LONG ISLAND, NY, LIGHTHOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY

We journeyed to Long Island specifically to photograph its iconic lighthouses under the Milky Way. But several things went wrong. That’s why we do this work—we make the mistakes first. We troubleshoot the problems. And then we advise you. The photography gods usually smile upon us. But every now and then, we forget to leave our offerings at their altar. lol…

Long Island is home to many lighthouses along its coastline. Some of these sentinels stand on isolated shoals or small islands, requiring a boat to reach them with your equipment, making land-based tripod photography impossible. However, if you have a drone and are not in a State Park, you may be able to get some shots.

This article focuses on the land-based lighthouses. We crammed multiple lighthouses into a short journey. We suggest taking several days to explore the area, including by boat, where there are tours. We packed many into a trip that was too short.

Article is not AI generated. We traveled here showingPamela Goodyer and her camera.

We are going to go back out and finish photographing all the lighthouses we missed in the next few weeks. There will be more articles to follow.

PHOTOGRAPHING LIGHTHOUSES IN LONG ISLAND

Here are some basics.

WHEN TO GO

You can go at any time. But the most pleasant time to go is when the weather is generally good, of course. We suggest that when going to the east side of Long Island, you go during the week of the month, so that you can photograph the Milky Way, should the opportunity arise for you.

Time of Day to Photograph:

The best time of day to photograph varies with each lighthouse’s orientation. For east-facing structures, morning light bathes the facade; west-facing ones glow during sunset. Our first lighthouse, below, shows that we arrived precisely when the harsh midday sun created blown-out highlights and deep, unflattering shadows across the entire structure. We like to show you when to go, but this trip involved several lighthouses, many miles of travel, and traffic.

PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR TO BRING

Camera
Tripod
Wide Angle Lens & a Zoom Lens
Polarizing Filter
Neutral Density Filter

WHAT ELSE TO BRING

Organic sunscreen (Non-organic sunscreen is a cancer-causer; the more it bakes into your skin, the more carcinogenic it gets).
Water and Snacks
Bug repellent

MUST HAVES & NEED TO KNOW

You will need a permit to photograph the Montauk Point lighthouse at night. This is for use when the park is closed, specifically for Milky Way night photography. PERMIT APPLICATION.

There is another one – Star Gazing Permit:
NYS Driver’s License $35
Out-of-State Driver’s License $60

Be very aware of the online camping booking system. Because the Ranger did not give us the complete information we needed, our Montauk trip was a bust. We arrived late at the lighthouse; it was our fault. We planned on camping down the street so we could spend a few hours at the lighthouse the next day. That did not happen, which is why we lack photos. Just a few of the painful details are provided in the story below, should you need them.

SEE OUR WHAT WENT WRONG SECTION AT THE BOTTOM.

Takakkaw Falls Canada Photography Location

LONG ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE LIST

After scouring the internet and finding only incomplete lighthouse directories with photography specifics, we decided to create our own definitive guide. This resource emphasizes what photographers need most. Even if you’re just a lighthouse enthusiast without a camera, you’ll appreciate it too.

This magazine exists because we grew weary of generic travel guides with flowery descriptions but zero practical information. We (partially) chalk up our disappointing expedition to the absence of reliable information—precisely why we created this magazine article. Today’s motto: “Making all the mistakes so you don’t have to.”

ACCESSIBLE LIGHTHOUSES FOR LAND-BASED PHOTOGRAPHY:

Montauk Point Lighthouse (1796) – East Long Island
Fire Island Lighthouse (1858) – South Central Long Island
Horton Point Lighthouse (1857) – North West Long Island
Eatons Neck Lighthouse (1798) – North East/Central Long Island
Sands Point Lighthouse (1809) – North West Long Island
Old Field Point (1823) – North Central Long Island
Kings Point Lighthouse (1892) – Restricted Access. Photograph from Kings Point Park at sunset.

The full list of all lighthouses, including those out to sea or on an island, is below.

Calling all seafaring boat owners: we’re seeking a generous boat owner to ferry us between these island lighthouses for our follow-up shoot. Your vessel, our cameras—together we’ll create perspectives impossible from shore. CONTACT PAGE.

MONTAUK POINT LIGHTHOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY

Address
2000 Montauk Highway
Montauk, NY 11954

For night sky enthusiasts: secure your permit (link above) and visit during peak Milky Way visibility (March – October, the week before the new moon). The rocky shoreline where we took our daytime photo transforms after dark—our failed attempt could have been your celestial masterpiece. Pack a jacket; the Atlantic breeze can get nippy even in summer. The lighthouse’s isolated position results in minimal light pollution, providing a pristine canvas for astrophotography. (The Milky Way is visible from March, in the very early a.m. hours, through October, during the new moon and ten days before. Each month it is visible at different hours.) See our Milky Way Photography Page for details.

