Cape Florida Lighthouse Reviews

Christina & the other volunteers welcomed our tour group and allowed access inside and all the way up to the lantern room & outside for spectacular views of the surrounding area. They also had the gift shop open for us. Christina was very knowledgeable about the lighthouse’s history and shared the information in an enjoyable manner. And even took our group photo in front of the light. It was a relaxing day & at anytime did I feel rushed .

Visited the island today for the first time in over 50 years. It was amazing to walk along the sea wall watching the divers and the boats. There were many divers around the rocks. We walked around to the lighthouse. It was locked but the site was very pretty. A fun adventure.

We went to Key Biscayne to enjoy the beach while on vacation in Miami. The state park was recommended and while it was a great beach, the lighthouse provided another attraction for our experience. First it was very educational to hear about those who had lived there and the effort made to restore it. However, the best part was the opportunity to view the island from the top of the tower. Great views. In addition the lighthouse itself just added to the beach experience, not to mention a little exercise.

That's one of my favorite places, the beach close to the light house is the best for kids, calm water and white sand to play around, the view makes it more natural. There are free parking lots and the entry in the park was changed at the entrance. I recommend to bring your own water , sun umbrela and other beach grocery as there was no service available.

The Cape Florida Lighthouse is within Bill Baggs Park. It costs $8 for a carload of people to enter. Driving through the parking lot we encountered cranes and racoons. The pathway from the parking lot had informational placards discussing historical, cultural and architectural facts about the lighthouse and the keeper's cottage. Tours were given by well versed rangers at 10am and 1 pm. The tour included interesting stories and brought the history alive. During the tour the keeper's home is opened as well as the actual lighthouse. Visitors are permitted to linger and read the informational posters in the cottage, view a video in the attached structure, and climb the spiral staircase in the lighthouse to take photos of the surrounding coastline and beaches from the top landing.

I always enjoy the walk here. The paths are easy to handle although I wouldn't try to wheelchair it. Great for families you can stop and have a little sandwich if you bring one with you. Or there is a lighthouse cafe nearby.

This is my FAVORITE lighthouse in Florida! I grew up on this beach as a child and have never stopped coming back!

This lighthouse at 95 ft, is not the tallest in FL, but offer stunning views of Biscayne Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, Key Biscayne and City of Miami. Once you have entered the park, it is free of charge.

Liked: easy to find, well preserved, information about the history is available. However, it wasn't open, and had no info about guided tours or anything. Nobody there to provide more information about the place. I would still recommend to visit this landmark.

The lighthouse climb is well managed by the state park rangers. The tower is only open for limited hours so check the park website before arriving. The climb can be a little stuffy, but the walkway at the top offers a cool breeze and exceptional views. Well worth the climb.

This is a beautiful well preserved lighthouse with the old lighthouse keeper ‘s house next to it to visit. Very interesting. Beautiful view from the top of the lighthouse if you’re willing to walk up all those steps... but well worth it!

Better to visit during the week days. Weekends are busy. Lighthouse doesn't work on Tuesday and Wednesday. Park car fee is 3$

Cape Florida Lighthouse is not to be missed if you’re in the Miami area, it’s a short drive from the city and an entirely different world. Quite and beautiful and you can climb the lighthouse

We took our 7 year old grandsons to the lighthouse and took the tour. They loved it. The tour was very informative, and the view was beautiful! Great place to go for fun and a history lesson.

We drove to Bill Baggs state park to see this lighthouse. While it is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, it was still a pleasant trip. Key Biscayne is beautiful to drive through. There was a nominal entrance fee to the park. It was very hot that day so we were only there for about 45 minutes. The beach is beautiful there if you can spend some time.

This park is a great place to go and relax. Nicely shaded area with picnic benches. No charge to see or climb the lighthouse. Beachfront available for sunbathing or swimming. Bicycle rentals available. Great place for an escape from the rat race for the day

Just minutes from Miami is the historic Key Biscayne lighthouse. For a quieter, wilder beach experience, wander over in the early morning or on a weekday. Bring a mask and snorkel -or just goggles- to see the tropical fish that swim among the rocks at the base of the light.

Cool place. But go for the tour at 10 or 1 we missed it but still neat place to see. Must be popular lots of people

If you like natural, greens, threes, animals, this is perfect place for you! Also there is small restaurant outdoor, where is really nice to take a lunch or drinks, and stuff are really nice too. So nice for change place!

This little hidden gem is worth the drive. We didn't have time to go up on the light house, but you definitely can. The views of the ocean around and beautiful. Its very relaxing and peaceful. Perfect for a picnic. You can also go swimming in the beach there and have a day out at the park.

I spent an afternoon on this island. I walk from the middle of the island to the lighthouse (about an hour walking). The island was completely empty but when i get to the lighthouse I finally see civilization :) . The lighthouse is very house but that's all..there was no much to see or do but it went there on a Tuesday afternoon.

This an an awesome restored lighthouse. You can even walk up to the top where the view is spectacular. It is worth checking out. They do tours twice a day.

We hade lunch there and the three of us had cheeseburger, they were good. I hade some kind of beefstew with tomato sauce and yellow rice. It was good too. Service was good and food was reasonably priced.
Friendly staff.

Restrooms are at the state park grounds next to restaurant.

Since it is a national park and you actually need to pay a fee in order to get in, it is a beach to enjoy with little kids

During our visit to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, we got to opportunity to visit the Cape Florida Lighthouse (the guided tour is available only in certain days of the week, a few times a day). It was very interesting to find out about the history of the park and lighthouse and the view from the top of the lighthouse was amazing. I would recommend it!

