Coastline
17 places · Sea stacks, coves & tidal shores
Burlington, VT
Burlington Waterfront and Lake Champlain
Burlington's waterfront park stretches along Lake Champlain with views of the Adirondack Mountains across the water. The boardwalk, marina, and fishing pier provide varied foreground elements for sunset photography. On clear evenings, the sun sets directly behind the Adirondack ridgeline.
Newport, RI
Cliff Walk
This 3.5-mile public walkway runs along the eastern shore of Newport, offering views of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Gilded Age mansions on the other. The path follows rugged limestone cliffs and passes behind several historic estates. It is a National Recreation Trail and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Stonington, CT
Stonington Lighthouse Museum
The Old Lighthouse Museum occupies an 1823 granite lighthouse at the southern tip of Stonington Point. The tower provides 360-degree views encompassing Fishers Island Sound, Watch Hill, and the Connecticut coastline. The lighthouse is the southernmost point in Stonington Borough.
Newport, RI
Castle Hill Lighthouse
Castle Hill Lighthouse is a granite lighthouse built in 1890 at the entrance to Narragansett Bay's East Passage. The 34-foot tower sits on a rocky promontory surrounded by crashing waves and offers views of passing sailboats and ships. The lighthouse is accessible via a trail through the Castle Hill Inn property.
Jamestown, RI
Beavertail State Park
Beavertail State Park occupies the southern tip of Conanicut Island and features dramatic rocky shoreline formations carved by Atlantic waves. The park contains Beavertail Lighthouse, the third-oldest lighthouse site in North America, established in 1749. The exposed rocks and open ocean create powerful wave action during storms and high surf.
Bar Harbor, ME
Thunder Hole
A natural inlet carved into the granite coastline of Acadia National Park where waves compress air in a cavern, producing thunderous booms. The effect is most dramatic during incoming tides with moderate to heavy surf. Spray can shoot up to 40 feet during storm conditions.
Bar Harbor, ME
Otter Cliff
Rising 110 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, Otter Cliff is one of the tallest coastal headlands on the eastern seaboard. The sheer pink granite face is popular with rock climbers and attracts photographers for its dramatic wave action. The cliff faces southeast, catching morning light.
Portland, ME
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
This caisson-style lighthouse built in 1897 is connected to shore by a 900-foot granite breakwater. It marks a dangerous ledge at the entrance to Portland's main shipping channel. The walkable breakwater offers unusual vantage points of the lighthouse with Fort Gorges and the harbor behind.
New London, CT
Thames River at New London
The Thames River estuary at New London provides views of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and submarine traffic from the Naval Submarine Base upstream. The City Pier and waterfront park offer vantage points for photographing maritime activity. The river's wide mouth opens into Long Island Sound.
Boston, MA
Boston Light on Little Brewster Island
Boston Light is the oldest lighthouse station in the United States, established in 1716 on Little Brewster Island in Boston Harbor. The current tower dates to 1783 and stands 89 feet tall. It is the last staffed lighthouse in the country and is accessible by seasonal boat tours from downtown Boston.
Gloucester, MA
Good Harbor Beach at Sunrise
Good Harbor Beach is a wide barrier beach on Cape Ann's eastern shore with views of Salt Island, which is accessible by a sand bar at low tide. The beach faces east-northeast, making it one of the best sunrise locations on the North Shore. Thatcher Island's twin lighthouses are visible on the horizon to the south.
Provincetown, MA
Long Point Beach and Dunes
Long Point is a narrow sand spit forming the very tip of Cape Cod's hook, accessible by a two-mile walk along the breakwater from Provincetown's West End or by seasonal water shuttle. The area features Long Point Light, built in 1875, and expansive views back toward Provincetown Harbor. The isolated beach and dune ecosystem supports nesting piping plovers and terns.
Bar Harbor, ME
Sand Beach
A rare sandy beach along Acadia's granite coast, composed partly of crushed shell fragments that give it a distinctive pinkish hue. The beach is flanked by rocky headlands including Great Head and the Beehive. The sand composition and surrounding geology make it unique among Maine beaches.
Kennebunkport, ME
Goose Rocks Beach
A two-mile crescent of sandy beach in a quiet residential area of Kennebunkport. At low tide, the beach expands dramatically, revealing tidal pools and sandbars that create reflective surfaces. The Batson River salt marsh borders the northern end of the beach.
Provincetown, MA
Race Point Lighthouse
Race Point Lighthouse sits at the northwestern tip of Cape Cod within the Cape Cod National Seashore, surrounded by sweeping sand dunes and Atlantic surf. The current cast-iron tower was erected in 1876 and stands 41 feet tall. The remote location makes it one of the best spots on Cape Cod for astrophotography due to minimal light pollution.
Rockport, MA
Halibut Point State Park
Halibut Point State Park occupies the northernmost tip of Cape Ann and features a flooded granite quarry and dramatic rocky coastline. The Babson Farm Quarry, abandoned in 1929, has filled with rainwater creating a deep turquoise pool. The ocean-facing granite ledges provide expansive views across Ipswich Bay to New Hampshire and southern Maine.
Kennebunkport, ME
Walker's Point
A rocky peninsula known as the Bush family compound, Walker's Point is visible from Ocean Avenue and Parsons Way. The dramatic coastline includes wave-carved granite, tidal pools, and views across Cape Arundel. The adjacent Spouting Rock produces geyser-like effects during high surf.