Florida has more than 1,800 miles of coastline, more than any other state in the continental United States. To ensure safe marine navigation along that vast stretch of waterfront, Florida boasts an impressive collection of lighthouses, including some of the nation's oldest and tallest. There are thirty lighthouses still standing proud in Florida. Most of these have been lovingly preserved and several have undergone complete restoration. Some invite visitors to climb their spiraling staircases and take in the dazzling view from their lofty lanterns. Many others, although their towers aren't open to the public, are located in public parks and can be easily viewed at close range. Even the spider-legged reef lighthouses offshore can be conveniently viewed by boat. But in every case, these venerable beacons continue to illuminate the pages of history. Be sure to have your camera handy.

This tour explores the entire state, from the Northeast Coast down along the Atlantic Ocean to the Florida Keys, and back up the West Coast along the Gulf of Mexico.

Because days and hours of operation vary greatly, and some lighthouses have minimum age and/or height requirements for climbing their towers, we strongly recommend calling the contact number provided before traveling to visit the lighthouses.


NORTHEAST COAST

 The journey begins at the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum, (904) 829-0745. To get there from I-95, exit at S.R. 16 (Exit 318, about 30 miles south of Jacksonville) and drive east for about six miles until you reach U.S. 1. Turn right and proceed south for a mile and a half, then turn left on King St. Cross the Bridge of Lions and you'll be on Anastasia Island. Continuing on U.S. 1, turn left on Lighthouse Ave. and then right on White St. East. The lighthouse and museum are at 81 Lighthouse Ave. This lighthouse holds the distinction of being one of the first in Florida officially authorized by Congress. It was built in 1824 and the present 161-foot tall tower, constructed in 1874, is the state's only spiral-banded lighthouse. It also retains its original first-order Fresnel (pronounced "frenɪ'-el") lens. Six flights of stairs with frequent landings make the tower climb an easy one and well worth the sweeping view it affords of "America's Oldest City." The beautifully restored keeper's quarters houses a gift shop and museum filled with period furnishings from the lighthouse's early years.

Since you will already be on A1A, the easiest and most scenic route to reach the next lighthouse is to simply stay on that road and drive south about 50 miles to Daytona Beach. A1A is also called Atlantic Ave. once you reach Daytona Beach. Take Atlantic Ave. to the end of the inlet and follow the signs to reach the lighthouse. The Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, (386) 761-1821, a 175-foot tall tower and the second tallest in the U.S., was completed in 1887 to guide mariners as they navigated one of the nation's most treacherous inlets. This is one of only a handful of early light stations that has retained all of its original buildings. Here you'll see the restored keeper's house, a mariner's museum and several magnificent Fresnel lenses. A 203-step climb brings you to the lighthouse's gallery and a panoramic view of the Atlantic coast.

To find the next lighthouse at Jupiter Inlet, head back north on A1A approximately five miles and turn left on Dunlawton Blvd. Follow Dunlawton five miles west to I-95. Head south on I-95 for 130 miles to the S.R. 70/Okeechobee Rd. exit (Exit 129). Bear right on Okeechobee Rd., then turn left on S. Kings Hwy. to get to the entrance ramp for Florida's Turnpike. Take the turnpike south 37 miles to the Indiantown Rd./Jupiter exit (Exit 116). Turn left on Indiantown Rd. and drive five miles to U.S. 1, where you again turn left. At the first stoplight, turn right on C.R. 707/Beach Rd. and then right again into Lighthouse Park. Designed by George Gordon Meade, the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse's, (561) 747-8380, distinctive red tower was first illuminated in 1860. Meade was famous, not only as a Union general, but also as the engineer of several revolutionary screw-pile lighthouses. The 108-foot tower sits on a 48-foot tall ancient Indian shell mound and is topped with its original first-order Fresnel lens, possibly the oldest in the state. A small museum in the tower's former oil storage building showcases the station's long career. Extensive renovation of the lighthouse was completed in 2000.


SOUTHEAST COAST

 To reach today's first lighthouse, return to I-95 and drive south 80 miles to Miami. Take the Rickenbacker Causeway exit (Exit 1A), continue east on the Causeway (S.R 913) across Biscayne Bay, past the Miami Seaquarium and Miami Museum of Science and Space Transit Planetarium and onto Key Biscayne itself. The road will end at the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and the Cape Florida Lighthouse, (305) 361-5811, Dade County's oldest structure. The very first Cape Florida lighthouse was built at the southern tip of Key Biscayne but destroyed in 1836 during a Seminole attack. The present tower, dating from 1847, was rebuilt by George G. Meade in 1855 to reinforce its construction. An extensive restoration project spearheaded by The Dade Heritage Trust was completed in 2003, so the lighthouse and keeper's quarters today faithfully reflect their 1855 appearance.

The drive to Key West is a delightful experience. Drive west on Rickenbacker Causeway to U.S. 1 and turn south to Key West for the 154 mile drive surrounded by clear skies, sparkling waters and charming vistas. Follow U.S. 1 (Truman St.) through the city to Whitehead St. and the Key West Lighthouse and Museum, (305) 294-0012, will be on your left. The original lighthouse, activated in 1826, was replaced further inland, the first lighthouse built within the limits of a city, in 1848. The attractive white tower with its black lantern became a beacon to land travelers as well as to those traveling by sea. Today, beautifully restored and maintained by the Key West Art and Historical Society, a climb to the top of its 80 steps rewards the visitor with a spectacular view of the island and harbor. Visitors are also welcome in the museum, housed in the restored keeper's dwelling.


