Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
General Island Info
Museum Tours
The lighthouse museum is open from 10am – 4pm during the season. Daily visitors are asked to pay a per person landing fee. More info on Daily Tours and getting to the island here.
Electricity, Wi-Fi Service
Rose Island is “off the grid” and powered by solar panels through a 110v service which runs the beacon and household lights. Access to electricity is only available to overnight guests and those who have booked special events on the island.
There is no wi-fi service on the island, but cell signal for all major cell service providers is quite good.
Medical Emergencies
In case of medical emergencies while on the island, please call 911. For non-medical emergencies: please call us at our office at 401-847-4242 or email us at info@roseisland.org
Exploring the Island
During bird nesting season (March 1 through August 15), walking around the island is limited to the 1.5 acre lighthouse reservation, including the two beaches adjacent to the lighthouse and the barracks. After August 15, guests are invited to walk all parts of the island.
Use of the Rose Island Dock
The dock on Rose Island is only for use by the official Rose Island passenger boat, Rose, and the Jamestown-Newport ferry. Tie ups are prohibited from all other boats, unless otherwise arranged with the Rose Island Lighthouse & Fort Hamilton Trust.
Enjoying the Island, Things to Do
Small watercraft are welcome to land on the beach west of the dock between 10 and 4 daily in season from Memorial Day to Colombus Day. A per person landing fee is required to visit the island (more info here).
A saltwater fishing license is required to fish on Rose Island, available from RIDEM – Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.
You may want to bring your own binoculars for a close up view of all the habitat or wildlife on the island. Please respect the harbor seals by keeping your distance from them.
A gift shop is open daily in season with unique gifts from local artisans, books, t-shirts, and more.
It is safe to swim on the beaches around the island. There are shells and some sea glass treasures that you may find along the shore and keep.
Bathrooms are available on the island.
Leaving the Island as you Found It
All guests including daily visitors, overnight guests, event hosts and attendees are asked to strictly observe our Carry In-Carry Out policy for all trash and recycling accumulated on Rose Island. Always pick up any trash or items that may cause harm to marine animals and wildlife. Your stewardship is always appreciated!
Accessibility
Rose Island is NOT handicapped accessible. Guests must be in good physical condition and capable of climbing stairs, walking uphill on uneven ground, getting in on a small boat and walking moderate distance. The island is not suitable for children under 5 years old.
Overnight Stay Information
Booking Online
You can make a reservation today by using our secure online booking system.
We ask that your reservation for a one night stay be secured by full advance payment including Rhode Island tax and extra charges at time of booking. A fifty percent (50%) deposit is required for two-nights or a full one- week reservation. All major credit cards are accepted.
Children
Children under the age five years old cannot stay overnight on the island.
Cancellation & Guarantee Policies
The Rose Island Lighthouse is an exclusive property where each reservation is both important and special. We have only a few rooms, therefore we cannot absorb cancellation costs, and require full payment at the time of your booking. ALL DEPOSITS ON ENTIRE PROPERTY BOOKINGS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
IF YOU CANCEL:
If you cancel at least 30 days PRIOR to check-in, you will receive a full refund LESS a $75 cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 14 and 30 days before check-in, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel WITHIN 14 days before you check-in, your payment is NON-REFUNDABLE.
We encourage you to secure travel insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances such as illness, etc.
IF WE CANCEL:
From time to time, weather conditions preclude us from safely transporting our guests to the island. Our island manager may choose to cancel departures due to unsafe conditions on the water or the island at any time. If we have to cancel your reservation, you are entitled to a full refund. Alternatively, we can look to move your reservation until another time that works for you in that same calendar year. If there is not suitable availability within that calendar year, a full refund will be provided to you.
Water Transportation – Rose Island Lighthouse Launch Service
Rose, Rose Island Lighthouse’s own motor launch will take you and your guests for a 15-minute ride to the island. Transport on the Rose is included in your overnight reservation fee. The launch departs from Fort Adams to Rose Island from May to October, Monday to Sunday, at 12:00 pm.
If overnight guests are unable to make the 12:00 pm departure, they may be able to take the Jamestown – Newport ferry at their own expense, which runs regular service in season from 10 AM – 4 PM. Please visit their website or call 401-423-9900 for more information.
Electricity/ Wi-Fi for Overnight Guests
Rose Island is powered by solar panels through a 110v service which runs the beacon and household lights. You can charge your phone, laptop and other small devices. Please refrain from using hair dryers or other such high-demand electrical devices. CPAP machines are permitted. Cellular coverage is available. You may ask one of the staff or the Captain how to charge your phone if you are staying in one of the outside buildings.
