An Extraordinary Experience
An extraordinary opportunity to enjoy an experience on Long Island Sound like no other at the newly restored Greens Ledge Lighthouse - one mile off the coast of Rowayton and Darien - a working lighthouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Lighthouse is one of the only offshore active lighthouses that hosts overnight guests - limited to just a handful of nights each year - which help to fund the ongoing restoration and preservation of the historic lighthouse. This once-in-a-lifetime overnight stay for up to six people includes a tour of the newly restored lighthouse provided by the Greens Ledge Light Preservation Society.
As the rotating light beacon shines through the night, enjoy breathtaking panoramic 360-degree views of the Connecticut and New York coastlines and the glowing Manhattan skyline. The Lighthouse is fully "off-grid" yet equipped with modern amenities powered by renewable solar and wind systems - including a fully equipped kitchen, two bathrooms, and an outdoor hot-water shower.
Unlike many other lighthouse accommodations where you’ll typically stay in a cottage next to a lighthouse, the accommodations at Greens Ledge are completely within the lighthouse itself – a magnificent seven-floor cast iron tower located a mile from shore with a fully-active light signal, which beams from nearly 100 feet above Long Island Sound.
Restoring & Preserving The Lighthouse
Greens Ledge Light Preservation Society is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to restore and preserve Green's Ledge Light. Our 'Night at the Light' is made available for only 5-10 nights per year, and proceeds from this program fund a significant percentage of our nonprofit's annual operating budget.
All event rates include a tax-deductible donation to the Greens Ledge Light Preservation Society. Please scroll down to read a full list of Frequently Asked Questions for more details about your 'Night at the Light' experience.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Does the lighthouse operate like a typical hotel or bed & breakfast?
Greens Ledge Light Preservation Society is a 501c3 nonprofit that owns and operates the historic lighthouse, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Our 'Night at the Light' is made available for only 5-10 nights per year, and proceeds from this program fund a significant percentage of our nonprofit's annual operating budget. The Night at the Light Educational Program was developed to encourage guests to gain the knowledge and one-of-kind experience of living in a historic 125 year-old active Lighthouse!
Q: What’s so unique about Greens Ledge Lighthouse?
Staying at Greens Ledge Lighthouse is an experience unlike any other. Unlike other lighthouse accommodations where you’ll typically stay in a cottage next to a lighthouse – or in an on-shore property situated next to other residences - the accommodations at Greens Ledge are completely within the offshore lighthouse itself – a magnificent seven floor cast iron tower located a mile from shore with a fully-active and functioning US Coast Guard-maintained light signal which beams its red and white beacon from 100 feet above Long Island Sound.
Q: How long does it take to get out to the Lighthouse?
The Lighthouse is located 1 mile from shore between Norwalk and Darien, Connecticut. We launch our complimentary boat service from the Rowayton Community Beach Dock, 59 Rowayton Avenue, Rowayton, CT via our 27 ft. boat, and the ride takes approximately 10 minutes.
Q: What time is drop-off/pickup? Parking?
We will depart from Community Beach Dock at 4:00pm - but can be later upon request. There is a small parking lot at Community Beach Dock, for which you will be given a parking pass to display in your window to permit overnight parking. We pick up from the Lighthouse at 11:00am the next morning - but can be earlier upon request.
Q: Are we allowed to take our own boat to the lighthouse?
We strongly encourage guests to utilize our free transportation to/from the lighthouse. Due to safety concerns and logistics, 'Night at the Light' guests are not permitted to take their own boat directly to the lighthouse without prior approval. If you prefer to arrive via your own boat, transient boat slips are available for rent in the Five Mile River through Dockwa. (Linked Here) The pickup/dropoff dock in Rowayton is located within a couple hundred feet of these rental slips. While guests should plan on utilizing the free transportation, with pre-approval based on weather conditions (very calm wind/seas), we may approve guests to take their boat directly to the Lighthouse for an additional fee.
Q: What food service is included / available?
At the Lighthouse, we provide complimentary snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, along with fixings for breakfast in the morning. We do not provide dinner. We encourage guests to pick up dinner en route to the dock from one of several amazing restaurants within walking distance from the pickup dock.
Restaurant Recommendations & Links
Q: What equipment and utensils are in the Kitchen/Galley?
You're welcome to bring your own food as well. The lighthouse kitchen - also called the Galley - is fully equipped with a 4-burner propane stove and oven, microwave, Keurig coffee maker, and refrigerator, and has an outdoor propane Webber grill. We also provide plates, mugs, glasses, cookware, steak knives, eating & cooking utensils, and various spices/seasonings. We also offer sweeteners and K-Cups, and provide paper goods like paper plates, paper towels, napkins, toilet tissue, etc.
Q: Does the Lighthouse have a caretaker on-site? What to do in an emergency?
For overnights, you have the Lighthouse all to yourself. We have a Greens Ledge staff member on call from shore 24/7 who can respond to emergencies at the Lighthouse within approximately 10 minutes. For public emergency services, expect an average response time of roughly 30 minutes, so overnights are not recommended for visitors with significant health problems. The Lighthouse is equipped with an AED and full First Aid Kit. There is cellular service and WiFi at the lighthouse, and we also have a handheld VHF Radio.
Q: Does the Lighthouse have a security system and/or cameras?
