Lighthouses in Florida
Florida has a rich maritime history.
Especially in early seafaring days, Florida residents and mariners relied on lighthouses in Florida to avoid dangerous reefs, shoals and other maritime hazards.
The following lighthouses are located in Florida.
- Alligator Reef
- Amelia Island
- American Shoal
- Anclote Key
- Cape Canaveral
- Cape Florida
- Cape San Blas
- Cape St. George
- Carysfort Reef
- Cedar Keys
- Crooked River
- Egmont Key
- Fowey Works
- Garden Key Tortugas Harbor
- Gasparilla Island
- Hillsboro Inlet
- Jupiter Inlet
- Key West
- Loggerhead Key
- Pensacola
- Ponce De Leon Inlet
- Port Boca Grande
- Sand Key
- Sanibel Island
- Sombrero Key
- St. Augustine
- St. Johns Lighthouse
- St. Johns River Lighthouse
- St. Marks
- Tennessee Reef Light
How many lighthouses are there in Florida?
There are 30 lighthouses in Florida which are either actively used for maritime navigation, or were used in the past.
The number of lighthouses in Florida rises to more than 47 when “Faux” lighthouses are included, which are not officially used for maritime navigation.
What lighthouses are open to the public in Florida?
Many lighthouses in Florida are open to the public. Some offer the chance to climb inside lighthouses, while others offer museums and other interpretive exhibits.
Many lighthouses in Florida are located inside state parks, national parks, or other public lands.
The following Florida lighthouses are open to the public, among others:
St. Augustine Lighthouse
Located in St. Augustine, the St. Augustine Lighthouse dates back to 1874.
The lighthouse is open for tours, including the chance to climb to the top for a view of historic St. Augustine and the Atlantic Ocean.
Ponce de Leon Inlet Light Station
The Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse is located in the Ponce Inlet. The Ponce de Leon lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Florida and the second tallest in the U.S.
The lighthouse is open for tours and also features a museum on the grounds.
Key West Lighthouse
The Key West lighthouse is perhaps the most famous lighthouse in Florida. The lighthouse dates back to 1848 and is open for weddings and other tours.
The Key West lighthouse is often voted as one of the best things to do in Key West, and gives one of the best views of the island.
Hillsboro Lighthouse
St. George Island Lighthouse
The St. George Island lighthouse is located on St. George Island in the Gulf of Mexico. The lighthouse is generally open for tours.
Visitors are allowed to climb to the top for a view of St. George island and the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Cape Florida Lighthouse
The Cape Florida lighthouse is among the most famous lighthouses in Florida.
The Cape Florida lighthouse is located inside Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, on the island of Key Biscayne, south of Miami.
The Cape Florida lighthouse is generally open for public tours, subject to scheduling. Lighthouse visitors can climb to the top of the lighthouse to enjoy beautiful views.
