Kayaking North of Boston Island: Twin Lighthouses & Wildlife

Paddle among granite cliffs and seal colonies to reach twin lighthouses no motorboat can access.

A 2-hour guided kayak around North of Boston Island combines access to the last remaining twin lighthouses in the country with wildlife sightings (seals, deer, and nesting birds), and geology shaped by basaltic dikes and granite formations. Your guide tailors the route to conditions and your group's interests rather than following a script. All safety gear, water, and storage for personal items are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Island lighthouse kayak tour experience

• Explore island wildlife and geology
• Learn lighthouse history and keeper stories
• View twin lighthouses panorama

The experience

Two hours on the water lets you reach the island's twin lighthouses and the keeper's house without the crowds of a larger tour group. The kayaks put you at water level where seals haul out on rocks and deer sometimes appear on the shoreline: sightings that a tour boat misses. Your guide combines local history with real-time knowledge of the day's conditions, adjusting the route if wind picks up or if wildlife activity draws you toward a particular cove.

The island itself, mostly owned by Mass Audubon, holds layers most visitors never see: basaltic dikes cut through granite outcrops, and the lighthouse complex sits among the rock formations that shaped the coastline. You paddle past these features at your own pace rather than listening to a pre-written narrative. The guide carries bottled water and brings a large storage bin and lockbox so you can leave bags and phones behind if you want to travel light on the water.

All safety equipment comes with the booking: life jacket, booties, and dry bags to protect anything you bring. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller before or after the paddle, and specialized infant seats are available if needed. Service animals are welcome. Public transportation options run nearby if you're traveling without a car.

What’s included

• All safety and comfort equipment including life jacket, booties, and dry bags.
• bottled water.
• storage bin and lockbox for personal items you want to leave behind.
• live guide in English tailoring the route to conditions and your group's interests.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00 and 14:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (under 13)

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by North Shore Adventures and Outdoor Center

Is this one for you?Small groups and families with infants benefit most from the personalized pace: your guide adjusts the route to conditions and interests rather than following a script, which means you spend less time fighting wind and more time watching for seals and exploring the lighthouse complex at a speed that suits everyone in the kayak.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 13).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife might I see on the kayak around North of Boston Island?

Seals, deer, and nesting birds are common sightings. The island's rocky shoreline and granite formations draw marine mammals, and the variety of habitats supports a range of bird species throughout the year.

Can I bring my infant or toddler on this kayak?

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller at the launch point, and specialized infant seats are available if you want to bring a very young child in the kayak itself.

What happens if the weather turns bad during the paddle?

Your guide adjusts the route based on real-time conditions rather than sticking to a fixed itinerary, so the paddle stays safe and suited to the day's wind and water state.

Do I need kayaking experience to join this tour?

No, the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and your guide will match the pace and distance to your group's comfort and ability.

What are the twin lighthouses I'll see?

North of Boston Island holds the last remaining set of twin lighthouses in the country, along with the keeper's house and other historic structures built into the island's granite landscape.

What should I leave behind, and where does it go?

You can store bags, phones, and other items in the large storage bin or smaller lockbox at the launch point so you travel light on the water without worrying about your belongings.