FLORIDA LIGHTHOUSES TO VISIT & CLIMB

By  Mike Miller  Updated July 19, 2024

There are 38 lighthouses in Florida, but only 6 are open to the public.

Florida has many lighthouses that are fun to visit on a road trip.  Some of them allow you to climb to the top.

5 Lighthouses on One Road Trip5 Lighthouses on One Road Trip

Not only are they among the state's most historic structures, most of them have adjacent museums where you can learn all about the lighthouses and their history.

Here is a road trip where you can visit 5 lighthouses in central and northeast Florida. 

The total round trip route is about 340 miles, so it's probably best to make it a two day venture.

MOUNT DORA LIGHTHOUSE is in the quaint small town of Mount Dora about 30 miles Northwest of Orlando.  Some purists consider this lighthouse on freshwater Lake Dora to be a "faux lighthouse", but they are wrong.  READ MORE ABOUT THE MOUNT DORA LIGHTHOUSE.

Mount Dora LighthouseMount Dora Lighthouse

PONCE INLET LIGHTHOUSE is located in the village of Ponce Inlet between Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach.  It is Florida's tallest lighthouse, and is designated a National Historic Landmark.  You can climb to the top of it if you are decent shape.  READ MORE ABOUT THE PONCE INLET LIGHTHOUSE.

Ponce Inlet LighthousePonce Inlet Lighthouse

ST. AUGUSTINE LIGHTHOUSE.  This historic structure is on Anastasia Island between downtown St. Augustine and the Atlantic Ocean.  A climb to the top gives you a fantastic view of the town, the inlet, Salt Run, and the ocean.  READ MORE ABOUT THE ST. AUGUSTINE LIGHTHOUSE.

St Augustine LighthouseSt Augustine Lighthouse

ST. JOHNS RIVER LIGHT.  This lighthouse is located on the U.S. Naval Station Mayport near the St. Johns River inlet to the Atlantic Ocean.  It is not open to the public, but you can get a good view of it from the village of Mayport.  You can get good food in the town.  READ MORE ABOUT THE ST. JOHNS RIVER LIGHT. 

St Johns River LightSt Johns River Light

AMELIA ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE.  This structure is in Fernandina Beach and is the northernmost lighthouse in Florida.  It overlooks the St. Mary's River and the inlet to the Atlantic Ocean.  It is the oldest existing lighthouse in Florida.  READ MORE ABOUT AMELIA ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE.

Amelia Island LighthouseAmelia Island Lighthouse

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