With over a thousand miles of coastline, it’s no wonder Florida has some of the best lighthouses in the U.S. Check out our pick for the top 10.
Florida has 30 lighthouses marking its coastline, it ranks 7th in the country for most lighthouses. If you want to visit lighthouses while in Florida it can be difficult to decide where to start. Here are our picks for the best lighthouses in Florida and the ones that you must see if you have the chance!
10. Amelia Island Lighthouse
The Amelia Island lighthouse makes the list simply because it’s the oldest lighthouse in Florida. Built in 1838, this lighthouse is a living piece of Florida history and it continues to exist without ever going through a major restoration. The property can be visited by the public only on Saturdays and tours are available twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays.
9. Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse
The Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse is a unique mark on the Florida coastline. It has one of the most powerful lights on any lighthouse in the world, it can be seen for about 28 nautical miles. The lighthouse is located on Coast Guard territory, so it is not available for visiting all the time. Tours are available about once a month and are definitely worth the $25 dollar fee for the great history and the view from the top.
8. Saint George Island Lighthouse
The Saint George Island Lighthouse is a simple lighthouse and a fun way to spend a day. It’s most famous for sliding into the Gulf of Mexico and collapsing in 2005. But this is the little lighthouse that could, rebuilt and opened to the public in 2008. You can visit the lighthouse at almost any time, but for a completely unique experience they have an event at every full moon for people to climb to the top of the lighthouse and watch the sun set and the moon rise.
7. Cape Florida Lighthouse
The Cape Florida Lighthouse is a traditional lighthouse with a very similar appearance the Key West Lighthouse. This is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon as a family. The lighthouse is right next to the beach, so plan a little beach trip with a climb to the top of the lighthouse as an added bonus.
6. Key West Lighthouse
The Key West Lighthouse is a traditional lighthouse that makes a beautiful mark on the country’s southernmost city. The real draw of this lighthouse, though, is its location. Surrounded by Key West tourist attractions on all sides, The Key West Lighthouse is an easy addition to any Key West vacation. In fact it’s right across the street from The Ernest Hemingway House and Museum.
5. Cape Canaveral Lighthouse
The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse is a beautiful lighthouse, particularly if you can catch the view of the lighthouse with a shuttle launch from the Kennedy Space Center in the background. A visit to the lighthouse is a great addition to your space center vacation. Unfortunately the visits to the lighthouse itself are somewhat difficult. Tours are currently unavailable, but they are expected to resume twice a week soon.
4. Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse is a beautiful lighthouse with a vibrant red color. A visit to this lighthouse is a full experience by itself. You can experience the beautiful views from the top of this lighthouse by first visiting the museum. There they offer a complete historical tour including several fascinating outdoor exhibits that concludes with a climb up the lighthouse.
3. Pensacola Lighthouse
The Pensacola Lighthouse is a unique lighthouse with the top half painted black and the bottom half painted white. It was designed that way to make it visible from far off distances, the black top stands out from the sky whilst the white bottom stands out against the trees. The lighthouse climb and the museum underneath are well worth the visit for the whole family. Beware though, this light house is rumored to be haunted.
2. Ponce de Leon Lighthouse
The Ponce de Leon Lighthouse is most impressive for its outstanding height of 175 feet. It is the tallest lighthouse in Florida and the third tallest lighthouse in the entire country. If you feel like braving the 203 step climb to the top you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Ponce Inlet waterways and the surrounding area. There’s also a small museum that teaches the lighthouses history.
1. St. Augustine Lighthouse
There really is no doubt that the St. Augustine Lighthouse is Florida’s best lighthouse. This is the Florida lighthouse. Its image is an iconic part of our nation’s oldest continuing city. The lighthouse and its museum are a must-see on any St. Augustine vacation and it’s 190,000 visitors a year seem to agree.
