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Luring me with their serene Old Florida vibe, Florida lighthouses make me want to adventure back in time. Enduring beacons of light designed to guide sailors before the days of GPS, lighthouses are symbols of hope, safety and solitude by the sea.
Along its 1350 miles of coastline, Florida is home to 29 well-preserved lighthouses. While I haven’t visited them all yet, I’m working my way through the Florida lighthouses list.
Beginning on the west coast of Florida, my Florida lighthouse adventures have taken me to several Gulf Coast barrier islands. From Sanibel Island in southwest Florida to Anclote Key off the coast of Tarpon Springs, visiting Old Florida lighthouses has led me to some picturesque places.
Where Can You Find Old Florida Lighthouses on the West Coast?
Want to start planning your own adventures to visit Florida lighthouses? Here are five historic Old Florida lighthouses you can visit along the west coast of Florida. Starting in southwest Florida, this trail of Florida lighthouses extends north to the Tampa Bay area.
Sanibel Island Lighthouse
One of the first Florida lighthouses constructed on the Gulf Coast north of Key West, the Sanibel Island Lighthouse still shines today. In addition to guiding ships, it watches over beachcombers as they search for sea treasures. A barrier island off the coast of Fort Myers and Cape Coral, Sanibel Island is famous for its abundance of beautiful seashells.
Built in 1884, the Sanibel Island Lighthouse stands at 98 feet tall. Painted a practical brown, this iron lighthouse features an open skeletal design to help it withstand hurricanes. Although the lighthouse is not open for the public to climb, its grounds are part of Sanibel’s public Lighthouse Beach Park.
Gasparilla Island Lighthouse
One of two Florida lighthouses on gorgeous Gasparilla Island in Boca Grande, the 105-foot Gasparilla Island Lighthouse is very similar in design to the Sanibel Island Lighthouse. Installed on Gasparilla Island in 1927, it guided ships through the Boca Grande Navigational Channel into Charlotte Harbor.
Recently restored by the Barrier Islands Park Society, the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse opens occasionally for scheduled tours October – July. More information is available here. Surrounded by peaceful walking trails and a tranquil beach, the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse invites visitors to unwind.
Port Boca Grande Lighthouse
After admiring the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse, continue south to continue your Gasparilla Island lighthouse tour. At the southern tip of the island inside Gasparilla Island State Park, you’ll find the charming Port Boca Grande Lighthouse. First lit in 1890, this Old Florida lighthouse was used to mark Boca Grande Pass, the entrance to Charlotte Harbor. It features an iron screw pile design with a wood frame.
The only lighthouse on the west coast that’s open to the public, the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse is a must-visit for lighthouse and history lovers. It’s home to a family-friendly museum that shares the history of Gasparilla Island. Treasure hunters will be impressed by the museum’s collection of fossils and seashells found in nearby waters.
Gasparilla Island is a wonderful Old Florida destination for a family getaway or a girls’ trip. Check out our tips for planning a Gasparilla Island getaway in this Florida girls’ trip guide.
Egmont Key Lighthouse
Since 1858, the 76-foot Egmont Key Lighthouse has stood as a beacon at the mouth of Tampa Bay. It’s one of the oldest structures in the Tampa Bay area that still serves its original purpose. Accessible only by private boat or ferry from Fort De Soto Park, Egmont Key is a unique and remote place to explore. Today it primarily serves as a wildlife refuge.
With secluded beaches, snorkeling spots and historic sites, Egmont Key is an Old Florida adventurer’s paradise. In addition to beckoning boaters with the white tower of its historic lighthouse, Egmont Key entices the curious to wander the ruins of Fort Dade built on the island during the Spanish-American War.
Anclote Key Lighthouse
The Anclote Key Lighthouse was the first of these Old Florida lighthouses I had the pleasure to visit while boating with my family in the Gulf of Mexico. Located three miles off the coast of the historic town of Tarpon Springs famous for its sponge docks and Greek culture, Anclote Key Preserve State Park encompasses four small islands. Beautiful and secluded, these islands are accessible only by private boat, ferry service or boat tour.
Built in 1887, the Anclote Key Lighthouse stands at 96 feet tall on the southern end of Anclote Key. Painted in a rust color, this Old Florida lighthouse features a square pyramidal skeletal tower with a black top. To reach the lighthouse, visitors to the park can enjoy a scenic walk along a boardwalk that runs from the beach to the lighthouse grounds. The lighthouse opens occasionally for climbing during scheduled open houses that are run by the Friends of Anclote Key.
I hope you enjoyed learning about these historic treasures of Florida’s west coast. Which one of these Old Florida lighthouses are you most interested in visiting? Let me know in the comments.
More Florida Lighthouses To Visit
Looking for more Florida lighthouses to visit? Follow @adventureseekingmomma on Instagram for more lighthouse adventures and Florida travel inspiration.
Interested in planning a trip to visit the Key West Lighthouse? Check out Adventure-Seeking Mom’s guide to Key West adventures.
Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse is another one of my favorite Florida lighthouses. Learn more about Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and nearby Blowing Rocks Preserve in this post: Blowing Rocks Preserve: This Florida Beach Will Blow You Away.
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Wow! These are amazing! We haven’t visited too many light houses in FL and the west beaches, unfortunately, we have not been able to spend too much time in. We have been trying explore more of that area. The waters are so beautiful. We went to Clearwater just before the pandemic started and it was absolutely beautiful. We will have to add these to our list to check out. Especially Port Boca Grande
Our Gulf Coast beaches are really so beautiful! All of these lighthouses sit along some pristine spots. Hope you get a chance to check them out.
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