Relaxing place and wonderful view. The park has tours to the lighthouse. You can enter to the lighthouse and walk around the place. Great place to read a book and take photos.

This lighthouse is beautiful and well maintained.
It has the original house next to it and you can climb up, if open.
It has benches to sit around and also a cafe vlose to it.
The views are beautiful! Of course!
Worth stopping by.

Key Biscayne has a light house and there is visit done by the ranger.
The Ranger that gave us the tour was really knowledgeable and the kids and us (parents) loved it.

It is worthwhile to wait if you are a bit early for the tour.

The view is also fantastic from the top of the lighthouse.

The Park the light house is in is good to get around stretch, pass minutes to hours..... but if your short of time the light house is 2-5 minutes from the car park and will take you 30 mins-1 hour of your time and you shouldn't be disappointed!

Worthwhile your time and the detour.

(Fee is only the park entrance which is per vehicle).

If you are into lighthouses, this is a great one. Given the restoration, its in truly great condition. The stairs are a pretty easy run (up around 70 feet) but it does get a touch cramped near the top. If you at all tall, watch your head!

Out on the catwalk, the views are simply spectacular. Looking northward, you can see all the way up the beach and to the south, Stiltsville (or rather, what is left of it).

This lighthouse has been restored to its original state. It is solid and safe and not at all scary (unless you have a problem with heights).

It costs 8 bucks to get into the park, but visiting the lighthouse isn't extra. When the lighthouse is open, there's a Ranger on duty, too. Be sure and stop to chat!

Great fun and truly wonderful experience!

We showed up to Cape Florida Lighthouse the morning of a full moon, with the tide coming in. The tower was open for visitors to climb to the top, but as we approached the door -- noticing a wide pool of water in front of it -- a state park ranger opened it to inform us that he'd just been told to close the tower to visitors. The lighthouse sits only a foot or two from the bay, and the rising tide would soon surround the base. For safety reasons, the park administration didn't want anyone else climbing up with wet feet on iron stairs. It still made for an impressive sight, and the replica keeper's house nearby was open, allowing us to stroll through the displays. We spent a half-hour or so walking around this part of the park before moving to the southernmost point of it to get a look at Stiltsville out on the bay.

I love lighthouses, and this is a nicely refurbished one that offers nice views. The entrance fee to the park is minimal, and the beaches themselves are often ranked top-ten nationally by Dr Beach himself. There's also some history here, since the lighthouse was used as part of the underground railroad for helping slaves escape to the Bahamas.

When in the state park, this lighthouse offers a very nice 360° view of the surrounding area. You see the Miami skyline in the distance and the sea. Make sure you're not afraid of heights though.

Beautiful lighthouse on the beach. The lighthouse it's 109 steps and the view from the top it's breathtaking.

We have visited many lighthouses and the Cape Florida Lighthouse is one of the nicest I've seen. I wish south Florida traffic didn't cost me over 2 hours to travel 40 mile, so we could have had more time to enjoy the lighthouse and grounds.

This is such a nice lighthouse to climb. Wonderful views in wonderful place. Will recommend to everybody.

We had a great time. The climb to the top was exciting lots of stairs but the view was amazing. The park ranger on duty was very friendly.

quiet place on key biscayne. nice beaches and clear blue sea. you can spent an afternoon there. also visit the rest of key biscanyne!

We enjoyed to get to know the history about the lighthouse as well as the old house and people lived there before during many decades. You can also get up in the lighthouse , open daily. Free of charge when in national park

Staying at The Ritz Key Biscayne and thought we'd take a walk. 2 and one half miles later we found Cape Florida Lighthouse. A real gem at the end of Biggs state park. A lot of history and well worth the walk and time. Check to see when it's open and tours are given

The park itself is nice. The lighthouse is gorgeous and so close to get to. You can go up to the top and the view is spectacular. The bathrooms at this state park absolutely need to be updated and cleaned. They were horrendous

This is a fun area, nice beach, and sweet looking lighthouse. They only have a few times each day to go see the top and they are not flexible at all. We felt we got there in time but the park employees decided to close it... very annoying. Especially since you have to pay to get into the park. The park itself though is nice and very quiet.

The park cost $8 to enter. The park has a separate fishing area away from swimmers. A restaurant location at the front of the park. The water is great for all ages. We had children from age 7-16 there. All 9 kids enjoyed! I recommend this park beach because they have grills, picnic tables, pavilions, plenty of parking and it's family oriented. In comparing south beach it's expensive to park and not as family oriented. We didn't have a chance to visit the lighthouse. Maybe next time. Sand is clean n park area as well.

You want to have children seeing such a place! All amenities for picknics, swimming and rest.
Only few dollars of payment and you are in garden and beach paradise. Light house watching after you :)
Public place for everyones.
Bysicle is best option to move inside od park. Simply take basket with snacks and drinks and go there... you will say "thank you" for my advice... see you there...

We are intrigued by the fact that this lighthouse is a complete restoration. Very informative and good history excursion for the kids. The tours are at 10am and 1pm daily and the ground closes at 5pm. So plan accordingly.

The lighthouse is tucked in the back of the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. There are a bunch of other small attractions around it. You also have the option to climb it on certain days. They have several beach areas as well.

This is a beautiful lighthouse to visit but they do have some odd visiting hours to climb the lighthouse. You can walk around the grounds or enjoy the beach. If you want to climb up the lighthouse please check out their website for times. I can tell you the grounds are beautiful.

There is a history of this lighthouse. You can google for it. I got to know history from its keeper (Jeff)... While waiting in the queue, I chatted with her and she was more than happy to tell me about everything like when it got destroyed, an alternative is 10 miles from there. Then again it got build.

