Southeast Lighthouse

Our last stop before heading back to New Shoreham to return back to New London was the Southeast Lighthouse. After biking over some pretty gnarly (at least to me) hills riding from Mansion Beach (our lunch stop) to the lighthouse — it felt good to stretch our legs and explore the grounds and the lighthouse itself.
In contract to Block Island’s other lighthouse, the Southeast Lighthouse does allow patrons to actually go to the top and take in some spectacular views of the ocean and island itself. It can get cramped but if you have the opportunity I definitely suggest plunking down the $ 10 admission and take a walk up the winding staircase to the top. It’s also cool to read about how the lighthouse itself was moved back from the cliffs (several 100 feet I believe) due to the eroding cliffs.
If you choose not to, the grounds itself are gorgeous and it’s definitely another good option to eat a picnic lunch that you might have brought with you (possibly from the Block Island Grocery) or snag from the food truck that was parked in the parking lot.
Plenty of bike and a fair number of car parking spots. There is no beach access however (think cliffs) but if you head to the Mohegan Bluffs — you can make your way to the rocky beach.

For a small fee, you can take a tour of the Southeast Lighthouse in Block Island. There’s a lot of history there, and it had to be move back 300 feet in 1993, as the bluffs have eroded. The best part of the tour was getting to go all the way to the top, where the Fresnel lens is. This is a real treat, as lighthouse tours normally stop just below that level. The view from there was awesome.

The lighthouse was closed to the public but we visited the grounds and took pictures. It used to be on the edge of the cliff, but moved a couple hundred feet back due to erosion. Made with brick and very charming.

4 stars only bcz you cannot enter the lighthouse.
However, it’s a beautiful sturdy brick lighthouse w an amazing view in really nice condition. Victorian style home attached.
The grounds are well maintained.
The views are spectacular — 180 degree facing field view of the Atlantic. The view of the Mohegan Bluffs to the right are quite impressive too!
Definately check this out if your on the island!
No restrooms. Bike or taxi in– the walk is a bit much if your not a regular hiker.

Worth the visit and it’s an easy bike ride from the ferry. A private tour that gets you into the top of the lighthouse is $ 10 per person and benefits the restoration of the lighthouse building.

A beautiful piece of history. A must see on the island. Stop into the lighthouse and be greeted by friendly historians that are eager to teach you about the lighthouse, like that it was moved inland at one point to escape peril of falling off a cliff.
Take a stroll around the grounds and take in the awesome views.

You have to see this if you come to Block Island. They moved the whole thing back as one piece some years ago, Thought the whole thing was going to come down. Sweet views of everything and you can even go inside for a small price.

A
very
special
lighthouse
Southeast Lighthouse is a unique lighthouse constructed in Italianate and Gothic Revival style. Most lighthouse are clones and have several others that look pretty much the same. Southeast stands alone; there is no other lighthouse that looks similar.
It was built in 1875 and has a giant first order Fresnel Lens and is still used today as a aid to navigation. It stands high on a clay cliff that has a absolutely stunning view of the ocean. The lighthouse has a gift shop and a little museum that has a wealth of fascinating information about the history of the light.
The light was original 300 feet from the cliffs but storms eroded the clay until the light was only 50 feet from the edge and in danger of tumbling into the sea, So in 1993 it was jacked up and moved back on rails to it’s present location over 300 feet away. Restorations continued in 2003 to the porch and outside of the light until it now looks similar to when it was build. The Historical Society has detailed info on the incredible move.
It you enjoy lighthouses, or even if you don’t, this is the one lighthouse you have to see.