Atlantic Coast Lighthouses: The Southeast
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Virginia

1. Assateague Light

1. Location: Assateague Island, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Accomack County, VA
2. Coordinates: 37°54'37.3"N 75°21'22.9"W (37.9104, -75.3564)
3. Status: Active.
4. History: The current 142-foot brick tower was first lit in 1867, replacing an earlier, inadequate 1833 tower. Its distinctive red and white bands make it a famous landmark. It was built to warn mariners of the dangerous shoals off the Virginia and Maryland coasts.
5. Viewing Information: Located within the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The grounds are accessible via a service road. The tower is managed by the Chincoteague Natural History Association, which offers climbs to the top seasonally for a fee.

2. Cape Charles Light

1. Location: Smith Island, Northampton County, VA
2. Coordinates: 37°07'23.0"N 75°54'22.0"W (37.1231, -75.9061)
3. Status: Deactivated.
4. History: The current 191-foot octagonal steel skeletal tower, built in 1895, is the third lighthouse at this location and the second tallest in the United States. The light was automated in 1963 and later extinguished. The first-order Fresnel lens is now at The Mariners' Museum in Newport News.
5. Viewing Information: The lighthouse is located on a remote, privately owned island that is rapidly eroding. It is not accessible to the public and can only be viewed by boat.

3. Cape Henry Lighthouse (Old)

1. Location: Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story, Virginia Beach, VA
2. Coordinates: 36°55'34.3"N 76°00'29.2"W (36.9262, -76.0081)
3. Status: Deactivated. National Historic Landmark.
4. History: Authorized by George Washington and overseen by Alexander Hamilton, this 1792 octagonal sandstone tower was the first lighthouse authorized and funded by the new United States federal government. It was a vital beacon at the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. It was deactivated in 1881 after concerns about its stability.
5. Viewing Information: Located on an active military base. Visitors must pass through a security gate (valid ID required). The lighthouse is managed by Preservation Virginia and is open for climbs seasonally for a fee.

4. Cape Henry Lighthouse (New)

1. Location: Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story, Virginia Beach, VA
2. Coordinates: 36°55'32.0"N 76°00'27.7"W (36.9256, -76.0077)
3. Status: Active.
4. History: Built in 1881 to replace the original tower, this 157-foot octagonal cast-iron tower stands just 350 feet from its predecessor. Its black and white daymark makes it easily distinguishable. It remains a critical active aid to navigation.
5. Viewing Information: Located on an active military base. As an active Coast Guard light, it is not open to the public, but it can be viewed and photographed from the grounds near the old lighthouse.

5. Chesapeake Light

1. Location: Offshore, 14 miles east of Virginia Beach, VA
2. Coordinates: 36°54'18.0"N 75°42'48.0"W (36.9050, -75.7133)
3. Status: Active.
4. History: A massive "Texas Tower" style lighthouse built in 1965 to replace a lightship. This modern structure includes a two-story living area and a helicopter pad. It was automated in 1980.
5. Viewing Information: Not accessible. It is located far offshore and can only be seen by private boat.

6. New Point Comfort Light

1. Location: Mobjack Bay, Mathews County, VA
2. Coordinates: 37°17'57.1"N 76°16'36.5"W (37.2992, -76.2768)
3. Status: Deactivated.
4. History: This 58-foot sandstone tower was built in 1805. It once stood on a peninsula, but erosion has turned its location into an island, leaving the lighthouse standing isolated in the water.
5. Viewing Information: Not accessible by land. It can be viewed from the New Point Comfort Observation Walkway on the mainland or by boat.

7. Old Point Comfort Lighthouse

1. Location: Fort Monroe, Hampton, VA
2. Coordinates: 37°00'07.2"N 76°18'24.8"W (37.0020, -76.3069)
3. Status: Active.
4. History: The second oldest lighthouse on the Chesapeake Bay, this 1803 sandstone tower has been in continuous operation since its construction. It stands on the grounds of historic Fort Monroe.
5. Viewing Information: Located within Fort Monroe National Monument. The grounds are accessible, and visitors can walk right up to the base of the tower. The tower itself is not open to the public.

8. Wolf Trap Light

1. Location: Chesapeake Bay, off Mathews County, VA
2. Coordinates: 37°23'27.0"N 76°11'21.0"W (37.3908, -76.1892)
3. Status: Active. Privately owned.
4. History: An 1894 "sparkplug" style lighthouse built on a caisson. It replaced an earlier screw-pile lighthouse that was carried away by ice. It was sold at auction in 2005.
5. Viewing Information: Not accessible. Can only be viewed by private boat.