Check for the time. Luckily we went there by 1 and it was open
I guess 11-1, 3-5 it is closed but again check for your own.

There are 109 stairs so it’s not that much (after all not every lighthouse offer you view from the top). At a time only 10 people can be up there
So there is line waiting outside.

You can see big bulb who gets illuminated automatically in the evening
View from the top is awesome
you can see an awesome view of Bill baggs beach .. Downtown Miami and others..

Not sure what to say about the lighthouse? It was a great walk along the beach to the end of the sand where at the start of the rocks sits the lighthouse. Seems like an achievement to go there and back and it was an excellent way to get in a bit of exercise and relaxation at the same time.

This was so beautiful! The beach was right there and the surrounding area is just beautiful! The lighthouse has certain hours to go up. There is alot to see if you continue the trail next to the light house.

The lighthouse had great views. It is a steep climb and only a few people at a time are allowed up. The ranger stands at the door and talks about the lighthouse while you wait for your turn.There is only a small charge to enter the park...like $10 for the whole car. The keepers house is not open for the tour. The beach around the lighthouse is also beautiful so bring your suit and make a day of it.

You have to travel of a metal staircase that seems like it winds up into the clouds. It is somewhat narrow especially when people are ascending and descending at the same time. Once at the top, the 360 views are incredible! I did not think my 6 year could do this. She had no fear and made it up and down like a pro. Unfortunately the 20 something in front of us almost had a nervous breakdown half way up. Please do everyone a favor if you are afraid of heights DO NOT attempt this. It is not for the faint of heart if you have a fear of heights but the pay off is well worth it!! I highly recommend if you are not afraid of heights.

We stopped by the park on our way off the island, we didn’t know what to expect but we’re pleasantly surprised by how well kept the grounds were and the view of the water and reef were outstanding. We could have packed a lunch and hung out in one of the many benches or picnic tables. The lighthouse and keeper’s cottage was closed for COVID.

walk up to the top and get a tour worth the climb!!!!!!!!!!!!
the park is beautiful and beach is great take food the restaurant is expensive and food is not bad , but not worth it

Nice hike to the lighthouse. Unfortunately it was closed due to recent hurricane so we were unable to ascend but still the park itself was a very nice walk and amazing views. Friendly people out and about during hike to and from.

The lighthouse has nice small park around it including a little brick house of lighthouse keeper's. Entering the lighthouse was free of charge and only 15 people could get in at one time. There wasn't much queue at 11:30 time a guard opened a door. A tower has just over 100 steps to up 95 feet, 30 meter height. That's easily climbed up and down with good stairs and rails. Up in the top there is access to see the light and around the tower is a narrow balcony to look around. Views are nice although the tower is not that high. You can see Miami skyline.

Lighthouse is a must if you enter the Bill Baggs state park. Visit takes only a short time.

Volunteer was nice and very knowledgeable. Remember the lighthouse is only open during tours-no tours on Tues and Wed. Replica cottage keeper's house is next and the lighthouse was fun for the kids-exciting narrow climb, with an incredible view at the top. 42" height requirement to climb the stairs.

Before GPS....the lighthouse ; ) And what a beautiful spot. Climb the steps if you dare (open restricted hours - check beforehand) and your reward is an unencumbered view out to sea. Gorgeous!! There is also, beside it, a small old cabin with a porch where you can relax and stare out to sea. Well worth a visit.

Climb the many steps to the top and entire the lighthouse keeper's house. The spot is where Biscayne Bay, Florida Bay and the Atlantic meet

Great history and sights! Beaches are clean. Many restrooms. Not super packed so you can spread out on the beach if you don't want to be close to people.

I've lived in South Florida for 25 years and finally visited this lighthouse yesterday. We were able to get in on the second of two tours the park rangers conduct everyday, and it was worth the wait in the hot sun. The tours are free, and the entrance to the park is only $8 per vehicle. From the top of the 95 ' lighthouse, you see awesome views on Miami as well as Stiltsville out in Biscayne Bay. Highly recommend this tour at the tip of Key Biscayne in the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

It's great that this area has been reserved for preservation - and the lighthouse is an important part of the history here. Enjoy the climb to the top with excellent views - and enjoy the grounds as well. The tour guides should be informed/educated by park management about lighthouses so they will be more informative and pronounce words correctly - but whatever the case, stop here and enjoy this site.

As a lover of lighthouses I've been lucky to visit so many of them from Maine to California and Oregon and up and down the Florida coastline. So many lighthouses to see so little time! But right here in my own backyard (actually a mere 9 miles from where I currently reside!) there's the Cape Florida lighthouse and it's located at the end of a beautiful beach at the southern tip of Key Biscayne! It was originally built in 1825 and has guided many ships along the treacherous reefs off of South Florida's Atlantic coastline. The lighthouse can be visited certain days of the week on a ranger led tour,I would definitely recommend climbing to the top of the lighthouse for an amazing view of Key Biscayne and the surrounding waters. There's an interesting history about one of the lighthouse keepers and how he dealt with a Seminole Indian attack so do ask the rangers about that incident. The lighthouse is located within the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park which would be a worthwhile place to spend a few hours getting in some beach time and learning about some of the area's natural environment and early history!

It's an amazing place and a must visit in Florida, you will be amazed by the view from here to the city skyline and the sea.. Take a walk or rent a bike and you will not be disappointed.. We had a romantic evening here near the lighthouse and we clines the last the rock towards the sea so that we would be in southernmost point at Key Biscayne :-)) we even opened our google map to take a screen shot of that !!

I like Key Biscayne. Is for relaxation- come to this beach and then go to the lighthouse. I went with my family, it was quiet but still a save and clean place to be.

