Machias Seal Island, located in Washington County, Maine, is home to one of the oldest lighthouses in Maine, built in 1832. This remote, rocky island sits at the entrance to the Bay of Fundy and remains an active navigational aid. The lighthouse is notably the center of a longstanding territorial dispute between the United States and Canada.

While the lighthouse is not open to the public for climbing, the island is famous for its thriving Atlantic puffin colony, drawing birdwatchers worldwide. Limited boat tours from Cutler offer wildlife viewing opportunities.

Best photography conditions occur during summer months (June-July) when puffins are most active. Nearby attractions include Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land and West Quoddy Head Light.

Explore Nearby

• Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park — State Park in Maine
• Whaleback Shell Midden — State Park in Maine
• St. John Valley Cultural Byway/Fish River Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in Maine
• Schoodic Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in Maine
• Watson Settlement Bridge — Covered Bridge in Maine