North Carolina

1. Bald Head Lighthouse ("Old Baldy")

1. Location: Bald Head Island, Brunswick County, NC
2. Coordinates: 33°52'23.8"N 77°59'48.5"W (33.8733, -77.9968)
3. Status: Deactivated. Maintained by the Old Baldy Foundation.
4. History: Built in 1817, this is the oldest standing lighthouse in North Carolina. The octagonal brick tower was built to guide ships into the Cape Fear River. It was deactivated in 1935 but was relit as a private, non-navigational light in 1985. Its mottled stucco exterior gives it a unique appearance.
5. Viewing Information: Located on Bald Head Island, which is accessible by passenger ferry from Southport. The lighthouse and an adjacent museum are open to the public for climbs daily during the summer season.

2. Bodie Island Lighthouse

1. Location: Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Dare County, NC
2. Coordinates: 35°49'09.3"N 75°33'45.8"W (35.8192, -75.5627)
3. Status: Active.
4. History: The current 156-foot tower, with its bold horizontal black and white bands, was first lit in 1872. It is the third lighthouse built to serve this location, as the first was poorly constructed and the second was destroyed by Confederate troops during the Civil War.
5. Viewing Information: Located within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The National Park Service opens the lighthouse for climbs seasonally. Tickets are required and can be booked online.

3. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

1. Location: Buxton, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Dare County, NC
2. Coordinates: 35°15'01.9"N 75°31'43.8"W (35.2505, -75.5288)
3. Status: Active.
4. History: The tallest brick lighthouse in the United States at 198 feet. The current tower, famous for its black and white spiral daymark, was built in 1870. It protects one of the most hazardous sections of the Atlantic coast, known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic." In 1999, it was famously moved 2,900 feet inland to save it from beach erosion.
5. Viewing Information: A major tourist attraction within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The National Park Service allows climbing seasonally, a strenuous 257-step journey to the top.

4. Cape Lookout Lighthouse

1. Location: Core Banks, Cape Lookout National Seashore, Carteret County, NC
2. Coordinates: 34°37'22.6"N 76°31'29.0"W (34.6229, -76.5247)
3. Status: Active.
4. History: The current 163-foot tower was built in 1859. Its distinctive black and white diamond pattern was painted in 1873 to serve as a unique daymark. It is one of the very few lighthouses that operates 24 hours a day.
5. Viewing Information: Accessible only by passenger ferry from Harkers Island or Beaufort. The grounds are open to the public. The National Park Service offers climbs seasonally.

5. Currituck Beach Lighthouse

1. Location: Corolla, Currituck County, NC
2. Coordinates: 36°22'36.4"N 75°49'51.2"W (36.3768, -75.8309)
3. Status: Active.
4. History: First lit in 1875, this 162-foot tower was the last major brick lighthouse built on the Outer Banks. It was intentionally left unpainted to differentiate it from the other regional lighthouses, showcasing its millions of red bricks.
5. Viewing Information: The lighthouse is open to the public for climbs daily from spring through fall. The historic keeper's house also serves as a museum shop.

6. Ocracoke Lighthouse

1. Location: Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC
2. Coordinates: 35°06'31.6"N 75°59'09.8"W (35.1088, -75.9861)
3. Status: Active.
4. History: Built in 1823, this 75-foot whitewashed brick tower is the second oldest operating lighthouse in the nation. It guides ships through the Ocracoke Inlet.
5. Viewing Information: Located in the heart of Ocracoke village. The grounds at the base of the lighthouse are open to the public during limited hours. The tower itself is not open for climbing.

7. Oak Island Lighthouse

1. Location: Caswell Beach, Brunswick County, NC
2. Coordinates: 33°53'33.7"N 78°02'06.5"W (33.8927, -78.0351)
3. Status: Active.
4. History: Completed in 1958, this is one of the newest lighthouses in the U.S. The 153-foot concrete tower was built to replace the Cape Fear Lighthouse. Its light is one of the most powerful in the country.
5. Viewing Information: Located next to a Coast Guard station. The grounds are open to the public for viewing. Tours to the top are available year-round by appointment only, requiring reservations several weeks in advance.

South Carolina

1. Cape Romain Lighthouses (1827 & 1858)

1. Location: Lighthouse Island, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, Charleston County, SC
2. Coordinates: 33°01'06.0"N 79°22'47.0"W (33.0183, -79.3797)
3. Status: Deactivated.
4. History: Two lighthouses stand here. The first is a 65-foot conical brick tower from 1827. It was replaced in 1858 by a 150-foot octagonal tower, which developed a significant lean early in its life, similar to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It was deactivated in 1947.
5. Viewing Information: Located within a wildlife refuge. The island is only accessible by private boat or on special eco-tours. The towers are not open to the public.

