Things to do nearSt. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
The St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum in St. Augustine, Florida, offers sweeping coastal views, a rich seafaring history, and hands-on maritime exhibits.
The St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum stands on Anastasia Island, marking one of the oldest sites of continuous maritime navigation on the Atlantic coast of North America. The current brick tower, completed in 1874, replaced an earlier Spanish colonial watchtower that had guided vessels into the inlet for centuries before erosion claimed it. Today the lighthouse rises 165 feet above sea level, its distinctive black-and-white barber-pole spiral making it one of the most recognizable landmarks on the Florida coast. Visitors who make the climb to the top are rewarded with panoramic views of the Matanzas Bay, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the Atlantic horizon.
The keeper's dwelling at the base has been meticulously restored to its Victorian-era appearance, and exhibits inside trace the lives of the keepers and their families who maintained the light through storms, wars, and shifting tides. The maritime museum component adds considerable depth to the experience, with artifacts recovered from shipwrecks in local waters and displays that explain the broader history of trade and navigation along this stretch of the Florida coast.
The museum also operates a working boat yard where staff and volunteers restore historic wooden vessels, giving visitors a rare glimpse of traditional maritime craftsmanship still in practice. The grounds themselves, shaded by live oaks, carry a quiet, unhurried atmosphere that feels distinct from the busier attractions of downtown St. Augustine. For anyone drawn to coastal history, architecture, or the simple pleasure of a long view from a great height, this lighthouse rewards the effort.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
Visit early in the morning to climb the 219 steps with cooler temperatures and softer light on the water below.
Try the guided keeper's house tour to understand the daily life of the lighthouse families who lived and worked on this station.
Bring binoculars for the lantern room gallery, where on clear days you can spot the barrier islands and the inlet stretching south.
Look into the museum's archaeology boat program, which offers hands-on underwater heritage experiences for visitors of various ages.
Park along Lighthouse Avenue and walk the surrounding Anastasia Island neighborhood before or after your visit to get a feel for the local character of the area.
Top tours & experiences near St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
Sunset Cruise in St. Augustine
Cruise St. Augustine at sunset with a cash bar onboard
Sunset Sailing Charter in St Augustine
Private 2-hour sunset sail past St. Augustine bayfront landmarks
Single Kayak Rental in St. Augustine
Rent a single kayak with delivery around St. Augustine
Full-Day Tandem Kayak Rental in St. Augustine
Tandem kayak rental with delivery in St. Augustine
Dolphin Watching Cruise with BYOB & Guides
Cruise coastal marshes and spot dolphins and wildlife with expert guides on a BYOB pontoon boat.
Sunset Dolphin Cruise in St. Augustine
Experience a scenic sunset cruise with dolphin sightings and iconic St. Augustine views.
St. Augustine Wine Tasting Cruise
Cruise the St. Augustine Bayfront with a guided wine tasting (21+)
Cruise St. Augustine on a 1.5-Hour Wildlife Watch
Spot dolphins and coastal wildlife on a 90-minute cruise with a bar on board
St. Augustine Catamaran Sail & Sightseeing
See historic forts and a lighthouse from the water aboard a nimble catamaran.
Historic Matanzas Bay Cruise in St. Augustine
Cruise Historic Matanzas Bay and see landmarks from the water
Sunset Sailing Charter in St Augustine
Private 2-hour sunset sail for up to 6 in St. Augustine
Sail on a Shared Day Charter in St Augustine
Sail past St Augustine landmarks on a 2-hour small-group charter
Sunset Sailing Cruise in St Augustine
Sail into sunset views of St Augustine landmarks on a small-group charter
Private Sunset Sailing in St. Augustine
Sail a luxury yacht at sunset and see St. Augustine's historic bayfront
Adults-Only Sunset Cruise in St. Augustine
Cruise St. Augustine at sunset on a 21+ boat with a cash beer and wine bar
Private Sunset Cruise in St. Augustine
Cruise St. Augustine at sunset on a private captained boat
St. Augustine Dolphins and Wildlife Clear Kayak Tour
Paddle a 100% clear kayak to spot dolphins, sea turtles, and coastal birds along historic St. Augustine
Parasail Over St. Augustine & the Atlantic Ocean
Parasail above St. Augustine for panoramic views in an 8-minute flight
Private Sunset Cruise in St. Augustine
Cruise St. Augustine’s Intracoastal on a private captained sunset boat
Private Open-Air Boat Cruise in St. Augustine
Cruise St. Augustine on a private open-air party boat with your own captain
Private Sunset Cruise in St. Augustine
Cruise Matanzas Bay on a private captained sunset boat ride
Take a Private Sunset Cruise in St. Augustine
Private 90-minute sunset boat ride for up to 8 in St. Augustine
Sunset Jazz Cruise in St. Augustine
Adults-only sunset jazz cruise with St. Augustine waterfront views
Private 2-Hour St. Augustine Sunset Cruise
Cruise St. Augustine’s bayfront at sunset with a private crew
St. Augustine Historical Landmark Cruise
Cruise St. Augustine’s waterways with narrated landmark views
Sunset Clear Kayak Tour in St. Augustine
Paddle a clear kayak at sunset with LED lights near the St. Augustine Lighthouse
Private Clear Kayak Tour in St. Augustine at Sunset
Paddle St. Augustine in a clear kayak with LED lights at dusk
St. Augustine Walking Ghost Tour With Live Translation
Walking ghost tour with live translation to 100+ languages
Private St. Augustine Sunset Cruise on Matanzas Bay
Private captained sunset cruise past St. Augustine landmarks
Private Sunset Cruise in St. Augustine
Private captained cruise past St. Augustine sights at sunset
Cruise Matanzas Bay On A Private Sunset Charter
Private captained sunset cruise in St. Augustine, up to 10 guests
Private Sunset Cruise in St. Augustine
Private 2-hour sunset cruise for up to 6, with champagne and harbor views
Morning Brunch Cruise in St. Augustine
Sip mimosas and cruise St. Augustine sights on a private tugboat
Sunrise Guided Kayak Tour in St. Augustine
Paddle a private sunrise kayak tour near the St. Augustine Lighthouse
Explore St. Augustine Intracoastal on a 2-Hour Kayak Tour
Private 2-hour kayak tour near the St. Augustine Lighthouse
Sunset Kayaking Tour Near St. Augustine Lighthouse
Private 2-hour kayak adventure near the St. Augustine Lighthouse