The lighthouse is located inside Bill Baggs State Park. It is free to go up in the lighthouse but not free to get in the park ($8 per car or $2 for bikers or in my case, runners). I went here during a week day so it wasn’t very crowded. It is several flights of stairs and very skinny stairs so be aware if you have issues with either of these things. Even at the top, it is a very skinny ledge to look out at the ocean and surrounding area. But it is worth it. Your visit shouldn’t take long but explore the trails and the area while you are here.

Beautiful park and beach. However, the beach was covered in ocean plant matter. Just mounds of it rotting on the sand. Nice areas to walk and see the lighthouse.

If this review is helpful, please give me a “thank you” vote.

1. Caveat. This is a review of the lighthouse only; not the State Park.

2. Ownership. This light station is owned, operated and has been restored by the Florida State Park system / state of Florida.

3. Inclement Weather. As with most other lighthouses that are open to the public, the staff may halt access to the lighthouse if inclement weather is impending (lightning, rain or high winds).

4. Expectations. I am a big fan of lighthouses and have had the privilege to tour several in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Texas and Bermuda. I will visit any lighthouse regardless of condition but always enjoy ones that have been restored and are open to the public to climb. My interests in lighthouses are many. I think it is amazing that they were constructed without the use of advanced equipment. Even if semi-modern equipment was available, I do not see how the equipment or building materials could have been easily transported to the remote sites where lighthouses were constructed. All construction materials and equipment had to arrive via ship/barge. I am also impressed that some lighthouses had the structural integrity to be disassembled, moved, reconstructed and/or heightened. Lastly, the dedication of lighthouse keepers cannot be overlooked; the remote locations of lighthouses meant that lighthouse keepers lead a very isolated and austere lifestyle requiring a great deal of self-reliance. Bottom Line: This lighthouse is very nice and well-restored; it is well-worth the visit for anyone interested in lighthouses, architecture and/or engineering.

5. Directions/location/access/parking.

5.a. Location. The lighthouse is located at 1200 Crandon Blvd Key Biscayne, FL (obtained from the lighthouse’s website). It is at the southern tip of the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.

5.b. Accuracy. I plugged the address into my iPhone and it took me directly there with no misdirection.

5.c. Access/parking - passenger vehicles. There are numerous parking spaces in the state park parking areas.

5.d. Access/parking - RVs and vehicles pulling trailers. I was not in an RV or pulling a trailer during my visit but I understand that many people who are visiting this site are on vacation and may be in an oversize vehicle. I would estimate that the park is easily accessible by RVs or trucks pulling travel trailers. I would recommend looking at imagery of the parking lot on Bing or Google Maps to determine accessibility. Regardless, if you are in an oversize vehicle, I would recommend arriving early to avoid being boxed in and to permit maximum mobility.

5. Operating Hours (obtained from the state park website). On the day of my visit, the lighthouse was open from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and then again from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

5.a. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday. 8:00 AM – Sundown.

5.b. Tuesday, Wednesday. Closed.

6. Admission Fee (for the state park – obtained from the state park website). $8.00 per vehicle (max of 8 people per vehicle); $4.00 if there is only one person in the vehicle.

7. Type of visit. On the day of my visit, the lighthouse was open for un-guided tours. I do not know if guided/narrated tours are available.

8. Staff. As near as I can ascertain, the personnel consisted of Florida State Park employees. There was only an employee at the base of the lighthouse; there were no employees/volunteers at the top.

9. Details of my visit. I visited on Saturday morning in July prior to the Independence Day holiday 2018. I arrived at 10:20 AM and departed at 11:30. The other visitors were comprised primarily of couples and families (3-5 people – adults and children). I would estimate that there were 20 people present during my visit.

10. Lighthouse History

10.a. 1825. The original lighthouse was completed. It was 65 feet tall; its brick walls were five feet thick at the bottom and two feet thick at the top. The lighting mechanism was 17 Argand lamps.

10.b. 23 July 1836. The lighthouse was attacked by Seminole Indians and partially destroyed.

10.c. 1836-1856. The lighthouse was inactive.

10.d. 1855. The lighthouse was renovated and heightened 30 feet (from 65 feet to 95 feet). It received a second order Fresnel lens and a cast-iron staircase replaced the original wooden staircase damaged during the Seminole attack. The lighthouse was re-lit in 1856.

10.e. 1878. The lighthouse was de-activated.

10.f. 1966. The lighthouse was purchased by the State of Florida.

10.g. 1968-1970. The lighthouse was renovated.

10.h. 1996. The lighthouse was restored to its 1855 appearance and specifications. This was a significant and expensive undertaking.

11. Lighthouse Statistics

11.a. There are approximately 105 steps and five landings. The stairs are barely wide enough to accommodate two people walking abreast.

11.b. Night-time acuity. 8 nautical miles / 16 kilometers / 9.2 mi.

11.c. Day-time acuity. The bricks were painted in a black and white pattern similar to most east-coast lighthouses. It is predominantly white and the gallery and lantern room (top) are black to contrast with the skyline.

11.d. Original lamp. The original 2d order Fresnel lens has been replaced by an automated, electric lamp.

12. Aesthetics

12.a. There are approximately four windows to permit light and ventilation.

12.b. Interior. The interior is painted white as to reflect light.

12.a. As with most lighthouses, the view from the top is spectacular. Visitors will have an unobstructed view of the Atlantic Ocean to the East and South and Key Biscayne/Miami to the North and West.

13. Other structures comprising the light-station

13.a. Light-keeper’s cottage. This building is not open to the public.

