The Amelia Island Lighthouse: Visiting Florida's Oldest Lighthouse

Have You Ever Noticed the Lighthouse Hiding in the Trees?

You are driving along the north end of Amelia Island, past the marsh around Egans Creek, when you catch it out of the corner of your eye. A slim white tower peeks over a line of live oaks, its black lantern room catching the afternoon sun. It does not look like the tall striped lighthouses on postcards. It looks quieter and older, like it has been keeping watch from that spot for a very long time. It has.

Florida's Oldest Existing Lighthouse

The Amelia Island Lighthouse was built in 1838 and 1839 and first lit in 1839. What makes it unusual is where its materials came from. The tower was rebuilt from parts of an earlier lighthouse on the southern tip of Cumberland Island, Georgia, which had stood since 1820. In other words, part of this lighthouse crossed the state line to get here.

The tower is 64 feet tall, but it stands on high ground, so its light sits about 107 feet above sea level. It overlooks Egans Creek, the St. Marys River and the river's entrance to the Atlantic.

Inside the lantern room is a third-order Fresnel lens installed in 1903 and still in use. The light was automated in 1970. In 2001 ownership of the lighthouse moved from the U.S. Coast Guard to the City of Fernandina Beach. The city maintains the historic tower, and the Coast Guard is still responsible for the beacon itself.

How to Visit the Amelia Island Lighthouse

This is not a walk-in attraction, and that is part of its charm. Access is limited and handled by the City of Fernandina Beach.

• Saturday grounds viewing: The lighthouse property at 215 O'Hagan Lane, reached from North Wolff Street, is open for viewing on Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Only the grounds around the lighthouse are open on Saturdays.
• Tours: To go further, you need to register for a tour. Tours and access are limited. Register by calling 904-310-3350 or in person at the Atlantic Recreation Center, 2500 Atlantic Avenue.

Schedules can change with weather, maintenance and city staffing, so call ahead before you plan a trip around it. Visitors have noted that posted times are not always reliable, which is one more reason to confirm.

Seeing It From Around the Island

Even when the grounds are closed, you can still enjoy the lighthouse. The tower rises above the trees on the north end of the island, and the open marsh along Egans Creek gives you some of the best views. On a clear afternoon the white tower against the green tree line and the gold marsh grass is a classic Amelia Island scene.

If you like to walk, the trails around Egans Creek are a good place to start, and you can pair a lighthouse stop with time at Fort Clinch State Park on the island's northern tip. Our guide to Fort Clinch State Park has ideas for a full morning outdoors.

Make It a Fernandina Beach Day

Because the Saturday window is short, the lighthouse fits nicely into a bigger day on the island. A simple plan:

• Late morning: Visit the lighthouse grounds during the Saturday hours.
• Lunch: Head to historic downtown Fernandina Beach and walk Centre Street toward the Amelia River. Our post on strolling Centre Street covers the walk.
• Afternoon: Spend a few hours at Fort Clinch or on the beach, then watch the light come on from the marsh near Egans Creek as the day ends.

From Ponte Vedra Beach or the Jacksonville Beaches, Amelia Island makes an easy day trip. Many people who end up living in Northeast Florida first fall for the area on a day exactly like this one.

Why Small Landmarks Matter When You Are Choosing a Place

When you are deciding where to retire or relocate, it is easy to focus on square footage, taxes and HOA dues. Those matter. But the places you end up loving are often small ones: a lighthouse in the trees, a marsh you drive past every day, a Saturday ritual you share with friends.

Amelia Island has a lot of those. It has the history of an old port town, wide beaches and big stretches of protected land. If you are comparing it with Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Augustine or the Jacksonville Beaches, spend a full weekend on the island before you decide. Notice how it feels on a Saturday morning, not just how it looks in photos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit the Amelia Island Lighthouse?

Yes, on a limited basis. The City of Fernandina Beach opens the grounds at 215 O'Hagan Lane on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tours require registration by calling 904-310-3350 or visiting the Atlantic Recreation Center.

Is the Amelia Island Lighthouse the oldest in Florida?

Yes. Built in 1838 and 1839, it is the oldest existing lighthouse in Florida. It was rebuilt from materials taken from an 1820 lighthouse on Cumberland Island, Georgia.

Is the Amelia Island Lighthouse still working?

Yes. It still uses a third-order Fresnel lens installed in 1903. The light was automated in 1970, and the U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for the beacon while the City of Fernandina Beach maintains the tower.

How tall is the Amelia Island Lighthouse?

The tower is 64 feet tall. Because it stands on high ground, its light sits about 107 feet above sea level.

Where is the best place to see the lighthouse?

The open marsh along Egans Creek offers some of the best views of the tower above the trees. On Saturdays you can also see it up close from the grounds on O'Hagan Lane.

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What To Do Right Now

1. Call the City of Fernandina Beach at 904-310-3350 to confirm Saturday hours and ask about the next tour.
2. Plan a full Saturday on Amelia Island that pairs the lighthouse with Centre Street and Fort Clinch.
3. Note how the island feels compared with Ponte Vedra Beach and the Beaches, and write down what you liked.
4. Call or text Joey Larsen at 904-863-6679 to talk through homes on Amelia Island and nearby.

Cover photo: Amelia Island Lighthouse (16381969781) by NatalieMaynor, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.