5 lighthouses across North America that you can rent on Airbnb

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Lighthouses are an ideal retreat; if only we could all live by the ocean, with stunning views and delicious fresh fish at every turn. August 7th is national lighthouse day, so here is a list of charming heritage lighthouses for rent across North America. Find them on Airbnb to experience the magic firsthand!

Salmon River (Selkirk) Lighthouse

Lighthouse in Salmon River.

Photo courtesy of Airbnb

This unique lighthouse, found in Pulaski, New York, is full of historic charm. It was built in 1838 and sits on the Salmon River harbor where it shines out over Lake Ontario. Unlike other lighthouses, the beacon is actually right on top of the living quarters, and has a rare bird-cage lantern design.

Feel free to bring the whole family because this space can accommodate eight people comfortably. Guests can enjoy the waterfront views, watch local fishermen at the dock, rent a boat, or head to the beach on the other side of the river. And don’t worry if it rains; you can just get cozy next to the fireplace, or watch the ever-changing weather over the lake.

Hardy’s Channel Lighthouse

Hardy’s Channel Lighthouse

Photo courtesy of Airbnb

This lighthouse is found on a secluded three-acre peninsula in Ellerslie on Prince Edward Island. The 800 feet of waterfront stretching out across in front is the perfect spot to enjoy amazing sunsets. While this three-storey lighthouse, built in 1877, is now decommissioned, the charm is still going strong.

Guests can stay in the three-bedroom cottage attached to the lighthouse, enjoying the immense living space, working stone fireplace, and breakfast nook. The cottage can accommodate up to eight people, and there is more than enough room for everyone. There is also an outdoor fire-pit, tree swings, a shallow beach perfect for swimming, a plethora of wildlife, and a microbrewery opening soon just down the street!

Wings Neck Lighthouse

Wings Neck Lighthouse.

Photo courtesy of Airbnb

Formerly a US Coast Guard Lighthouse, Wings Neck was built in 1849 in Pocasset, Massachusetts. The lighthouse is attached to the keeper’s cottage, a beautifully renovated home that will charm anyone you bring along. Just steps away from a private beach, and only a one-hour drive from Boston, this lighthouse is the perfect spot to get away.

Guests will stay in the attached home, which accommodates eight people, and is joined to the lighthouse by a breezeway. Climb the mahogany spiral staircase to the top and enjoy a 360-degree view of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding wildlife. The two-acre yard is also a great place to have some outdoor fun and enjoy the stunning sunsets.

Baywatch Lighthouse

Baywatch Lighthouse.

Photo courtesy of Airbnb

Found in Brackley Beach, Prince Edward Island, this unusual lighthouse will delight everyone, and is especially exciting for kids or those with lighthouse obsessions. The suite, which accommodates up to seven people, is on the ground level, and the lighthouse is easily accessible right up the stairs. The view from the top deck provides a picturesque look at the red cliffs and sandy beaches below.

Guests will love the authentic nature of the lighthouse, and will have fun playing games and spending time in the lighthouse room at the top of the tower. The lighthouse is located only minutes from Charlottetown, so there are art galleries, amusement parks, gold courses, and horseback riding all within a short distance.

Five Finger Lighthouse

Five Finger Lighthouse.

Photo courtesy of Airbnb

This is where you go when you are looking for the real, rustic, middle-of-nowhere lighthouse experience. Found in Petersburg, Alaska, the Five Finger Lighthouse is truly one-of-a-kind. Not only is it a working lighthouse—it was manned until 1984 by the Coast Guard, but is now an active research station run by the Juneau Lighthouse Association—it is also only accessible by boat, seaplane, or helicopter. If you love adventure travel, this lighthouse is for you.

Guests have to carry their own baggage over the barnacles and sea kelp that cover the rocky coastline, and should be prepared for power outages, inconsistent Wi-Fi, and delays due to bad weather. Although you can’t swim—the water is too cold—you will have ample opportunities to see humpback whales, seals, sea lions, eagles, ducks, and other wildlife around the island. If you don’t feel like one of the original lighthouse keepers by the end of your stay, then you never will.


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