2. Charleston Light (Sullivan's Island)

1. Location: Sullivan's Island, Charleston County, SC
2. Coordinates: 32°45'29.9"N 79°50'45.4"W (32.7583, -79.8459)
3. Status: Active.
4. History: Completed in 1962, this is the last major lighthouse built in the U.S. The 140-foot modern tower has a unique triangular shape to withstand hurricane-force winds and is the only U.S. lighthouse with an elevator.
5. Viewing Information: Located on an active Coast Guard station. The grounds are not open, but the lighthouse can be viewed well from the adjacent beach. The tower is not open to the public.

3. Georgetown Light

1. Location: North Island, Georgetown County, SC
2. Coordinates: 33°13'22.0"N 79°10'56.0"W (33.2228, -79.1822)
3. Status: Active.
4. History: The current 87-foot brick tower was built in 1867, replacing earlier structures from 1801 and 1812. It marks the entrance to Winyah Bay.
5. Viewing Information: Located on a private island and is not accessible to the public. It is best viewed by boat tours from Georgetown.

4. Haig Point Lighthouse (Hilton Head Rear Range)

1. Location: Daufuskie Island, Beaufort County, SC
2. Coordinates: 32°07'33.0"N 80°49'53.0"W (32.1258, -80.8314)
3. Status: Deactivated. Serves as a guesthouse.
4. History: A 40-foot wooden tower built in 1873. It served as the rear light of a range guiding ships into the Savannah River. It is famous for the story of its first keeper's daughter, who supposedly haunts the light.
5. Viewing Information: Located within the private Haig Point community on Daufuskie Island. It is only accessible to residents, their guests, or on official guided tours of the island.

5. Harbour Town Lighthouse

1. Location: Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, SC
2. Coordinates: 32°08'23.2"N 80°48'46.3"W (32.1398, -80.8129)
3. Status: Active (Private Aid).
4. History: This iconic, red-and-white-striped octagonal lighthouse was built in 1970 as the centerpiece of the Harbour Town Marina and Sea Pines Resort. While it is an active navigational aid, it was primarily built as a tourist attraction.
5. Viewing Information: Fully accessible. Visitors can climb the 114 steps to the top for a fee. The interior contains a museum, and the top offers panoramic views of the harbor and Calibogue Sound.

6. Hunting Island Lighthouse

1. Location: Hunting Island State Park, Beaufort County, SC
2. Coordinates: 32°22'31.7"N 80°26'15.5"W (32.3755, -80.4376)
3. Status: Deactivated.
4. History: The current 136-foot tower was built in 1875 with cast-iron plates so it could be dismantled. Due to beach erosion, it was moved 1.3 miles inland in 1889. It was deactivated in 1933.
5. Viewing Information: The lighthouse is the main attraction of Hunting Island State Park. It is the only historic lighthouse in South Carolina that is regularly open to the public for climbs.

7. Morris Island Lighthouse

1. Location: Morris Island, Charleston County, SC
2. Coordinates: 32°41'42.0"N 79°53'01.0"W (32.6950, -79.8836)
3. Status: Deactivated.
4. History: The current 161-foot brick tower was built in 1876. Once part of a large light station on the island, erosion has left the tower standing alone hundreds of yards offshore. It was deactivated in 1962. A preservation group now owns the lighthouse and has stabilized it.
5. Viewing Information: Not accessible by land. It can only be viewed by boat tours from Charleston or Folly Beach. It is also visible distantly from the northeast end of Folly Island.

Georgia

1. Cockspur Island Lighthouse

1. Location: Cockspur Island, near Tybee Island, Chatham County, GA
2. Coordinates: 32°01'20.0"N 80°52'47.0"W (32.0222, -80.8797)
3. Status: Deactivated.
4. History: An 1856 brick tower built on a foundation of oyster shells and mud. It is famous for having survived bombardment during the Civil War siege of Fort Pulaski. It was deactivated in 1909.
5. Viewing Information: Located within Fort Pulaski National Monument. It is accessible via a 1.5-mile round-trip trail, but the trail is often flooded during high tides. The lighthouse interior is not open.

