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
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