Must See Destinations

Plan a Visit to the Best Lighthouses in Florida

Best Lighthouses in Florida

Does anything say “trip to the seaside” better than happening upon a lighthouse perched along the coast? And there’s just about no better place to enjoy a good lighthouse than in Florida (sorry, Maine!). Between the warm sea breeze, white sands, and toasty sun, we think it’s high time you plan a visit to some of the best lighthouses in Florida. And we’re here to tell you exactly what those are. 

But first, you may be wondering “how many lighthouses are in Florida, anyway?” Accounts vary, but we can safely say there are somewhere between 30 and 40 lighthouses. Unfortunately, you can’t visit every single one of them (only certain lighthouses are open to visitors); however, we have a list of the five best lighthouses in Florida that DO support visitors. 

So, keep reading if you’re ready to get your lighthouse on during your trip to the Florida coast. In this post, we’ll discuss five lighthouses you won’t want to miss, as well as our lighthouses in Florida map that you can use to find lighthouses near you.

Ready? Let’s dive in. 

  1. Jupiter Lighthouse
Best Lighthouses in Florida
Jupiter Lighthouse

If you’re looking for a lighthouse that sits along the Atlantic, then the Jupiter Lighthouse and Museum is the one for you. Located just north of West Palm Beach in the town of Jupiter, this lighthouse and museum is an excellent place to explore and learn about Florida history (in addition to seeing a great lighthouse, of course!). That’s because the lighthouse was built all the way in 1860! 

The lighthouse and museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10AM to 4PM. The gift shop stays open until 5PM, so you can grab a keepsake or two to commemorate your visit. In addition to self-guided tours, you can also enjoy a guided tour at 12PM or 2PM if you visit Tuesday through Friday. 

You may also consider enjoying one of the regular events that the Loxahatchee River Historical Society puts on. This is the nonprofit that manages the lighthouse. They offer special ways to enjoy the lighthouse, including guided history tours and sunset tours of the lighthouse. Find the Jupiter Lighthouse at the address below: 

500 Captain Armour’s Way

Jupiter, FL 33469

  1. Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse
Best Lighthouses in Florida
Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse

The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and Museum is the tallest of the Florida lighthouses, standing at a massive 175 feet tall. It also has some history behind it. Built in 1887, this lighthouse is more than 130 years old. 

The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is located close to Daytona Beach, making it a great place to visit before you hit the beach for the day. Keep in mind that its hours vary depending on the time of the year. From September 6 to May 26 (or thereabouts), you can visit the lighthouse from 10AM to 7PM. In the summer months, the lighthouse is open from 10AM to 9PM.

You can find this lighthouse at the address below: 

4931 S. Peninsula Drive

Ponce Inlet, FL 32127

  1. St. Augustine Lighthouse
Best Lighthouses in Florida
St. Augustine Lighthouse

Yet another great Florida lighthouse is the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum. This lighthouse was built in 1874 and stands at 165 feet tall. If you plan to climb all the way to the top, be sure to wear your walking shoes, as it’s 219 steps to the observation deck! 

In addition to climbing the lighthouse during your visit, you can also visit educational exhibits located in four different historic buildings, plus the Maritime Education Center which provides even more opportunities to learn. If you have kiddos, they can also enjoy exploring a playground “shipwreck” after all your learning. 

To access this lighthouse, plan to pay $14.95 for each adult, $12.95 for seniors (60 and over), and $12.95 for kids 12 and under. You can find the St. Augustine Lighthouse at: 

100 Red Cox Road

St. Augustine, FL 32080

  1. Key West Lighthouse 
Best Lighthouses in Florida
Key West Lighthouse 

For those of you who plan to take a trip as far south in the continental U.S. as possible, you’ll likely be interested in learning about lighthouses in the Florida Keys. The Keywest Lighthouse opened in 1848 and is historically significant in that the first lighthouse keeper was a woman (which was very uncommon in that day and age). 

When you visit the Key West Lighthouse, you can climb 88 steps to the top, as well as learn more about the history of the lighthouse and its various keepers. This lighthouse is open Monday through Sunday from 10AM to 5PM. Plan to arrive by 4:30 at the latest if you’re visiting later in the day, as this is the last admission. The Key West Lighthouse is located at: 

938 Whitehead Street

Key West, Florida 33040

  1. Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum
Best Lighthouses in Florida
Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum

When it comes to lighthouses in the Florida Gulf Coast, you won’t want to miss the Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum. This lighthouse was built in 1859 and is 177 steps to the top of the structure. In addition to climbing the lighthouse, you can also check out the museum’s various exhibits to learn all about its history. 

This lighthouse and museum is open every day from 10AM to 5PM, with the last ticket sales taking place at 4:40PM. Tickets cost $9.50 for adults and $6.50 for seniors (65 and older), children 12 and under, and members of the military. The best part? Children under 44 inches tall can enter for free! 

You can find the Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum at: 

 2081 Radford Boulevard
Pensacola, FL 32508

Wrap-Up

Now that you’ve learned about some of the coolest lighthouses in Florida, why not check out our lighthouses Florida map? Using this map, you can search for “lighthouses in Florida near me” to plan your next weekend trip. Enjoy!