme amount of damage to the inner parts of Rockland Harbor. Without the breakwater, it would be impossible for Rockland Harbor to fulfill its potential as a commercial port and working harbor.

The Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse at the end of the pier was not built until 1902 and is still used today. At one point, the Coast Guard had planned on destroying the lighthouse, however after a large public outcry, the Samoset Resort took over the upkeep of the building. In 1998, the Rockland City Council took over the property under the Maine Lights Program. In fact, the emblem and letterhead of the City of Rockland bears the image and symbol of the Rockland Breakwater Light.

Rockland Breakwater - nearly a mile long hike out into the bay and Rockland Harbor

The Rockland Breakwater is open to the public every day. You can visit the lighthouse by walking across the mammoth granite blocks that make up the breakwater. The granite blocks were cut precisely to fit and were placed end-to-end in water up to 70 feet deep and traversing 7/8th of a mile to the end of the granite pier. On weekends during the summer months, the Rockland Breakwater Light hosts an open house. During the rest of the week visitors pour into the lighthouse to see an excellent museum featuring memorabilia from the U.S. Coast Guard. The Rockland Breakwater is a great place to go saltwater ground fishing as it provides shelter and the perfect habitat for many saltwater groundfish like rock bass and sand sharks.

Any local will tell you that the best views for photographing the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse are from the water itself. If you do not want to travel on any of the boats and schooners that frequent the harbor, there are daily ferries from Rockland to Vinalhaven and to North Haven that pass close by. The ferries run hourly during the day from the Maine State ferry terminal located in Rockland Harbor nearby.

Walking the Rockland Breakwater - a few important points to bear in mind

When crossing the Rockland Breakwater to the Lighthouse, it is important to keep several things in mind. As you embark on this fantastic walk, treat it like you would a hike through the nearby woods and state parks.

There is no running water at the lighthouse, which means no bathrooms. However, during the summer months there is a port-a-potty available. This also means that you need to bring water for yourself and your pets just like a hike. You also need to make sure to wear appropriate shoes. The walk totals almost 2 miles, including the return trip. Granite also can become very slick when it gets wet, so pay attention. There are also some gaps between the blocks that can trip you up if you are not paying attention.

Finally, you should always dress for cooler weather than what you feel at the harbor because there is always a cool breeze on the breakwater. There is also a noticeable decrease in temperature as you approach the lighthouse because, remember, it is nearly a mile out into the bay.