The island is inhabited by a local family during the summer. A bachelor and his dog stay at the light from October through June. Visitors are are welcome if they can get there. The island's best small boat landing is tidal. It is clearly visible from several vantage points along the shore of Biddeford Pool and Hills Beach but the most dramatic is from Audubon Society preserve on Eastern Point at Biddeford Pool.
Parking is very limited but the preserve is worth the visit.
Trails lead to the harbor side of the point and offer wildly romantic views of crashing surf, harbor islands, the distant crescent of Old Orchard Beach and, of course, Wood Island Light. The first light on Wood Island, a conical granite block tower and accompanying one and a half story wood frame keeper s house, was erected in 1808. A second tower of the same style replaced the first in 1858. A pub and distillery were located on the island in the 1870s and patrons of that establishment became so merry or loopy one evening that they allegedly set fire to the source of their pleasure. The light station survived the fire.