On June 17, Essex Heritage will kick-off the summer season with guided boat tours to Bakers Island Light Station. For 12 weeks only, from June 17 through September 4 (Labor Day), the military-style landing craft Naumkeag will disembark passengers on the beach at Bakers Island. From here, visitors can take a guided tour of the property, learn about its unique history, hike newly cut trails, play croquet and bocce, have a picnic, or just relax and enjoy the view.
“We are delighted to open up the light station for the third season and to welcome the new volunteer light keepers, Dave and Janet,” says Annie C. Harris, Essex Heritage CEO. “We have new trips and experiences planned for this summer including lobster tours, en plain air painting trips, and wild edibles hikes. As a special pre-opening-day voyage, we are offering to take 18 passengers to see the Tall Ships arrive in Boston on Friday, June 16.”
Regular trips to Bakers Island Light Station leave twice a day from the dock adjacent to the Salem Ferry Landing. Trips depart at 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for this 2 1/2 hour adventure. The Salem Ferry Landing is located at 10 Blaney Street, Salem, just past the House of the Seven Gables. Free parking is available next to the dock.
Bakers Island Light Station is only accessible to the public through these tours with Essex Heritage. Naumkeag is a large, open boat with a bow front that drops down so passengers can walk directly onto the stone beach (not landing at a dock). No private landings are allowed.
Don’t miss the boat! Tickets are available for purchase online at EssexHeritage.org/boat, and at the National Park Service’s Regional Visitor Center (2 New Liberty St, Salem).