See the dark sky map in our images. The yellow is suitable for Milky Way photography.

MONTAUK POINT LIGHTHOUSE MILKY WAY PHOTOGRAPHY

The best angles for Milky Way photos come from the rocky beach below. We recommend arriving at least an hour before your planned astro shoot to scout compositions and secure your position—the jagged rocks require careful navigation, especially in dim light. To get the right angle, you may have to step near the rocks and water. Waterproof hiking boots are a plus here. If you have a heavy-duty tripod with weights to hold it in place, you can submerge your tripod in the water to get more of the rocks and milky water effects. You will have to imagine our shot at night with the Milky Way glaring above. We had planned on camping right down the road. It did not happen. Be sure to read the camping information.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR YOUR TRIP

MORE LIGHTHOUSES BELOW – But first, let’s talk accommodations. We stumbled upon the perfect home base—a centrally located haven within striking distance of every lighthouse featured in this article.

SOUTHAMPTON LONG ISLAND HOTEL INFORMATION

Our Favorite hotel of the year so far is the Southampton Long Island Hotel. We absolutely loved our stay here. The rooms were not just clean, but immaculately so—there wasn’t a speck of dust anywhere, which really made us feel secure. The bed was so comfortable. The staff went above and beyond, and we just had a great experience. This hotel offers flexible accommodations with daily, weekly, and extended-stay options.

We left relatively early, so we were unable to get the optimum lighting in our outdoor photos.

SOUTHAMPTON LONG ISLAND HOTEL

Every room includes an en-suite bathroom, climate control, premium cable television and complimentary high-speed WiFi. During the summer months, guests enjoy the refreshing outdoor pool. We did not hear any traffic at all from the road. The hotel is situated sideways from the road, and there are many trees surrounding the grounds.

The hotel is conveniently situated in a spot where you can travel around the area and take photographs of some lighthouses and beaches. It was also a good spot to reach the Ferry that we took to our next lighthouse on our list. It is also near the Luxury Liner, Hampton Jitney, LIRR station, and regional airports. They offer competitive pricing, with specialized discounts available for groups, wedding parties, professional photography sessions, and select other events.

Patchouli Lighthouse, Long Island, looking directly into the sun.

PATCHOUGUE LIGHTHOUSE, LONG ISLAND, NY

We often travel on weekends, and the Maps estimated our arrival time as “eventually” with a shrug emoji. We timed our departure perfectly—if our goal was to arrive precisely when the sun positioned itself directly behind the lighthouse, creating a nuclear blast effect that melted our camera sensors. We arrived at high noon, and this is the result. Try to avoid arriving at noon.

This compact lighthouse transforms into a photographer’s dream when caught in the first light of dawn.

The morning sky’s palette—when it performs its daily magic—creates a backdrop worthy of gallery walls. Photography that ephemeral moment? We’d love to showcase your work (with full attribution). Feel free to send us your photos for display.

Your first stop (possibly) on your Long Island lighthouse journey on the southern side of the island. 116 Brightwood Street, Patchogue, NY 11772

HORTON LIGHTHOUSE MILKY WAY LOCATION

3575 Lighthouse Rd, Southold, NY 11971-2356

Having perfected the talent of showing up precisely when we shouldn’t, we proudly offer these masterpieces of poorly-lit lighthouses. Our visit at 11:00 a.m. proved less than ideal for photography—harsh overhead lighting transformed our potential masterpiece into a dull, backlit photo. Despite lingering until 11:30 for the staff to arrive, which never materialized, we discovered a silver lining: the hidden beach access. Look for the unassuming staircase at the end of the dead-end street where you’ll park—it leads to a stretch of shoreline worth exploring even when lighthouse conditions aren’t cooperative. Just be sure to bring your tripod down all those stairs on the first trip down and get some long exposure shots.

When we were leaving, a man arrived and opened the parking lot gate, which they close when they are not there. It appears that he never opened the Museum, so we were disappointed that we could not go in.

MILKY WAY PHOTOGRAPHY

When looking at the lighthouse from the parking lot side, you will be facing southwest, so this makes an ideal Milky Way Photography location. However, it was 11:00 a.m., and we had more to photograph, and each spot was at a distance from the others, so we didn’t get the shot. The location is marked as yellow on the Bortle dark sky map.

