The Lighthouses of Florida

From Interstate 95 take Exit 375, and drive east on SR 200 onto Amelia Island. Follow SR 200 as it turns north to Fernandina Beach. Continue into the historic district then turn right on Atlantic Avenue (A1A). Views of the light can be had from Atlantic Avenue, but better views come from Fort Clinch State Park. ^{Fort Clinch} ARLHS # USA-010

Photo courtesy ImusTheGreat [Aaron-Walton.net]

Very near the above light. ARLHS # USA-796

Photo courtesy Thom Perry [Flickr]

From Interstate 95, take exit 256 and go east on Dunlawton Avenue for 3.8 miles to the intersection with Highway 1. Take the bridge across the Halifax River. At the second traffic light, turn right on Atlantic Avenue and drive south for 5.3 miles to the four-way stop at Beach Street. Turn right on Beach Street and then left on Peninsula Drive. ^{World Lighthouse Society} ARLHS # USA-644

Photo courtesy François la Poutré [Flickr]

There are certain tours offered by the Kennedy Space Center which pass by the lighthouse. ^{Space Center} ARLHS # USA-108

Photo courtesy Donna McCraw [Flickr]

From Interstate 95 in Pompano Beach, take exit 35 and drive east on Copans Road for just over 2 miles to Federal Highway (Highway 1). Travel south on Federal Highway for just over a half mile to 14th Street (Highway 844). Go east on 14th Street for a mile then turn right on Highway A1A. Turn left onto 16th street and park at the end of the street, from where you can walk the beach to get a good view of the lighthouse ^lighthouse ARLHS # USA-372

Photo courtesy Claudia Domenig [Flickr]

Very distant views of the Fowey Rocks Lighthouse are possible from the Cape Florida Lighthouse. However, the best views come by boat or plane. One can fly over the lighthouse with Benoit Courbin of Dean International Inc. The flights depart from Tamiami Airport southwest of Miami. ^FlyMiami ARLHS # USA-307

Photo courtesy Eddie Dziura [key-biscayne]

Distant views of the Alligator Reef Lighthouse are possible from Highway 1 between Mile Markers 77 and 80. ARLHS # USA-006

Photo courtesy John Ames/P J McCann [Flickr]

For a distant view of the lighthouse from land, turn south onto Sugarload Boulevard from the Overseas Highway at Mile Marker 17. When the road tees after 2.6 miles, turn right and drive 2.5 miles to a small bridge over Sugarload Creek from where you can see the lighthouse on a clear day.

(and heavily zoomed in my editor) ARLHS # USA-011

Photo courtesy Patti Schmidt [Flickr]

From Miami take Highway 1 to Key West, a distance of roughly 125 miles. Highway 1 will take you into the city of Key West, where it is also known as North Roosevelt and then Truman Avenue. Continue on Truman Avenue past Whitehead Street to the light. ^lighthouse ARLHS # USA-420

Photo courtesy Claudia Domenig [Flickr]

Dry Tortugas National Park can be reached by ferry via Sunny Days and Yankee Fleet, and by seaplane with Seaplanes of Key West. The ferries and seaplanes only provide access to Garden Key, from where a distant view of Loggerhead Key is possible. To land at Loggerhead Key, you must take your own boat or go with a guide who has a permit issued by the park. The pier at Loggerhead Key is closed to the public. Therefore, you must access the island by anchoring offshore and either wading or taking a small boat ashore. ARLHS # USA-236

Photo courtesy Donna McCraw [Flickr.]

Once on the island, follow the main road towards the southern end of the island. The range light is 1.7 miles from the southern end of the island, alongside Gulf Boulevard.

Photo courtesy Pats7288 [Webshots]

Seasonal ferry service to the island is provided by Hubbard's Marina from Fort DeSoto County Park. ^ferry ARLHS # USA-269

Photo courtesy E. James [Flickr]

Pontoon boats to get you out to Anclote Key can be rented from Anclote Village Marina near Tarpon Springs. ^marina ARLHS # USA-013

Photo courtesy Laura Thorne [Flickr]

From Highway 98 just east of Newport, turn south onto Lighthouse Road (Highway 59) and follow it for 3.6 miles to the entrance of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. After paying the small entrance fee, continue south on Lighthouse Road for another 6.5 miles to the lighthouse. ^park ARLHS # USA-801

Photo courtesy Pats7288 [webshots]

Several miles south of Port Saint Joe and east of Apalachicola, Highway 30 makes a sharp 90 degree turn. At this turn, go west onto Highway 30E. Test Area D-3 is about two miles ahead on your right hand side. Continue just past D-3 and you'll see that the road bends around to your right. Instead of going with the road, turn left (kinda like going straight) onto Cape San Blas Light Drive at Test Site D-3A. As you approach the gulf, turn right on Keepers Cottage Way, and you will see the lighthouse. As Eglin Air Force Base controls access to this area, it would be wise to contact them about the site's status before planning a trip. ^Eglin ARLHS # USA-136

Photo courtesy Judy Baxter [Flickr]

From Highway 90 in Pensacola, turn south on Highway 295 (New Warrington Road and Navy Boulevard), and follow it for three miles, and then turn right on SR 292 (Barrancas Avenue). SR 295 leads to the main gate of the Pensacola Naval Air Station, but visitors must now use a different entrance. Continue on SR 292 for 5.2 miles, and then turn left on SR 173, which will lead you to the air station. ARLHS # USA-592

Photo courtesy David and Renee Witte [webshots]