13.b. Kitchen. This small structure has been converted to a small theater (seats 10 people). There is a fifteen-minute video that provides history of the lighthouse and its restoration.

14. Grounds and landscaping. The paved path leading from the parking lot to the lighthouse is lined with very tall palm trees. The under-canopy consists of Live Oak trees and either Banyan or Fig Trees.

15. Handicap access. I am not handicapped but understand that this can affect someone's decision whether or not to visit a site/attraction.

15.e. There is a paved walkway (concrete pavers) that leads from the parking lot, to the lighthouse and to the lightkeeper’s house and kitchen. I would estimate that the walk from the parking lot to the lighthouse is 150 yards.

15.b. Access to the small theater requires negotiating three steps.

15.d. Visitors who are wheelchair-bound or have mobility problems will obviously not be able to climb the lighthouse.

16. Permissions/Prohibitions

16.a. Photography. Photography IS permitted in both the lighthouse and other structures.

16.b. Firearms (concealed or open-carry). I do not recall seeing any placards or signs prohibiting concealed weapons but I would check their website or call.

16.c Bare feet. I do not recall seeing signs prohibiting bare feet but it would be unwise/inappropriate to climb the lighthouse shoeless.

16.d. Pets. I do not recall what the pet policy is for the park; I am certain that pets are not permitted in the lighthouse.

17. Child friendliness. There is a sign at the bottom of the lighthouse announcing that children under 42” tall may not enter the lighthouse.

18. Amenities/creature comforts

18.a. Gift Shop. There is not a gift shop at the lighthouse.

18.b. Toilets. Restrooms are located at various locations throughout the state park.

18.c. Water Fountains. I believe there are water fountains at the restrooms.

18.d. Food & beverages. There are no food or beverages available at the lighthouse but I saw signs in the park advertising snack bars and cafes elsewhere in the park.

19. Other lighthouses. I would highly recommend those interested in lighthouses to consider visiting the lighthouses in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida Texas and Bermuda. The ones I have visited are primarily on a path running from Norfolk, Virginia, down the outer banks of North Carolina and down the coast of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Texas. Additionally, I have visited two in Bermuda. A good source of information is lighthousefriends dot com. There are two lighthouses in North Carolina that I have yet to visit.

19.a. Old Cape Henry Lighthouse. Located aboard the Fort Story U.S. Army installation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. This is the oldest lighthouse in the nation. It is open for visitors to climb; the light and all other associated mechanisms have been removed.

19.b. Currituck Beach Lighthouse. Located on the Outer Banks in Corolla, North Carolina. This is a very attractive red brick lighthouse in a very nice grove of Live Oak trees.

19.c. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Located on the Outer Banks in Buxton, North Carolina. This lighthouse is of significant interest in that it was moved 2,900 feet (880 meters) inland in 1999 to protect it from the encroaching surf/sea.

19.d. Bodie Island Lighthouse. Located on the Outer Banks near Nags Head, North Carolina. Recently renovated and has only been open to the public for 4 years. If I remember correctly, its 1st order Fresnel lens has been replaced with a 3d order lens.

19.e. Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Located on Harker’s Island near North Carolina’s Outer Banks. It is accessible only via a 20 minute ferry ride from Beaufort, North Carolina.

19.f. Hunting Island Lighthouse, SC. Located near Beaufort, SC. This is the only lighthouse in South Carolina that is open to the public. It is constructed of cast-iron plates bolted together vs brick.

19.g. Tybee Island Lighthouse. Located on Tybee Island, Georgia near Savannah. This is one of the two most comprehensive light-stations I have seen. In addition to the lighthouse, it has: a restored light-keepers house that can be entered, Summer Kitchen that can be entered, 1st Assistant Keepers cottage (not open to the public), and the 2d Assistant keeper’s cottage that has been converted to a theater.

19.h. St Augustine Lighthouse. Located in St Augustine, Florida. This is a very nice lighthouse that still contains its First Order Fresnel Lens; there is also a very nice light station museum on the property. This lighthouse provides a very nice view of several of the waterways in the area.

19.i. Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. Located near Daytona Beach, Florida. This is a very nice attraction. There are quite a few of the original structures and a building housing an extremely nice collection of Fresnel lenses.

19.j. Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. Located north of West Palm Beach, Florida. This lighthouse affords a very nice view of the convergence of several waterways.

19.k. Key West Lighthouse. Located in Key West, Florida. This lighthouse has a number of other attractions nearby that make it an ideal site to see on a 3 or 4 day weekend or roadtrip. The grounds are beautifully landscaped/maintained.

19.l. Dry Tortugas Lighthouse. Located on Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas National Park 70 miles west of Key West. This light requires a 3 hour boat ride or a 30 minute flight via a float plane. This is no longer a functioning lighthouse and is not that impressive but the fort to which it is attached is a magnificent example of engineering.

19.m. Port Isabel Lighthouse. Located in Port Isabel, Texas. This is a small lighthouse on a very small parcel of property but is significant in that it was abandoned by the U.S. for several years because it was disputed that the land on which it sets is on Mexican territory. It no longer has its light.

19.n. Gibbs Hill Lighthouse. Located on Bermuda. This is one of the few lighthouses I have toured that is constructed of cast iron plates vs bricks.

19.o. St David’s Lighthouse. Located in Bermuda. This is a smaller lighthouse and little off the beaten path for tourists but affords a spectacular view of the northern end of the island. Of note, it has retained it wooden staircase and handrails.

20. Photographs. I have attached several photographs.

21. The only thing that could make this attraction better would be if the lighthouse keeper's cottage was renovated and turned into a museum/gift shop.

