Cape Florida Lighthouse | VantagePoint Boating Guides

Cape Floirda Lighthouse 1880

Cape Florida lighthouse sometime in the late 1800's

Cape Florida Lighthouse

The historic lighthouse located on the southern tip of Key Biscayne

History

Cape Florida lighthouse was built in 1825 to help mariners navigate the treacherous shoals and water lying just offshore. In 1836 it was attacked and burned by Seminole Indians. Sometime around 1850 the lighthouse was rebuilt and 30 feet was added bringing it to its current height of 95 feet. During the civil war, confederate sympathizers disabled the light so that it could not be used by Union vessels in their naval blockade of the South. It was taken out of service in 1878 when the nearby Fowey Rocks lighthouse was commissioned. It remained out of service until 1978 when it was again relit and brought back into service as an aid to navigation.

Go To Photo Gallery

Getting There by Boat
The best place to view the lighthouse from the water is along the Cape Florida Channel that runs along the southwest side of Key Biscayne. Do not directly approach the lighthouse from the east as there are a number of shoals and shallows just east of the Cape Florida Lighthouse. If you want to visit the lighthouse in person, you can pull your boat into No Name Harbor which is part of Bill Baggs State Park. Lighthouse tours are given Thursday through Monday at 10:00AM and 1:00PM – the park service advises your arrive a half hour early.

GPS Location of Cape Florida Lighthouse ( Approximate GPS Coordinates_

N25° 40.00 W80° 09.35

Charted as: Fl 6s 95ft (white light flashing every 6 secs)


	home marinas ramps dining photo gallery how to things to do contact us
	advertise copyright about us fishing press
	© 2006 VantagePoint Guides - All Rights Reserved