OLD FIELD POINT LIGHTHOUSE

Old Field Lighthouse, 207 Old Field Road, Setauket, NY 11733

Yea!! We arrived when the sun was on the front of the lighthouse at 3:30. Were the photography Gods still mad at us? Maybe not.

The gates close at 6:00, and according to the signs, there is no access to the beach. So this is not a good nighttime photography location.

Thier town webpage

We don’t delve too much into the history and facts; we focus more on photography. But if you would like to read about the lighthouse, we suggest The freinds of Lighthouses page.

US Coast Guard Station each next sign stop. No trespassing.

EATONS NECK LIGHTHOUSE

OPPS… When we conducted our research, we were unaware that it was out of commission. We visited this website, and it does not indicate that it is closed to the public. We examined the picture and added it to our list.

Flashing lights appeared in our rearview mirror just after leaving the lighthouse. “Perfect capstone to this trip gone disarray,” We muttered, pulling over. We did look suspicious, trying to find a spot to pull over and enter the following lighthouse address into the GPS.

But instead of adding to our misfortunes, the officer approached with a smile. He ended up recommending the next lighthouse photo spots, providing us with all the details. He understood that we were trying to be safe and were unsure where to pull over.

Officer Finn from the Asharoken Police Department exemplifies what community policing should look like—what could have been an uncomfortable encounter became a helpful exchange. Having spent years working in a police academy, we recognize professionalism when we see it. Thank you, Officer Finn, but when we arrived at the next lighthouse you recommended, it was dark, and the lighthouse is situated out in the water, so we could not photograph a night shot because we would need a tripod firmly on the ground next to it. We will return to get the shot when we come back to finish up all the lighthouse photography.

If you see Officer Finn, please consider buying him a cup of coffee, paying for his breakfast/lunch or simply thanking him for his service. We thank you for your service.

LIGHTHOUSE ADVENTURES

While we’ve maintained a sense of humor about our lighthouse expedition failures, we’ve also encountered a frustrating reality: online resources that promised accurate information led us astray at nearly every turn.

Between outdated operating hours, missing permit requirements, and phantom parking areas, we found ourselves wondering if these websites were written by actual visitors or merely generated by AI.

We visited a website that stated, “Eaton’s Neck Light is not just a static landmark; it’s a vibrant hub of activity throughout the year. From summer concerts to art exhibitions, there’s always something exciting happening at this beloved lighthouse.” We need to credit the author, but do they really want us to?

This experience explains why we wasted over an hour driving to a lighthouse that wasn’t accessible. Future trip planning will now require twice the preparation time as we navigate an internet increasingly polluted with AI-generated “guides” that twist facts and fabricate details. The digital wilderness has become treacherous for travelers seeking reliable information.

WE PLEDGE TO VERIFY EVERYTHING FIRST HAND

In today’s digital landscape, a single AI-generated error can spread across dozens of websites within days. If you discover any inaccuracies in our magazine, please notify us immediately—we’re committed to maintaining the reliability that brought you here.

LIGHTHOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY

EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Sturdy tripod with sandbag (Atlantic winds don’t mess around)• Wide-angle lens (14-24mm ideal for capturing both lighthouse and sky)

• Remote shutter release (essential for long exposures)

• Extra batteries (cold ocean air drains them faster)

• Headlamp with red light mode (preserves night vision)

•Flashlight (for safely navigating the rocky shore)

• Weather-appropriate clothing (layers are your best friend)

BEST PRACTICES:

First, know that most lighthouses are best photographed during “golden hour”—that magical period shortly after sunrise or before sunset when light bathes everything in warm, dimensional tones. Or even better at sunrise or sunset when the colors blast.

We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before golden hour to set up your equipment and scout compositions. During our expedition, we prioritized quantity over quality, attempting to cram multiple lighthouses into a single day. If you live nearby, dedicate one sunrise and one sunset to each lighthouse on your shot list.

Second, understand your lighthouse’s orientation relative to the sun’s path? East-facing lighthouses shine in morning light, while west-facing structures become postcard-perfect as the day closes. Research your location’s specific positioning using apps like The Photographer’s Ephemeris to predict exactly where the sun will appear at different times.

We wanted to photograph all of the lighthouses, and when you’re covering hundreds of miles in a single day, perfect golden-hour lighting at each location becomes impossible. The locals with their twenty-minute commutes might get that perfect sunset shot on their third or fourth attempt, but when you’re four hours from home with a packed itinerary, sometimes you have to laugh at the nuclear blast effect and plan for next time.