2. Little Cumberland Island Light

1. Location: Little Cumberland Island, Camden County, GA
2. Coordinates: 30°58'27.0"N 81°24'55.0"W (30.9742, -81.4153)
3. Status: Deactivated. Privately owned.
4. History: Built in 1838, this 60-foot brick tower guided ships into St. Andrew Sound. It was deactivated in 1915.
5. Viewing Information: Located on a private island and is not accessible to the public. It can only be viewed by private boat.

3. Sapelo Island Lighthouse

1. Location: Sapelo Island, McIntosh County, GA
2. Coordinates: 31°23'27.0"N 81°17'06.0"W (31.3908, -81.2850)
3. Status: Active (Private Aid).
4. History: The original 1820 brick tower was heavily damaged in an 1898 hurricane. It was deactivated in 1905, replaced by a nearby skeletal tower. In 1998, the 1820 tower was beautifully restored and relit.
5. Viewing Information: Sapelo Island is accessible only by a state-run ferry. The lighthouse can be visited as part of a guided tour arranged through the Sapelo Island Visitors Center.

4. St. Simons Lighthouse

1. Location: St. Simons Island, Glynn County, GA
2. Coordinates: 31°08'00.8"N 81°23'31.0"W (31.1336, -81.3919)
3. Status: Active.
4. History: The current 104-foot brick tower was built in 1872 to replace an 1810 tower that was destroyed by Confederate forces during the Civil War. It is one of only a handful of lighthouses that retains its original, working third-order Fresnel lens.
5. Viewing Information: The lighthouse and keeper's quarters (which houses a museum) are managed by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society and are open to the public daily for climbs.

5. Tybee Island Lighthouse

1. Location: Tybee Island, Chatham County, GA
2. Coordinates: 32°01'20.0"N 80°50'45.0"W (32.0222, -80.8458)
3. Status: Active.
4. History: This is Georgia's oldest and tallest lighthouse, with the station being established in 1736. The lower 60 feet of the current tower date from 1773, while the upper portion was rebuilt in 1867 after being damaged in the Civil War. The complete light station, with all of its historic support buildings, is intact.
5. Viewing Information: The entire light station, including a museum in the keeper's house and the 145-foot tower, is open to the public for tours and climbs daily.

Florida: East Coast

1. Amelia Island Lighthouse

1. Location: Fernandina Beach, Nassau County, FL
2. Coordinates: 30°40'24.8"N 81°27'43.7"W (30.6736, -81.4621)
3. Status: Active.
4. History: Built in 1838, this is the oldest existing lighthouse in Florida. The 67-foot brick tower was built using bricks from the dismantled Cumberland Island Lighthouse in Georgia.
5. Viewing Information: Located on an active Coast Guard station. The grounds are open to the public for viewing on Saturdays, and the tower itself is open for climbs on the first and third Wednesdays of each month (reservations required).

2. Cape Canaveral Light

1. Location: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Brevard County, FL
2. Coordinates: 28°27'37.0"N 80°32'40.0"W (28.4603, -80.5444)
3. Status: Active.
4. History: The current 151-foot cast-iron skeletal tower was first lit in 1868. In 1894, it was dismantled and moved a mile inland to protect it from erosion. It has witnessed every launch from the Cape.
5. Viewing Information: Located on an active military base. Access is restricted. Tours that include a visit to the lighthouse are available through the Kennedy Space Center or other local tour operators, but require security clearance and advance booking.

3. Cape Florida Lighthouse

1. Location: Key Biscayne, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Miami-Dade County, FL
2. Coordinates: 25°40'00.1"N 80°09'21.5"W (25.6667, -80.1559)
3. Status: Active.
4. History: Built in 1825, this is the oldest structure in Miami-Dade County. It was burned during the Second Seminole War in 1836 in a dramatic attack but was rebuilt in 1846. It was raised to its current 95-foot height in 1855.
5. Viewing Information: Located within Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. The lighthouse and grounds are fully accessible, and the tower is open for climbs twice daily.

4. Cape St. George Light

1. Location: St. George Island, Franklin County, FL (Note: This is a Gulf Coast light but often included in FL lists).
2. Coordinates: 29°39'46.3"N 84°51'48.4"W (29.6629, -84.8634)
3. Status: Deactivated. Relocated and restored.
4. History: The 1852 brick tower stood for 153 years before collapsing into the Gulf of Mexico due to beach erosion in 2005. A dedicated group of volunteers salvaged the bricks from the water and faithfully reconstructed the lighthouse in the center of St. George Island.
5. Viewing Information: The reconstructed lighthouse is fully accessible in a public park. A museum is located in the replica keeper's house, and the tower is open for climbs.