We had a lovely day visiting Cape Florida , very pretty area where everyone was friendly. We went on a tour around the lighthouse and saw the cottage etc. There was lots of interesting historical detail . The view was amazing , worth the climb. I really enjoyed this though the rest of the family preferred the boat rides we did there.

I borrowed a bike from my hotel and rode down and around the area. Although you can take a car in, if you can get a bike and are able, it is definitely worth it. There are bike trails all around the lighthouse area. It's an easy ride, and the breeze from the ocean makes it quite pleasant. History around the lighthouse interesting, too.

The tour itself is minimal. Mostly it's just walking up to the top but the views are worth it. Key Biscayne to one side and the Atlantic ocean to the other. Gorgeous!

Beautiful day cycling across the park with the first ride free with lime bike. Ralaxing walking and beautiful view of the El Farito, we have also met strange animals really funny.

We tried to visit it three times. It was closed in the first two times. So you'd check the schedule first.
The view point is nice. But you can not stay there for long time. It was too rush to enjoy the landscape.
You can enjoy the beach in the park after visit the lighthouse.

One of the best places to go when visiting south Florida. This park is very close to Miami and even so it still seems like a hidden place. Park your car and take the trails in the nature. Walk along the shore of the beach near the lighthouse and check for days and time to go up there. The view is breathtaking! Totally worth it. I recommend a picnic since there aren't many places to eat. Watch out for raccoons, though.

We had very much looked forward to touring the lighthouse, but arrived two minutes after its closing time (2pm!!). We were disappointed but did not bargain or argue with the Ranger....unsolicited he scolded us for not having checked out the website and being better informed. As we were leaving this man (we actually did not respond), another tourist engaged the Ranger and was told (verbatim): "It is because of rude tourists like you that we have these rules." Thus far, we have always only had good experiences with Park Rangers....this one was a first. The grounds were beautiful and the lighthouse looked interesting, but after our encounter our mood was rather subdued!!!!!!
If you go, beware of the angry Park Ranger...and make sure you arrive long before 2pm.

I and my fiance went to Miami this past week and we were at cape florida state park on thursday 5/30/13. I went there and I fell in love with the beach and the surrounding. It was so quiet and pleasant. It was like a private beach, and I was thinking why no one would want to come here. Well, I learnt it the hard way. I asked the lighthouse cafe people one how to get to the lighthouse and where to park and all. Those were the only local people I talked to at the beach and the girl there told me where to park and when the tour will start and all. Now, I don't know who all are involved in all this, but I can all make assumptions on what could have been the case. We were told the tour was quick, 15-20 mins unless you ask more questions to the ranger. So, I thought why bother taking my purse that had my wallet and everything was packed in a bag pack with some beach cloths and food and water ready for us to take to the beach as soon as we come back from the lighthouse tour. And that was my biggest mistake that ruined my entire trip. we were back in 20 mins. Tour started at 1pm and we were back by 1:20pm. And within those 20 mins someone had enough time to break open the rare glass window in the right side of my car and get into the car, opened the glove box to check if anything was there and take the bag from the car. And when we came back we found out someone broke into out car. GREAT!! I told the security on the state park, at the information they let me make phone calls and stuff. And one of the visitors told me this was not the 1st time this had happened. They had their car broke into 3 time. The state park does nothing to protect you. And charges you $8 to get into the park. And I asked the people working there, and they said this had happened before and sometimes they find empty bags in the woods. And after that no answer from them. The guy managed to run after with the bag far enough and spend lil over 1000 $$ on my credit cards. $81 of gas and tons of money on a 7 eleven. We were going on a cruise to bahamas the next day and I had $550 case to be exact saved for the cruise as I didnt wanna spend credit card on the ship. In those 20 mins our trip was just over there and then. So yes, It was a very beautiful place, but next time you go there, do not leave anything in the car and have a good insurance of the car.

Beautiful park. 8dollat fee. Climbed to the top and saw amazing views. Nice beach areas to swim. The light house is not for those with vertigo. Small observation deck. Wish I was staying longer would come back with bikes and a picnic, clean well maintained park.

Situated in Billy Baggs Cape Florida State Park, it's the oldest lighthouse in Miami. You can climb to the top to get great views over the Key and beaches. There is also a replica of the lighthouse keepers shack. The house is a museum and is self guided, however, the park ranger was very friendly and happy to tell you all about the place.

The Lighthouse is located within the Park and is a very peaceful place not very crowded with a pretty decent beach in the heart of Key Biscayne... It’s only 15 mins away of Miami and it’s only USD per vehicle so if you are around, make sure you spend a couple of hours in the Park!.

Lovely tour of the lighthouse. The view is amazing and the story inspiring. I would not suggest small children or people in poor shape or health as the climb is not a cakewalk, although well worth it.

Loved it! Cute little walkway through palm trees to see the lighthouse. Easy access for anyone, on a nice little beach. Very cute lighthouse! If you're in the area, it doesn't take long to visit!

The lighthouse is only open for tours 10-11am and 1-2 pm every day but is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We were sad to only be able to see the outside, but it was impressive!

We walked from Ritz Key Biscayne on the beach. We walked thru the State Park. It took about 30-45 mins at a leisurely pace. Got there in time for the sunset. So Beautiful. Great for photo op. Bring some cash so you can get water or tropical drinks or snacks at the Lighthouse Cafe there. There is also a little shack that rents out bikes and those 3-6 person pedal carriages. They closed when we discovered them. I will try them next time.

You can drive here too. The seemed to be ample parking in the parking lot.

Not what I expected was closed when we got in ( after 1 PM ) got some nice pictures and great historic information.