SOUTHWEST COAST

 Depart Key West on U.S. 1 North, driving 129 miles to the southern entrance of Florida's Turnpike. Follow the turnpike north 39 miles to the I-75 North exit toward Naples (Exit 39), then travel I-75 north approximately 164 miles to the Kings Hwy. exit (Exit 170). After only about a block on King's Hwy., turn right on Veteran's Hwy. which will become S.R. 776. After approximately 10 miles, turn left on Gasparilla Rd. (also S.R. 771). Travel S.R. 771 to the Boca Grande Causeway and turn left, be prepared to stop and pay toll. At the four-way stop sign once you're on Gasparilla Island, turn right. The road makes a quick jog back to the left and you will be on Gulf Blvd. Stay on Gulf Blvd. for nine miles and at the stop sign at Belcher Rd., go straight ahead into the park; be prepared to pay a nominal fee. Here at the southern end of Gasparilla Island you will find the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse, (941) 964-0375. There are three buildings on the island. The first of the structures to be erected, the white Boca Grande Lighthouse is in the "cottage style" with a matching keeper's house. In 1930, the light was supplemented by a newer, skeletal steel tower, the Gasparilla Island Rear Range Light, (941) 964-0375, designed to provide rear range guidance to ships entering the harbor. This structure is located one mile north. Both lighthouses are operational today and although the steel tower is not open to the public, the clapboard lighthouse is.

Head further north to view the sunset and the lighthouse at Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge and State Park, (727) 893-2627, that marks the entrance to the Ports of Tampa and St. Petersburg. From Gasparilla Island, return to I-75, then drive north about 50 miles to I-275 and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. After crossing the bridge to St. Petersburg, take Exit 4 and travel west on the Pinellas Bayway S.R. 682, then south on Pinellas Bayway S.R. 679 to Fort DeSoto Park. Built in 1848, Egmont Key Lighthouse, was at the time the only lighthouse on the west coast situated between Key West and St. Marks. The present building was relocated inland upon its reconstruction in 1858 and still displays a diaphone fog horn, radio beacon and a reproduction keeper's uniform. The Northern navy used the island as a post for its blockade of the Confederacy during the Civil War. Estimated to be the oldest structure in the Tampa Bay Area, the lighthouse is only accessible by private boat or excursion boats which operate from marinas throughout the St. Petersburg area.


NORTH CENTRAL COAST

 A pleasant day's drive northwest along the Gulf of Mexico leads to the St. Marks Lighthouse, located at the mouth of the St. Marks River, 20 miles south of Tallahassee. To get there from St. Petersburg, drive north on U.S. 19 approximately 70 miles. When U.S. 19 North joins U.S. 98 West in Crystal River, continue north 90 miles to Perry. Follow U.S. 98 west in Perry and drive 41 miles to C.R. 59 and turn left into the entrance to St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, (850) 925-6121. This brilliant white lighthouse sits east of the harbor entrance at the foot of C.R. 59, looking out over the blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The tower was erected in 1842 after efforts to provide a safe foundation for the original failed in the 1830s. Viewing of the lighthouse is permitted, and the surrounding habitat provides spectacular bird-watching opportunities. Dolphins can frequently be seen from the point.

Through its lifetime, this lighthouse was hit several times by Union forces across the bay at Fort Pickens, sustained lightening strikes, and even the Charleston Earthquake of 1886 and a tornado, but the structure held firm and is now operated by the U.S. Coast Guard.

NORTHWEST COAST

 Begin the day with an early morning drive along Florida's northwest Gulf Coast. Follow scenic U.S. 98 west through the towns of Apalachicola, Panama City, and Destin to Pensacola. (Notice, just before you reach the town of Mexico Beach, that you are passing into the Central Time zone, so noon will only be 11 a.m.). After crossing the Pensacola Bay Bridge, follow the signs to stay on B.R. 98 about two miles to S.R. 292 (Pace Blvd. which becomes Barrancas Ave.). Turn left on S.R. 292, continue about seven miles, then turn left on S.R. 173, which will lead you to Pensacola Naval Air Station. After passing through the guard station, the Pensacola Lighthouse, (850) 455-2354, will be on your right, directly across from the Naval Aviation Museum. Constructed in 1824, Pensacola's original lighthouse was a temporary lightship that sat at the entrance to Pensacola Bay. The 171-foot painted brick tower that stands today was first lit on January 1, 1859. Through its lifetime, this lighthouse was hit several times by Union forces across the bay at Fort Pickens, sustained lightening strikes, and even the Charleston Earthquake of 1886 and a tornado, but the structure held firm and is now operated by the U.S. Coast Guard. The renovated keeper's lodge houses Civil War artifacts.

For those interested in learning more about lighthouses or in joining the Florida Lighthouse Association, visit www.floridalighthouses.org.