The Lighthouse uses several exterior cameras for security and weather/wildlife monitoring purposes. There is one interior camera in the kitchen directed at the front entryway. By default, the microphones to all cameras are disabled. During overnights, the interior camera and the exterior webcam are disabled for privacy purposes. The Lighthouse is known to attract curious boaters, so we take several measures to ensure your visit remains private and pleasant. Exterior security cameras will remain in use on the dock and ladder landing, and GLLPS staff will receive motion alerts and can remotely enable a siren to discourage these curious boaters.
Q: Are other folks allowed to visit the lighthouse during our stay?
Due to safety & liability reasons, Overnight Keepers are not allowed to invite anyone onto the lighthouse at any time during their stay (besides the guests in the reservation) without prior approval. For an additional fee, up to 6 additional guests may join for dinner (up to 12 total guests at the Lighthouse) with a pickup for these guests at 8pm. ***Additional charge of $100 per dinner guest.
Q: Are we allowed to check-in/check-out at times other than the established times?
Due to the operational logistics of the lighthouse, we strongly ask our 'Night at the Light' guests to honor the established times.
Q: Are bed linens included and is there a housekeeping/cleaning fee?
Bed linens are included and sheets are washed after each stay. While we request that 'Light at the Night' be a good 'Keeper' by keeping the Lighthouse clean, guests do not need to re-make the beds or clean beyond a simple wipe-down of the surfaces and proper disposal of trash in the trash bins. Our volunteer staff will take the rest from there!
Q: Is there Heat and Air Conditioning?
The Lighthouse has a central heating system (marine hydronic system), which is operable through thermostats located in each room. We ask guests to conserve heat usage whenever possible, as this is our only non-renewable source of energy usage. The Lighthouse does not have central air conditioning but was designed such that the windows provide plentiful airflow on the vast majority of evenings. Fans are provided in each room as well. On very hot nights, we will set up a portable air conditioning unit in the Bunk Room. In extreme conditions, we will reschedule the visit.
Q: How much electricity does the lighthouse have?
Power is provided via our state-of-the-art solar and wind energy systems - stored in a large battery in the basement - which provide enough power to run modern amenities in the lighthouse. The lighthouse is completely off-grid and does not have any connections to the shore. We ask that guests conserve energy whenever possible by turning off lights and refraining from using high-wattage electronics (hairdryers, hot plates, heating elements). In rare cases when the solar and wind are unable to keep up, a back generator in the basement will automatically charge the batteries.
Q: Is there fresh drinking water? Is there a toilet and shower?
Yes!! We have a state-of-the-art desalination system powered 100% by solar energy which converts saltwater in Long Island Sound to fresh water, which is perfectly safe to drink. We provide bottled water as well for consumption. We have two fully operational toilets. We have an outdoor hot water shower.
Q: Can we bring alcoholic beverages for our stay? Smoking allowed?
Yes, guests are welcome to bring and enjoy alcoholic beverages, subject to House Rules rules. Smoking is not allowed at any time.
Q: Is Greens Ledge Light still an active lighthouse?
Yes! The lighthouse is still a fully active USCG Aid to Navigation. The US Coast Guard operates our modern LED optic in the lantern room that automatically flashes every 10 seconds from dusk to dawn. The USCG also operates a foghorn, which is activated via radio (not automatically).
Q: Is there WiFi or Cable TV?
The Lighthouse is fully off-grid, but we have internet service via Starlink satellite which runs Wifi throughout the Lighthouse. The TV in the Keepers Quarters is connected to the Wifi and can stream apps via FireTV. The TV will be automatically logged into FuboTV, which includes most channels.
Q: In case of an emergency, who do we call?
If there is a medical emergency, use your cell phone to call 911. There is also a VHF Radio in the Galley next to a list of emergency contacts posted on the wall.
Q: Can we swim or fish off the lighthouse? Do you have Paddleboards?
Yes, but a Greens Ledge Light Preservation Society staff member must be on-site for swimming, paddleboarding, or any activity that utilizes the dock. Strong rip currents can occur around the Lighthouse. Life jackets must be worn at all times. Our staff member can monitor these activities during the afternoon drop-off and/or during the morning pick-up.
Q: Can we book more than one night?
Yes, but we recommend one night stays based on logistics of food and facilities (shower is outdoor hot-water). That said, additional nights can be booked at a discounted rate.
Q: Is the lighthouse suitable for small children? What about handicap accessibility?
We've made the Lighthouse as accessible and safe as possible, but being a historic 120-year-old structure built for US Coast Guard personnel, guests should consider the inherent limits and unavoidable risks. Despite our restoration workers' endless requests, there is no elevator! Guests should be capable of navigating several steep ramps and walking up and down at minimum one flight of stairs unassisted. To reach the beacon room on the top floor, guests will need to climb six floors, including two sets of ladders. While we do not have hard restrictions, we advise that guests do not bring infants or toddlers on overnight visits, and that walking-impaired guests speak to us in advance about potential accommodations.
Q: What is the cancellation and payment policy?
All overnight stays are conducted rain or shine, unless otherwise cancelled by GLLPS due to safety reasons. Cancellations for safety will be made at the discretion of GLLPS based on closely monitored, local marine forecasts. If we are forced to cancel your stay, your payment will be fully honored toward re-scheduling a future date or fully refunded. Payment is due at the time of booking. If guests choose to cancel prior to 30 days before your arrival, we can either reschedule your visit or provide a 50% refund. Because we close our booking window and schedule our captains several months in advance, cancellations within 30 days of your booking can not be granted a refund or rescheduled without an additional fee.