Biscayne Key is a wonderful place. Once you enter the park ($8 per carload) you can picnic under pavilions, hang on the beach, visit the Lighthouse, fish on the bay, etc...The Lighthouse is very beautiful and the vignette of the entrance is extremely picturesque. We picnicked on the wall overlooking the ocean. The park was pretty crowded when we went, but there are so many places to see, you can get away from the crowds if you just enter the lighthouse grounds. I am biased toward lighthouses and never visited one I didn't love. This was no exception!

You'll never run out of must see attractions in the Miami area.The entry fee for the park was minimal but you have to get there early to tour the lighthouse. You can spend an hour or the day. I'm a lighthouse enthusiast so I went just to see this. Although, the lovely aqua blue waters of the beach were an added treat.Then we ate at a cafe nearby that offers refreshing watermelon juice and a cool crisp salad.

Gorgeous lighthouse. Open twice a day for tours, but the line was long (only 10 people allowed up at a time) so we didn’t queue for it,

If this is open, you must go. Remember, Florida is flat so this one of the view places to get an overview.

Didn't get a tour of the light house because they don't offer it that day, was still a beautiful thing to see! It's a must thing to see while you are in Miami!

We visited on a hot afternoon. Very informative displays. Great park setting. Views from top were amazing, in all directions.
The line up was about 10 minutes to get in (a limited number of people are allowed access at one time...and asked to limit stay at top to 7 minutes). Part of time this meant waiting in the sun. Bring enough water.

Nice view.
I expected to see the original 1855 lighthouse.
The lighthouse was all remodeled.
Unfortunately, the original wall wall cover by another outside wall.
It was worth the $4 park entrance

I can't tell how much I enjoyed this day! Me and a couple friends didn't have where to go and we wanted to walk and do something fun so we went to this place and we just had such a good time!, we rented a bike and we rode all the trails close to the sea it was just perfect! we ate in the tables that they have and we even saw raccoons! but they where docile just wanted food, at the end we just walked a little bit around the lighthouse, it is so quite, and it had this little sea breeze that makes the place just calming and relaxing. We really had a good time.

Architectural jewel telling a story of guiding mariners into safe harbor. Built 1825, 95 feet high or 109 steps. At the top of the steps you can see: Stiltsville (community of water dwelling homes), South Beach, downtown Miami. In 1513, Ponce de Leon called the area "Cape of Florida", later it stuck to the lighthouse. The White lighthouse is the oldest structure in Miami. It is picturesque, and now offers a backdrop for weddings. The tours are free, Crandon Park charges $4. for car and one person.

We rented bikes in the nature preserve and road to the lighthouse and all around. We were glad we walked up the 109 steps to the top of the lighthouse. Very enjoyable outing.

This is the best place to see the beauties of Bill Baggs Park. At the top of the lighthouse is possible to have a 360º view of the park, including the beautiful beach and the skyscrapers of downtown Miami.

If you don't take the lighthouse tour by a ranger, there's not much to see here. They do it twice a day.

new discovery for us at the south tip of Key Biscayne. after park entry fee, we were able to tour the lighthouse here (no extra charge). stepping back in time, seeing the beautiful Miami views, even the intriguing Stiltsville to the south. definitely worth the many steps up.

This tour is only opened by a posted schedule. However, the rangers make the tour super interesting by the history construction and the use of the orginal lighthouse. You can climb to the top only when the tour is available. We enjoyed it very much.

The park is lovely with a beautiful beach that was not crowded. The view from the lighthouse was breathtaking and the tour was very informative and interesting. We also toured the lighthouse keepers house and the park ranger shared several stories with history of the area. We intended to stay for a couple hours and ended up spending the entire day at the park relaxing and enjoying the beautiful grounds.

When planning your trip, make sure you check on the tours as they are not offered each day.

This light is so beautiful and soars toward the blue Florida sky. The walk to the light is very pretty also. Go and just enjoy the peaceful serenity that you'll find here. While viewing the light, take in the rest of the park also.

We enjoyed hearing the history of the lighthouse. We climbed the 109 steps inside and the view from the top of the lighthouse is great. Really pretty Beach and water.

Whoosh! You certainly feel accomplished when you get to the top! Great views though so it's worth the effort. Nice hiking trails in the park for before or after your climb.

Great presentation of the history of South Florida. Amazing views of Biscayne Bay, Stiltsville, Downtown, South beach. Can only get up the lighthouse during a tour, which occurs at 10 AM and 1 PM daily (except Tues & Wed). The website does not present this information efficiently. There's also a height requirement to climb the lighthouse's 109 steps.

But Lighthouse is under reapair. You can walk the grounds and go into the keepers house but not up into the Lighthouse.

You pay to eter the park but the lighthouse grounds are free.

We were there around closing time but the amazing park ranger could see that it was our one chance to go to the top, and allowed us in. The views from the top were absolutely amazing.

We took an enjoyable walk down to the lighthouse and they wouldn’t let us in as it was just after 2 pm and she said they were closing. We walked around the lighthouse and read all the info about the lighthouse. It looked pretty nice from the outside. If you continue walking to the beach area next to the lighthouse you can see some of the previous parts from the old lighthouse before it was restored. It was very interesting

it's like a little oasis just beside Miami....kids loved it, clean beach and lots of amenities, washrooms close and water was warm. What more can I say !!!!

This is an amazing park with a beautiful landscape and a fantastic beach.
There are many picnic spots.
Besides that, there is a beacon where you can go to the top and appreciate the view.

This is such a beauty. The restoration is so well done and I'm so happy they have preserved this. I enjoyed taking picture after picture of this structure. So glad we came to see it.

I loved the lighthouse tour! The park ranger had a good voice and interesting information. Nicely done and the hours were clear.

