Looking for a travel destination that offers plenty of lighthouses to explore? Florida Lighthouse are some of the state’s oldest structures.
They have been guiding ships since early 1800s, and their stories are truly fascinating. Many of the lighthouses are open to the public, and they offer stunning views of the coastline.
Whether you’re interested in history or just looking for a unique tourist destination, Florida’s lighthouses are worth a visit.
Florida has you covered! With over 1800 miles of coastline, Florida is home to 29 different lighthouses. While not all are open to the public, 14 of them offer tours and another 6 have grounds that can be explored.
Florida Lighthouses Map
Florida Lighthouse Map shows all the lighthouses in the state, from Key West to Pensacola. Of course, there are plenty of other attractions along the way, so you might want to plan your stops accordingly. But if you’re intent on seeing all the lighthouses, this map will give you a good starting point.
Best Lighthouse to visit in florida
1) Pensacola Florida Lighthouse
The Pensacola Lighthouse is a historic Florida lighthouse that was built in 1859. The lighthouse stands at 177 feet tall and has a spectacular view of the Gulf Coast.
Also, Visitors can climb to the top of the lighthouse and enjoy the view from the top. The Pensacola Lighthouse is claimed to be haunted and was featured on the TV show Ghost Hunters.
The tower has been restored and is open to the public for tours.
Opening Hours
Monday – Thursday: 10:00AM – 4:00PM
Friday – Sunday: 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Entry Fees
Adults: $9.50
12 & Under: $6.50
65 & Over: $6.50
Military Members: $6.50
Children Under 44 inches are Free
2) Cape Canaveral Florida Lighthouse
Although most people think of Cape Canaveral as the site of space shuttle launches, the area is also home to an active lighthouse.
The conical iron tower, painted with black and white horizontal bands, is located at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
The lighthouse is 145 feet tall, has 179 steps, and has an oil storage house. The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse is one of the oldest structures in Florida and was recently re-opened to the public.
Visitors can climb to the top of the tower for a panoramic view of the area and tour the oil storage house. The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse is a unique window into Florida’s past, and it’s well worth a visit.
3) Crooked River Lighthouse
The Crooked River Lighthouse is one of Florida’s many historic lighthouses. It was built in 1895 to guide fishermen, oystermen, and lumber ships through the pass between Dog Island and St. George Island.
The lighthouse is located on the southern tip of St. George Island and is open to the public for tours. The Crooked River Lighthouse is a popular tourist destination, and visitors can enjoy views of the Gulf of Mexico from the top of the lighthouse.
The lighthouse is also a popular spot for fishing and picnicking. Visitors can also explore the nearby state park, which offers hiking trails, camping, and a beach.
Entry Fees
The fee to Climb $5.00
4) Gasparilla Island Lighthouse
The Gasparilla Island Lighthouse is a Florida landmark with a long and exciting history and the lighthouse was built in Delaware in 1891 but was moved to Gasparilla Island in 1927.
Although you cannot enter the lighthouse, you can easily approach it for photographs. It stands on the road leading to Boca Grande Lighthouse, within the Gasparilla Island State Park.This lighthouse is 105 feet tall, with a white steel skeletal tower.
It is currently active and has a range of 12 miles. The Gasparilla Island Lighthouse is a popular spot for photography, and its history makes it a fascinating destination for visitors.
5) Port Boca Grande Lighthouse
The Port Boca Grande Lighthouse is a quaint structure located on the west coast of Florida near Cape Coral.
The active lighthouse is operated by Florida State Park Service and was constructed in 1890. It is only 44 feet tall, with 60 steps to the top.
The Barrier Island Parks Society maintains the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse. Its small size and picturesque location make it a popular tourist destination.
Undoubtedly, Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico from the top of the lighthouse tower.
6) Cedar Keys
After being closed to the public for over two hundred years, the Cedar Keys Lighthouse is now open to visitors on the third weekend of October each year.
Standing at just 33 feet tall, it is the smallest lighthouse in Florida and can be accessed by climbing 35 steps. The white house-style structure was built in 1854 and has undergone several frame additions.
In addition to the main lighthouse building, there is a water tank, cistern, and oil storage house on the property.
Although it is only open for a limited time each year, the Cedar Keys Lighthouse offers a unique glimpse into Florida’s maritime history.
7) Key West
The Key West Lighthouse is a Florida lighthouse located in the Key West Historic District. The first light tower was built in 1825 but due to hurricane the lighthouse was destroyed.
The current tower was constructed in 1848 and has undergone several renovations, including the installation of a Third Order Fresnel Lens, the addition of Keeper’s Quarters, and the electrification of the light.
This sentinel of the sea is now a fitting tribute to Key West’s maritime legacy as well as the men and women who heroically kept the light glowing against perils of war and weather.
Visitors can walk up the 88 steps to the top of the light and explore the belongings, photographs, and words of the lighthouse Keepers and their families who lived a now obsolete yet never forgotten way of life.
Admission Fees
Adults: $17
Senior/Local/College ID/Retired Military: $12
Youth (Ages 7-18): $8
8) Dry Tortugas
The Dry Tortugas lighthouse is a Florida lighthouse that was built in 1858. It is located on Garden Key, part of the Dry Tortugas islands.
The lighthouse is 157 feet tall and has 204 steps. The bottom half of the lighthouse is white, and the top half is black.
There is also a 1926 dwelling, a former kitchen, and an attached oil house on the grounds. The Dry Tortugas lighthouse is currently active and operated by the US Coast Guard.
The grounds can be visited, but the lighthouse must be reached by boat or seaplane from Key West. There is also a gift shop on the premises.
9) Hillsboro Inlet
The Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse is one of the many beautiful lighthouses in Florida. The skeletal structure is white on the bottom and black on the top, with a black lantern.
It is 142 feet tall, has 175 steps, and was first lit in 1907. It is only open four times a year; visitors can enjoy stunning coast views when it is open.
The Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse is a popular spot for photographers and those who simply enjoy admiring its striking architecture.
10) St. Augustine
The St. Augustine lighthouse is one of the more popular Florida lighthouses due to the number of tourists who visit St. Augustine.
The lighthouse is 167 feet tall with distinct black-and-white spiral stripes, topped with red lantern. It is an active lighthouse, built of brick in 1871, restored in 1994-95, and restored in 2000.
Moreover, The museum, gift shop, and lighthouse tower are open to the public.
So, check out some of the other local attractions such as the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park.
11) Mayport
The Mayport Lighthouse is a Florida lighthouse located on the grounds of the Mayport Naval Station. It was built in 1954 and has 71 steps. It has a white square masonry tower with reinforced concrete and a 1950’s keeper’s dwelling.
However, The lighthouse is an important aid to navigation in the area and is a popular spot for visitors to the naval base.
12) St. Marks
The St. Marks Lighthouse is one of the beautiful lighthouses in Florida. Constructed in 1829-1830, it is an active lighthouse that stands 88 feet tall and has 80 steps.
The lighthouse is located on the grounds of St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge, and visitors to the refuge are welcome to explore the grounds and view the lighthouse up close.
If you’re ever in the area, check out this stunning piece of history!
