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Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse stands as the last intact screw-pile lighthouse in its original Chesapeake Bay position, built in 1875 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1999 with U.S. National Park Service recognition for its maritime preservation. This hexagonal wooden structure, still an active navigation aid owned by Annapolis and managed by the U.S. Lighthouse Society, offers rare access to a fully restored interior amid shifting shoals. Its survival through storms and ice sets it apart as a living relic of East Coast lighthouse engineering.
Top pursuits center on boat tours departing Annapolis Maritime Museum, including docent-guided walks through keeper quarters, foghorn demos, and climbs to the lantern room for bay vistas. Spot ospreys and seals en route, or join living history events on select weekends. Nearby, explore Annapolis waterfront for complementary maritime sites like the Naval Academy.
Visit June through October for calmest seas and most tours; expect breezy conditions with temperatures in the 70s-80s°F and possible afternoon showers. Prepare for boat access only—no land approach—and advance reservations via Eventbrite at $90. Shoulder months like May offer fewer crowds but check for openings.
Local docents from the Chesapeake chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society share insider preservation stories, fostering community pride in this Annapolis icon. Tours blend education with tales from former keepers' descendants, immersing visitors in Maryland's boating culture where watermen still rely on its beam.
Book tours well in advance through the U.S. Lighthouse Society Eventbrite site, as they sell out fast during June to October; check thomaspointshoallighthouse.org for 2026 dates starting in spring. Aim for Sundays or Saturdays with 9:30 AM or noon departures from Annapolis Maritime Museum at 723 2nd St. Confirm weather policies, as rough seas cancel trips; fees run $90 per person including the 2.5-hour full experience.
Wear layers for bay winds and non-slip shoes for wet decks and metal stairs inside the lighthouse. Bring sunscreen, hat, binoculars for wildlife spotting, and a light rain jacket year-round. Motion sickness remedies help on the 30-minute boat rides; photography is encouraged but secure gear against spray.