Graves Light Webcam from Boston Light

The Graves Light Webcam from Boston Light provides a live view north from Little Brewster Island toward Graves Light and the northern approaches to Boston Harbor. Located at historic Boston Light, the camera looks across some of the most rugged outer islands and rocky ledges in Boston Harbor.

Graves Light appears in the distance, while Middle Brewster Island and Outer Brewster Island occupy the midground. Shag Rocks, a group of dangerous rocky ledges with a long history of shipwrecks, can be seen closer to the camera on the right.

The National Park Service identifies this camera simply as the north-facing Boston Light webcam, but the view toward Graves Light gives it a much stronger identity.

Watch Graves Light and the Outer Harbor Live

This webcam provides a fascinating look across the exposed outer reaches of Boston Harbor.

Unlike the protected waters closer to Downtown Boston, this landscape consists largely of rocky islands, ledges, open water, and navigational hazards.

Graves Light rises in the distance at The Graves, near the outer entrance to Boston Harbor.

Between Boston Light and Graves Light are several of the Brewster Islands.

Middle Brewster and Outer Brewster are visible in the webcam view, creating a rugged island landscape between the two lighthouses.

Shag Rocks appear much closer to Little Brewster Island.

These low rocky ledges have been hazardous to mariners for centuries. Waves, fog, snow, darkness, and changing tides can make the rocks extremely difficult to see from the water.

The webcam provides a much safer way to experience this exposed part of Boston Harbor.

See Two Historic Boston Harbor Lighthouses

Boston Light and Graves Light represent two different eras in the history of navigation into Boston Harbor.

Boston Light was first established on Little Brewster Island in 1716, making it the oldest lighthouse site in the United States.

Graves Light came much later.

Built in 1905, Graves Light stands on a rocky ledge at the outer northeastern entrance to Boston Harbor. At 113 feet tall, it is the tallest lighthouse in Boston Harbor.

The lighthouse helped vessels navigate the Broad Sound Channel, an increasingly important approach to Boston Harbor as larger ships required deeper navigation routes.

From Boston Light, Graves Light can be seen across the Brewster Islands in the distance.

That makes this webcam particularly unusual: the camera is physically located at America’s oldest lighthouse site while looking toward another of Boston Harbor’s great navigational landmarks.

Fog can make Graves Light and the surrounding islands disappear completely. On clear days, the rugged geography of the outer harbor becomes remarkably visible.

About Graves Light and the Brewster Islands

Graves Light stands on The Graves, a group of rocky ledges near the outer northeastern entrance to Boston Harbor.

The lighthouse was constructed in 1905 to help guide vessels through the Broad Sound Channel and into Boston Harbor.

Rising 113 feet above its rocky foundation, Graves Light is the tallest lighthouse in Boston Harbor.

Its isolated position makes the structure especially dramatic. The lighthouse rises directly from a small bedrock outcropping exposed to waves and storms arriving from Massachusetts Bay.

The Graves is part of a larger group of rocky outer harbor islands known as the Brewsters.

Middle Brewster and Outer Brewster islands lie between Graves Light and Boston Light and are visible from the north-facing webcam on Little Brewster Island.

These islands are rugged and largely undeveloped.

Shag Rocks are another prominent feature of the webcam view.

Located near Little Brewster Island, Shag Rocks consist of low bedrock ledges rising from the water. Their location near important navigation routes has made them dangerous to ships approaching Boston Harbor.

Numerous vessels have wrecked on or near the rocks.

One particularly notable wreck occurred in 1861 when the sailing ship Maritana approached Boston during a southeastern gale.

The crew briefly saw Boston Light before heavy snow obscured visibility. The ship subsequently struck Shag Rocks approximately half a mile from the lighthouse.

Boston Light has long served as a warning to mariners navigating these hazardous waters.

The north-facing webcam reveals exactly why lighthouses became so important here.

Rocky islands and ledges are scattered across the approaches to Boston Harbor, and fog, storms, snow, darkness, and rough seas can dramatically reduce visibility.

Today, Boston Light and Graves Light continue to mark this extraordinary maritime landscape.

See Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area Webcams

Why Use the Graves Light Webcam?

• Watch Graves Light live from Boston Light.
• See two historic Boston Harbor lighthouse locations in one view.
• View Middle Brewster and Outer Brewster islands.
• See the hazardous Shag Rocks near Little Brewster Island.
• Watch boats and ships approaching Boston Harbor.
• Check visibility across the outer harbor.
• Watch coastal fog obscure and reveal the islands.
• Observe waves and changing conditions around the Brewster Islands.

Where is the Graves Light Webcam located?

The webcam itself is located at Boston Light on Little Brewster Island. The camera faces north toward Graves Light and the northern approaches to Boston Harbor.

What can I see on the webcam?

Graves Light is visible in the distance. Middle Brewster and Outer Brewster islands occupy the midground, while Shag Rocks appear closer to the camera on the right.

How tall is Graves Light?

Graves Light is approximately 113 feet tall, making it the tallest lighthouse in Boston Harbor.

When was Graves Light built?

Graves Light was constructed in 1905 to help vessels navigate the approaches to Boston Harbor.

What are Shag Rocks?

Shag Rocks are a collection of exposed rocky ledges near the Brewster Islands. They have historically posed a serious hazard to ships navigating the outer Boston Harbor.

Is the Graves Light Webcam live?

Yes. The National Park Service currently lists the north-facing Boston Light webcam as active. The image updates approximately once every minute.