Survey says the majority of my readers love Florida lighthouses. Are you one of them? The eastern section of Florida’s panhandle is dotted with four historical lighthouses. From east to west, the lighthouses are about two hours apart. That being said, you will want to devote an entire day to see all four. This will allow you to climb up the stairs and enjoy the view as well as enjoy the little towns along the way. And be sure to taste the flavors of the region: fresh oysters, grouper and boiled peanuts.
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A lighthouse passport booklet can be purchased at any of the gift shops. Each lighthouse has its own unique stamp. It’s a fun way to keep track of your lighthouse visits whether they are in Florida or in another state. The funds go the National Lighthouse Preservation Society.
You can also bring along your Little Book of Lighthouses, which gives you room for jotting down notes and memories as well as adding a picture. Both books make fun, on-going souvenirs that don’t take up much space.
Our condo in Mexico Beach provides a great starting point. It also is close enough in proximity to all of the lighthouses if you aren’t able to see all of them in one day.
Another option to consider is to time your trip with the month’s full moon. Three of the four lighthouses offer monthly full moon climbs for an extra special view. Check their websites for days and reservation slots.
Cape San Blas Lighthouse
Starting on the west, Port St. Joe is now the home of the Cape San Blas Lighthouse. It sits just a block south of Highway 98 making it quite easy to spot. As the name alludes to, this lighthouse once sat on the eastern coast of Cape San Blas, about 10 miles away from Port St. Joe. Land erosion was an ongoing problem, so in 2014, the lighthouse and both keeper’s quarters were moved to town. You can see photos of this phenomenal feat here.
If you go out to Cape San Blas, and park along the mammoth boulders, you can walk the beach and you’ll eventually come to the spot where the houses and lighthouse used to sit. You’ll know you’re in the right location because you’ll see large cement pads on the beach and multiple poles sticking out of the water. Keep walking a bit further and you’ll come to the Donna Kay, an abandoned shrimping boat that is now stuck in the sand.
Day climbs are available during the gift shops open hours. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for children. Once you get to the top, you’ll have a stunning view of the bay and the town of Port St. Joe.
Steps to go up: 131 (no flip-flops allowed)
Cape San Blas Lighthouse 200 Miss Zola’s Dr. Port St. Joe, FL 32456
Cape St. George Light
This is the next lighthouse you’ll come to heading east on Highway 98. Each lighthouse has an amazing story, but this one just might top them all. For 153 years, the light stoically stood guiding those out on the water until beach erosion took it down in 2005. Pride and determination took over; 22,000 bricks were salvaged by dedicated volunteers. The light was then rebuilt just over three years later. A replica of the original Lighthouse Keeper’s House sits next door, serving as the current museum and gift shop.
Opened daily except Thursdays. $5 for adults, $3 for children Check out their Facebook page for updates on full moon climbs and festivities.
Steps to climb: 92
Cape St. George Light 2 East Gulf Beach Dr. St. George Island, FL 32328
Crooked River Lighthouse
A short 25-minute drive to the east will bring you to the Crooked River Lighthouse. Similar in structure to the lighthouse in Port St. Joe, this iron and steel structure has been guiding boaters for over 120 years in the same location. Prior to that, three different lighthouses had been erected on the nearby Dog Island.
The wooded area surrounding the lighthouse offers a playground, the trailhead to the Carrabelle Beach bike path and a picnic area. Next to the lighthouse is a replica of the Keeper’s House which has a really nice maritime museum and gift shop. You can even see the original light that was a beacon for many years.
Their full moon climb includes live music, a bonfire and complimentary s’mores packs. Late, nighttime slots fill up quickly, so you’ll want to reserve as far in advance as possible. Our climb was at 8:15pm which gave us a perfect view of the sunset on the horizon from the tower’s upper railing. Something I had not given much thought to was how HOT the little room is where the light continually rotates! It’s super cool to see, but it’s not a place to spend too much time star gazing. In addition to the night climb, their Lantern Fest is held annually the third weekend of October. $5 for each climber
Steps to climb: 138
Crooked River Lighthouse 1975 US Hwy 98 Carrabelle, FL 32322
St. Marks Lighthouse
The fourth stop, heading east on the Florida lighthouse tour, is the St. Marks Lighthouse. The actual mileage isn’t so far; what takes so long is the reduced speed limit because you will be entering the St. Marks Migratory Bird Refuge.
The refuge is a gem in and of itself, so you may want to allow extra time to sit and watch the wildlife. During my short stay, I saw a huge snapping turtle, a large racoon and multiple shore birds that I had not seen before. To optimize your visit, I’d suggest bringing a pair of binoculars, a Birds of Florida book and snacks. There are benches in various locations as well as picnic tables for you to enjoy.
The St. Marks Lighthouse is the second oldest lighthouse in Florida, constructed in 1842. The massive, whitewashed brick structure is connected to the keeper’s quarters which last had a keeper in it in 1960. You can walk around the entire structure, but to get the best photograph you’ll want to be out on the water.
Steps to climb: 85
St. Marks Lighthouse 1255 Lighthouse Rd. St. Marks, FL 32355
Florida Lighthouses and the coast go together like pb&j. They are a beacon for safety, hope and heritage. Whether you get to one or all four, I think you’ll find the structures to be intriguing and insightful.
Looking for additional ideas for places to discover along Florida’s eastern panhandle? Additional ideas can be found in my post on Mexico Beach.
