Montauk Yacht Club Lighthouse

Montauk Yacht Club Lighthouse stands on Star Island in Lake Montauk, near the eastern end of Montauk on Long Island’s South Fork. The private lighthouse was built as part of the Montauk Yacht Club resort and marina and resembles the much larger Montauk Point Lighthouse.

Unlike Montauk Point Lighthouse, which is a historic federal navigation station and public museum, Montauk Yacht Club Lighthouse is a privately maintained aid to navigation associated with the resort. Its elevated beacon helped guide boats toward the marina and the protected waters of Lake Montauk.

A Lighthouse Built for the Yacht Club

The Montauk Yacht Club was established on Star Island in the late 1920s by developer and entrepreneur Carl Fisher. The property was designed as an exclusive waterfront club and included resort buildings, docks and a lighthouse-style navigational structure overlooking Lake Montauk.

Sources differ slightly on the precise construction date of the lighthouse, generally placing its construction around 1928 or 1930. The octagonal brick tower was designed as a smaller architectural replica of Montauk Point Lighthouse, creating a recognizable landmark for members and boaters approaching the club.

Design and Navigational Purpose

Montauk Yacht Club Lighthouse has an octagonal brick tower with a lantern and elevated focal plane. The structure rises approximately 60 feet and is positioned on Star Island near the resort’s waterfront facilities. Its light was intended to function as a private aid to navigation rather than as a replacement for Montauk Point Lighthouse or other official coastal lights.

The lighthouse appeared on federal navigational listings for many years, although it was privately maintained by the yacht club. The beacon helped identify the marina and entrance area for vessels navigating Lake Montauk, particularly after dark or during periods of reduced visibility.

The Montauk Yacht Club and Star Island

Star Island became associated with the social and recreational history of Montauk during the twentieth century. The club attracted prominent members and guests, while its waterfront setting made it a destination for boating, fishing, sailing and other maritime activities.

The property changed ownership and management several times over the decades and operated under different resort names, including periods when it was known as Gurney’s Star Island Resort and Marina. The historic lighthouse remained one of the most distinctive features of the waterfront property.

Current Status and Public Access

Montauk Yacht Club Lighthouse is located within a private resort and marina property. The tower is not operated as a conventional public museum, and visitors should not assume that the lighthouse grounds or interior are open for independent exploration.

The lighthouse may be viewed from portions of the resort, from the surrounding waters or during authorized events and activities. Access policies can change with resort ownership, seasonal operations and private-event schedules, so visitors should contact the Montauk Yacht Club before planning a visit specifically to see the lighthouse.

Montauk Yacht Club Lighthouse and Long Island’s Lighthouse Heritage

Montauk Yacht Club Lighthouse is part of the broader collection of maritime landmarks surrounding eastern Long Island. Nearby historic lights include Montauk Point Lighthouse, Cedar Island Lighthouse, Long Beach Bar Lighthouse and Orient Point Lighthouse.

Although it was created for a private resort rather than as a major oceanfront station, the lighthouse reflects Montauk’s longstanding relationship with boating and navigation. Its distinctive tower continues to provide Star Island and Lake Montauk with a memorable visual landmark.

---

Montauk Yacht Club Lighthouse

---

Key Facts & Details

Feature	Details
Official name	Montauk Yacht Club Light
Common name	Montauk Yacht Club Lighthouse
Type	Private lighthouse and aid to navigation
Location	Star Island in Lake Montauk
Nearby community	Montauk
County	Suffolk County
Waterway	Lake Montauk
Resort	Montauk Yacht Club
Construction date	Approximately 1928–1930
Architectural inspiration	Replica-style design modeled after Montauk Point Lighthouse
Construction materials	Brick tower with lantern structure
Tower shape	Octagonal
Tower height	Approximately 60 feet
Focal-plane height	Approximately 65 feet
Original purpose	To identify the yacht club and guide vessels toward the marina and Lake Montauk
Current status	Privately maintained navigational landmark; light status may vary
Current owner	Montauk Yacht Club resort and marina
Public access	Located on private resort property; access is subject to resort permission and operating policies
Best viewing method	From authorized resort areas, surrounding waters or approved events
Coordinates	Approximately 41.0489, -71.9446
Historical source	LighthouseFriends
Long Island Lighthouses	How many lighthouses are on Long Island?

Montauk Yacht Club Lighthouse remains a distinctive private landmark on Star Island in Lake Montauk. Built around the same period as the original Montauk Yacht Club, the replica-style tower helped identify the resort and guide boats toward its protected marina. Although it is not a conventional public lighthouse museum, the structure adds to the rich maritime character of Montauk and eastern Suffolk County. Viewed from the water or authorized resort areas, it provides a smaller but memorable counterpart to the famous Montauk Point Lighthouse.