Finally, the light was automated and in 1990, the career Coast Guard man and his family were transferred to the Great Lakes. Goat Island has recently been purchased from the government by the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust which owns several other islands in the Cape Porpoise group. Fundraising efforts are ongoing to improve the buildings and grounds of Goat Island, including the replacement of the walkway. 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.