| Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse Tours Return With Added Annapolis Maritime Museum Admission
April 21, 2026 | 10:33 am
https://www.eyeonannapolis.net/2026/04/thomas-point-shoal-lighthouse-tours-return-with-added-annapolis-maritime-museum-admission/
One of the Chesapeake Bay’s most recognizable landmarks is entering its 151st year on the water, and the best way to experience it up close is back for the season.
Built in 1875, the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse has guided mariners off Annapolis for generations. It remains the last surviving screwpile lighthouse still in use in its original location, a rare piece of working maritime history that has become one of the most photographed lighthouses on the Bay.
A Historic Lighthouse Facing A Modern Threat
Like many waterfront structures, the lighthouse is facing increasing risk from rising sea levels. Long-term projections show water levels continuing to climb, creating concerns about future impacts to the lighthouse’s structural steel and overall stability.
Preservation work is focused on developing an engineering solution to elevate the lighthouse and protect it for the next generation of Bay boaters, historians, and visitors.
Tours Run May Through October
Public tours are scheduled to run May through October, with limited capacity that often sells out. Since 2004, more than 8,000 visitors have made the trip to the lighthouse, learning its history and seeing a side of the Chesapeake Bay that most people only pass by at a distance.
Tour proceeds support the planning and engineering work needed to preserve the lighthouse.
New This Season: Tour Includes Annapolis Maritime Museum Admission
This season adds a new perk for ticket holders: lighthouse tour admission now includes entry to the Annapolis Maritime Museum, creating a more complete Chesapeake Bay experience that connects the on-the-water lighthouse visit with the region’s broader maritime story on shore.
How To Book
Tours are limited and typically fill quickly during peak weekends. Visitors are encouraged to book early to secure a spot and take advantage of the expanded museum-and-lighthouse experience. Tickets and more information is available at http://www.thomaspoint.org/ |
