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Lighthouses in Rhode Island

34 lighthouses in Rhode Island with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. Newport County has the most (15). The darkest skies are at Block Island Southeast Light (Bortle 4).

Top lighthouses

Block Island Southeast LightLighthouse
Block Island Southeast LightWashington County
Prudence Island LightLighthouse
Prudence Island LightNewport County
Block Island North LightLighthouse
Block Island North LightWashington County
Plum Beach LightLighthouse
Plum Beach LightWashington County
Rose Island LightLighthouse
Rose Island LightNewport County
Bristol Ferry LightLighthouse
Bristol Ferry LightBristol County
Watch Hill LightLighthouse
Watch Hill LightWashington County
Nayatt Point LightLighthouse
Nayatt Point LightBristol County
Point Judith LightLighthouse
Point Judith LightWashington County
Newport Harbor LightLighthouse
Newport Harbor LightNewport County
Sabin Point LightLighthouse
Sabin Point LightProvidence County
Castle Hill LightLighthouse
Castle Hill LightNewport County

Lighthouses by county

All lighthouses (34)

NameCountyElevationNearest townSky
Block Island Southeast LightWashington County18 mNew Shoreham4
Prudence Island LightNewport County1 mMelville6
Block Island North LightWashington County1 mNew Shoreham4
Plum Beach LightWashington County1 mJamestown6
Rose Island LightNewport County—Jamestown7
Bristol Ferry LightBristol County4 mBristol7
Watch Hill LightWashington County4 mPawcatuck5
Nayatt Point LightBristol County2 mBarrington7
Point Judith LightWashington County—Narragansett Pier5
Newport Harbor LightTouro SynagogueNewport County—Newport7
Sabin Point LightProvidence County—Cranston7
Castle Hill LightNewport County—Jamestown6
Conimicut LightBristol County—Barrington7
Pomham Rocks LightProvidence County—East Providence8
Conanicut Island LightNewport County—Middletown6
Dutch Island LightWashington County—Jamestown6
Beavertail LighthouseNewport County—Narragansett6
Ida Lewis LightTouro SynagogueNewport County—Newport7
Sakonnet LightNewport County—Newport East5
Fuller Rock LightProvidence County—East Providence8
Hog Island Shoal LightNewport County—Portsmouth6
Warwick LightKent County—Warwick7
Brenton Reef LightNewport County—Narragansett Pier5
Bullock's Point LightBristol County—Barrington7
Sassafras Point LightProvidence County—East Providence8
Whale Rock LightWashington County—Narragansett6
Musselbed Shoals LightNewport County—Portsmouth7
Wickford Harbor LightWashington County—North Kingstown6
Poplar Point LightWashington County1 mNorth Kingstown7
Gull Rocks LightNewport County—Newport7
Gould Island LightNewport County—Middletown6
Wickford LighthouseWashington County1 mNorth Kingstown6
Fort Adams LightNewport County—Newport7
Ida Lewis Rock Light (historical)Touro SynagogueNewport County—Newport7

Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).

Map

How to photograph lighthouses

Lighthouses work at both ends of the day: blue hour when the beacon is lit, and golden hour when white towers take on warm tones.

  • During blue hour, use 5–15 second exposures to capture the beam; check whether the light is still active.
  • Shoot from the beach or a jetty to place the tower against open sky and sea.
  • Stormy weather and crashing surf add drama; keep a safe distance from waves on rocks and piers.
  • A telephoto from across a bay compresses the tower against cliffs or the moon.
  • Many lighthouses are on private or Coast Guard property — check public access and opening hours.

Season: Summer brings open towers and tours; autumn and winter offer storms, fewer crowds and lower sun angles.