There is no wi-fi service on the island, but cell signal for all major cell service providers is quite good.
NOTE: The Rose Island Lighthouse is “off the grid” and subject to the harsh weather conditions. Please call the captain if electricity service fails.
Smoking
Smoking is not allowed in the lighthouse or in any other buildings on the island specifically the barracks of Fort Hamilton. Please do not throw cigarette butts anywhere on the property, including the beach, pathways or lawns.
The use of candles or oil lamps is strictly prohibited.
Check In, Check Out Process
Check in for all guests is at 12:00 pm. Check out is at 10:00 am. Please make the bed with fresh linens (provided) and leave the room as it was when you checked in. Take all your trash, used linens and recyclables to the boat when you leave. If you do not follow these procedures, guests may be subject to a cleaning charge.
Sharing the Island w/ Visitors
The lighthouse museum is open from 10am – 4pm during the season. There will be day tourists visiting the island during these times from Memorial Day Weekend to Columbus Day. Tourists will visit and view the living areas of the lighthouse except the bedrooms. However, if you are staying on the first floor of the lighthouse, please keep your bed made, door open, room tidy and valuables tucked away.
Activities on the Island
Kayaks and life jackets are available for overnight guests’ use.
Fishing is allowed, but you may want to bring your own fishing rods and bait. A saltwater fishing license is required to fish on Rose Island, available from RIDEM – Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.
You may want to bring your own binoculars for a close up view of all the habitat or wildlife on the island.
It is safe to swim on the beaches around the island. Please do not use the towels provided in your room. Guests are responsible for bringing their own beach towels. There are shells and some sea glass treasures that you may find along the shore and keep.
Please observe our Carry In-Carry Out policy for all trash accumulated on Rose Island. Always pick up any trash or items that may cause harm to marine animals and wildlife. Your stewardship is always appreciated!
Amenities: In-Room and Around the Island
In the Lighthouse:
Museum First Floor: coffee maker, microwave oven, hot plate, small refrigerator and bathroom (no indoor shower – see outdoor shower info below).
The Keeper’s Apartment has a private, fully equipped, kitchen and bathroom facilities with indoor shower.
Foghorn Building:
There is no electricity or attached bathroom facility, guests must use the outdoor toilet facility. A small functioning wood stove is available for use. Make sure to bring your own bundle of firewood. It must be small logs. Full sized logs will not fit.
Barracks Room:
There is no heat, electricity or bathroom facility in the barracks; however, there is an outdoor toilet within short walking distance from your room.
We provide the following to our overnight guests: Bed linens, pillows, bath towels (for all rooms), paper towels and cleaning supplies, pots & pans for cooking (Keeper’s Apartment & Museum First Floor rooms only), and propane & tools for the outdoor grills. Refrigeration is limited to the Keeper’s apartment and a small refridgerator for Museum First Floor guests. All guests are required to bring their own food, as there is none available on the island, as well as coolers and ice.
There are three gas powered grills guests can use during your stay. Cooking utensils are available.
We advise guests to bring dinner paper products to help with water conservation. There are dishes / drinkware / silverware provided for the guests staying in the Keeper’s Apartment and Museum First Floor ONLY. We have a carry in carry out trash policy.
Fire Pit
Can we build a campfire on the beach? To protect the wildlife refuge and bird nesting habitat, RILF limits campfires to the fire pit located on the beach along the pathway from the dock. Guests are welcome to bring their own firewood to use in the fire pit. Please use safety precautions when using the fire pit.
Outdoor Bathrooms and Shower
There are two bathroom facilities on the grounds and an outdoor shower with a solar heated shower for guests staying in the Museum First Floor, Foghorn Building, and Barracks rooms.
Getting Off the Island During Your Stay
You may go to Newport for lunch and sightseeing while on the island. Please call Jamestown Ferry (401-423-9200) or got their website www.jamestownnewportferry.com for schedules, to arrange and book your trips to Newport and back. In general, the ferry runs between 10 am and 4 pm each day so guests are warned to check service availability prior to departure.
Cancellation Policy Due to Bad Weather
Our Executive Director/ Captain will make a decision to cancel reservations for the day based on Coast Guard advisory due to high seas, hurricane force wind and severe weather conditions. Guests have an option to reschedule within a reasonable time to avoid seasonal rate changes or availability issues or request a refund. ALL reservations cancelled by the guest directly, are non-refundable within 60 days from date of stay.
Pet Policy
We regret that we cannot accommodate your pets to stay overnight on the island.