If you’ve ever dreamed about spending the summer on a Maine island looking after a lighthouse without having to pay for accommodations, then a volunteer opportunity offered by the Maine Department of Marine Resources may be your ticket to ride.
The agency is advertising for two volunteers to serve as island caretakers this season at Burnt Island Light, an historical lighthouse site situated about half a mile offshore from Boothbay Harbor.
In partnership with the nonprofit Keepers of Burnt Island Light, the department is recruiting two individuals — such as a retired couple, friends or partners — to live on the island and help manage the daily operations during the 2026 season.
“The island saw over 4,000 visitors last season. Burnt Island is truly a special place and has been preserved so beautifully throughout its history,” Mary Jo Marquis, vice president and board member of the Keepers of Burnt Island Light, told Mainebiz. “I think that reflects how much the community values it.”
Burnt Island Light is considered one of Maine’s most visited and historically significant destinations. The volunteer role offers a unique opportunity to live on the coast while contributing to public education and preservation efforts.
Caretakers will live in the upstairs portion of the lighthouse, which includes private bedrooms and bathroom facilities. The assignment entails greeting visitors, leading tours and sharing the history of the lighthouse and Maine’s coastal heritage.
Officials say ideal candidates would be interested in history and the marine environment and have a friendly, kind and courteous demeanor. Applicants must also be comfortable living in a remote, boat-access-only location — for some, the ultimate Vacationland experience.
