Another successful Sunrise Lighthouse Photography cruise is in the books and we have the photos to show for it. Nearly 20 individuals were aboard the vessel Balmy Days out of Pier 8 to attend the annual cruise for the unique opportunity to see and photography the area lighthouses. Captain Bill Campbell took us out to get the very best look angles to allow everyone aboard to make their best shots of the lighthouses.

Very often I get the comment about the weather on photography cruises and how often we luck out with very nice conditions for photography and this was another one of those times when the weather before and after the cruise was less than ideal but during the cruise we had dry cloudy skies and we got to see some very nice light which is what we shoot for - literally. At one point the sunrise looked an orange sherbet color and it provided the perfect soft warm light to see and photograph the area lighthouses.

Burnt Island was first and the capture with the staircase made for a nice leading line to the lighthouse. Capturing the beacon on in the lighthouse was a bonus thanks to the time of the day we were there.

Ram Island was next and again the sun made for a nice background to silhouette the lighthouse with the orange sky. Coming around the island made for another opportunity to capture the lighthouse with the rocky coastline in the foreground all being lit by the warm sunlight.

The Cuckolds light station was next on the tour and again the early morning light made for a nice opportunity to see this lighthouse that is at the entrance to Boothbay Harbor.

Sea conditions were not the best for a trip to see the lighthouse at Pemaquid so the decision to go around Southport Island to see Hendricks Head was made and that did not disappoint. Hendricks Head is often best seen from the water in the afternoon light but because of the clouds and the resultant soft sunlight the lighthouse really looked beautiful and everyone got a nice view.

After passing through Townsend Gut and the Southport Island Swing Bridge we were treated to one last unofficial aid to navigation that is on private property but still very visible from the ocean on the west side of the harbor. This little light has no name but considering the name of the owners we are calling this ‘Baldwin Light’ which seems fitting. While this little light is not recognized on nautical charts it is still nice to see and having the perfect light made for a great photo opportunity. 

This wraps up the Photo Cruises out of Boothbay Harbor for this year but there are still two more in the books that are happening out of Bar Harbor that can be found under the Photo events page at my website www.phototourismbymike.com

Make plans now for next year’s Windjammer Days Photography cruise which will be on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. That cruise usually sells out so buying a ticket early is always recommended.

Keep taking pictures and always make your Best Shot!