5. Crooked River Light

1. Location: Carrabelle, Franklin County, FL (Gulf Coast)
2. Coordinates: 29°50'02.0"N 84°40'37.0"W (29.8339, -84.6769)
3. Status: Active (Private Aid).
4. History: An 1895 skeletal tower built to replace the lighthouse on Dog Island, which had been destroyed. It was deactivated in 1995 but restored and relit.
5. Viewing Information: The lighthouse and keeper's house museum are open to the public for climbs on a regular schedule.

6. Hillsboro Inlet Light

1. Location: Hillsboro Beach, Broward County, FL
2. Coordinates: 26°15'33.7"N 80°04'50.2"W (26.2594, -80.0806)
3. Status: Active.
4. History: A 142-foot octagonal skeletal tower first lit in 1907. It is one of the most powerful lights in the country.
5. Viewing Information: Located on a Coast Guard station. The Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society conducts tours of the tower approximately once a month, which include boat transportation.

7. Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse

1. Location: Jupiter, Palm Beach County, FL
2. Coordinates: 26°56'54.5"N 80°04'55.7"W (26.9485, -80.0821)
3. Status: Active.
4. History: An 1860 brick tower, painted red to distinguish it. It is located in a beautiful setting on a high bluff overlooking the Jupiter Inlet.
5. Viewing Information: The lighthouse, grounds, and an excellent museum are open to the public for tours and climbs daily.

8. Pensacola Lighthouse

1. Location: Naval Air Station Pensacola, Escambia County, FL (Gulf Coast)
2. Coordinates: 30°20'46.2"N 87°18'29.6"W (30.3462, -87.3082)
3. Status: Active.
4. History: The current 150-foot tower was built in 1859. It is famous for being located on an active naval air station and is reputed to be one of the most haunted lighthouses in America.
5. Viewing Information: Located on a military base, requiring ID for access. The lighthouse is open daily for climbs to the top.

9. Ponce de Leon Inlet Light

1. Location: Ponce Inlet, Volusia County, FL
2. Coordinates: 29°04'50.5"N 80°55'41.2"W (29.0807, -80.9281)
3. Status: Active. National Historic Landmark.
4. History: At 175 feet, this is the tallest lighthouse in Florida and one of the tallest in the U.S. The 1887 brick tower and the entire light station, with all its original buildings, have been beautifully preserved.
5. Viewing Information: The entire light station is a world-class museum. It is open to the public daily for tours and climbs to the top.

10. Port Boca Grande Lighthouse

1. Location: Gasparilla Island, Lee County, FL (Gulf Coast)
2. Coordinates: 26°43'02.0"N 82°15'37.0"W (26.7172, -82.2603)
3. Status: Active.
4. History: A house-type screw-pile lighthouse built in 1890. It was deactivated but restored and relit in 1986. It now serves as a museum.
5. Viewing Information: The lighthouse and museum are open to the public seasonally. It is located within Gasparilla Island State Park.

11. St. Augustine Lighthouse

1. Location: St. Augustine, St. Johns County, FL
2. Coordinates: 29°53'07.1"N 81°17'19.1"W (29.8853, -81.2886)
3. Status: Active.
4. History: The current 165-foot tower, with its iconic black and white spiral daymark, was built in 1874. It replaced an earlier tower that collapsed into the sea. The station is also known for its paranormal reputation.
5. Viewing Information: The lighthouse, keeper's house museum, and grounds are a major tourist attraction, open daily for tours and climbs. They also offer popular "ghost tours" at night.

12. St. Johns River Lighthouse

1. Location: Naval Station Mayport, Jacksonville, Duval County, FL
2. Coordinates: 30°23'34.0"N 81°25'40.0"W (30.3928, -81.4278)
3. Status: Deactivated.
4. History: The 1859 brick tower is the third lighthouse built at the mouth of the St. Johns River. It was deactivated in 1929 and now stands on the grounds of a naval station.
5. Viewing Information: Located on an active military base and not accessible to the public. It can sometimes be seen during special base open houses.

13. St. Marks Lighthouse

1. Location: St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Wakulla County, FL (Gulf Coast)
2. Coordinates: 30°04'16.6"N 84°10'43.0"W (30.0713, -84.1786)
3. Status: Deactivated.
4. History: The current 82-foot tower was completed in 1842. It has survived numerous hurricanes and the Civil War. It was deactivated in 2016.
5. Viewing Information: The lighthouse is a centerpiece of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. The grounds are open, and the tower is occasionally opened for climbs by the preservation society.

 

Atlantic Coast Lighthouses: The Southeast
[ | VA | NC | SC | GA | FL | MAP | ]