LIGHTHOUSE NIGHT PHOTOS

Consult our provided map above, highlighting Long Island’s eastern tip—a photographer’s paradise of minimal light pollution. This dark sky region creates the perfect backdrop for photographing the Milky Way behind these iconic lighthouses. Remember that astrophotography demands stability; your tripod needs solid ground beneath it, ruling out boats as shooting platforms. While the area offers exceptional nighttime visibility, ambient light remains too significant for drone-based celestial photography to be successful.

OUR NEWEST SECTION: WHAT WE DID WRONG

Learn from our mistakes!

MONTAUK POINT LIGHTHOUSE – We didn’t check the hours—rookie mistake! Most lighthouses stand gloriously gate-free, ready for your camera 24/7. Not this one! See that padlocked fortress in the photo? Despite our Oscar-worthy performance (“We’ve journeyed SEVENTEEN HOURS to worship at this lighthouse’s majestic base!”), The guardian of the gate—who was waiting for visitors to evacuate—wouldn’t let us sneak even one toe beyond the barrier for a quick snap. Please verify the hours on the day of your visit.

CAMPING – When we asked for help from the park ranger because we could not find the campground, we mentioned photography, and he asked, “Are you going to photograph it at night?” You need a permit for that, you know.” Uh oh… “We’ll get one tomorrow!” we chirped, mentally. Spoiler alert: our hotel hunt led us so far from the lighthouse that our celestial ambitions died somewhere between “reasonably priced accommodations” and “you’ve now crossed three county lines.” The Milky Way continued its cosmic dance without us.

Additionally, he did not mention that the permit requires time for approval and that you must provide your insurance declaration page for approval. He told us where to go to get it, so now we know for next time. You can do it online in advance, as it has to be done.

SIGN UP FOR EMAIL ALERTS.

We had a camping debacle, too. We were not advised that the walk-in sites would go back online at the end of the day. The GPS took us to the wrong place. We were told we arrived 5 minutes after the last site walk in sites were sold.

We called to get information from the online booking people, so you have more information. They said to make an account, and they will email you when sites become available. We do not recommend sharing your email address with any entity associated with New York State. We use a protonmail hide your email service. We highly recommend it along with a protonmail account. In the day of data mining, it helps with privacy.

Hither Hills State Park Reservations and Walk-Ins:

We spoke with Reserve America for our article, and they were very knowledgeable. We suggest that if you have a problem with the booking, you should call them.

Hither Hills State Park Reservations and Walk-Ins:

We spoke with Reserve America for our article, and they were very knowledgeable. We suggest that if you have a problem with the booking, you should call them.

Cabins, Cottages, and Yurts can be reserved up to one day before arrival.
Reservations can be made online through Reserve America or by calling the Reserve America Call Center at 1-800-456-2267.
Walk-ins are permitted on campsites only.
Check-In: 3 PM
- The site must be registered and occupied by 9 PM on the first night of the reservation; otherwise, it will be deemed a no-show, subject to re-rental, and fees may be forfeited.

SLEEPING/CAMPING IN YOUR SUV

The ranger asked us, “Do you have a tent with you?” His tone made it clear that our air mattress belonged on the ground, not in our car—regardless of our perfectly rational fears about local wildlife, crawling creatures, or childhood monsters that still haunt our adult imagination.

We combed through the website—and nowhere does it mention the “No SUV Slumber Party” rule. It does note that there may be additional rules so that you may find out upon arrival. That is not a good practice in our book.

Editor’s Note: Our writers are still processing the trauma of their photography journey. We’ve hidden their car keys and confiscated their sarcasm permits for the time being. The therapy bills are coming out of their next lighthouse expedition.

HOTELS

SOUTHAMPTON LONG ISLAND HOTEL – (See above for more details)

Our Favorite Place to Stay – Southampton Long Island Hotel. 450 County Rd 39, Southampton

DIRECTIONS LINK

Located next to Enramada Restaurant. Please call them at 631-283-2548 for more details.

STANDARD QUEEN – Queen Bed – 210 sq ft – Sleeps 2 People Max – Private Bath – Wireless Internet – Complimentary Toiletries – Hair Dryer – Cable TV – Alarm Clock.

DELUXE QUEEN – Queen Bed + Sofa Bed – 330 sq ft
Sleeps 3 People Max – Private Bath – Wireless Internet – Complimentary Toiletries – Hair Dryer – Cable TV – Alarm Clock.

SUITE – 2 Separate Rooms – 2 Queen Beds – 900 sq ft
Sleeps 4 People Max – Private Bath – Wireless Internet – Complimentary Toiletries – Hair Dryer – Cable TV – Alarm Clock – Refrigerator – Microwave.