Just a short drive from downtown you can get your history fix. Take the tour to the top of the lighthouse o be rewarded with an amazing view. You can fish, bike ride and enjoy one of the top 10 beaches in the U.S.

This state park is a little gem even for a local. Make sure to check the schedule when you are allowed into the Lighthouse, you cannot go up anytime, only during open time frames.

Lovely and historic. You can climb the lighthouse for a great 360 degree view of beaches, water and city skyline,

This is a fun place to spend the afternoon exploring. The lighthouse is only open twice a day (10 and 1) for tours, but we still had fun. There is a nice beach area, hiking areas, a bathhouse, and playground.

When you pay the fee to enter the park, they don't inform you of anything. We went in the late afternoon past the tour times so the lighthouse wasn't even open for you to climb up it, just the grounds. I also read a sign that stated it wasn't open for tours on Tuesday and Thursday. Ensure you are going at a tour time before you head out. However, the beach is very nice and the lighthouse is pretty.

Check the website for hours as the lighthouse is not always open. When we visited in April, they were doing tours twice per day only a few days per week. The views at the top are totally worth the climb up!

BEAUTIFUL-see my review of bill baggs park. Historic and beautiful light house. You can walk to the top if you are 42".

Nice beach. Water is very clean. However, toilet is very dirty. Bad maintenance. They are collecting $8 per car entry. beach chair and umbrella is available for rental ($20). Light house is very good. They don't if child is below 42'inch height. Old person can not go up.

We were excited to go see the lighthouse but it was closed at 4pm. So if you are going to go it has to be early. The entry fee is $8 per car for the park.

Very nice park with knowledgeable, friendly staff and beautiful views. The park is well kept and is full of local history. Be sure and go to the top of the light house. Beautiful view...

We had a great time in the lighthouse tour and learning its history. This landmark is just awesome. 109 steps to go up but you will have a great view of Key Biscayne and Miami. A must when visiting Key Biscayne.

Beautiful park and beach. However, the beach was covered in ocean plant matter. Just mounds of it rotting on the sand.

I remember going to this beach when I was young. The view of the lighthouse is very nice (I did not actually visit the lighthouse). The greenery, etc. is also nice. Areas for picnic are available. The day we went - the seaweed was all over the place - UGH! there is a café that offers food, etc. but I did not buy anything. You pay $8 per car to get to this beach.

Do note that you can not go up at any time; entry is only allowed at a certain time and day. Went there while riding a bike with the kids; they seemed to really enjoy the history and the visit

Always enjoy a good walk to the Lighthouse. Iconic spot of Key Biscayne.

Can be crowded but nice to visit and walk to a beach nearby.

I love the Cape Florida Lighthouse! I was able to convince my wife to have our wedding here and it was amazing! The State Park staff were awesome, the weather was incredible and the lighthouse makes an excellent backdrop 😊❤️

This lighthouse is at the end of a very nice beach in a nature reserve state park. It is very picturesque and the views from the top must be great but I didn’t find a way to visit it inside

Although Key Biscayne is overgrown.....the land that was donated with the lighthouse is a gem. The beaches at Crandon Park are lovely if not overrun with people. We could not climb the lighthouse but it is so great that it was restored and maintained.

Inside the Baggs state park in Key Biscayne, you find the lighthouse which provides some of the history of this secluded place. You can visit the actual lighthouse as well as a small home that was used many years ago by the lighthouse “guardian”. It’s worth a visit & you can take advantage of the visit to walk around, rent a bike, do some jogging & even eat at the restaurant inside the park.

This is one of my favorite climbs. I love the views of Miami. You may even spot sea life and definitely birds around the park. The guide did a great job providing the history and his experiences at the park especially during devastating hurricane seasons. It is so nicely kept and the views from the top are spectacular. Make sure to check the times to go up tower as the times are limited but totally worth it. Enjoy the park grounds or beach until it opens.

Florida can offer you a lot of outdoor activities, but walking under the trees to the light house can be soooo relaxing. We parked the car just at the end and strolled trough the trees to the light house. On the way back we walked along the sea. Just at the light house there is a beautiful straight alley with palms on both sides. Also a replica of the original house is to be seen. The place has a whole authenticity and quiet. Someone donated a bank about 50 m away so you can sit and enjoy the view. Beautiful!

you need to go to this beah if you are in Miami. The park is fantastic, you have a beautiful restaurant, you can go and spent all day.

we took a car ride into the lighthouse as the walk would have been much too long and hot, once there the lighthouse had been restored and looked wonderful, artifacts from history where all in place and well taken care of.

Cape Florida Light has protected boaters from treacherous reefs on and off for almost two hundred years. Bad luck if you were sailing past at night during one of the "off" periods, some of which lasted for decades. Now there's no lighthouse keeper, but there is an automatic light, so the lighthouse is now "on" again. Allegedly: without a current navigational chart of the area I wouldn’t swear to what benefit, if any, the light provides at night, let alone how to distinguish it from other lights. Still, a splendid old lighthouse, with “free tours.” I qualify the free tours because you have to pay a fee to get into Bill Baggs State Park in order to get to the lighthouse, and be warned that there are only two tours per day: at 10am and 1pm. Show up at 1:15 and you’re out of luck. Actually, show up any time on Tuesdays or Wednesdays and you’re out of luck, because they don’t have any tours those two days. However, if you’re looking for something to do on Tuesday morning, and your flight home leaves on Wednesday night, it might still behoove you to check out Cape Florida Light.
The lighthouse itself is quite picturesque (see Cape Florida Light photo). To get there, you have to walk under an avenue of palms. These are royal palms—real royalty, not a marketing gimmick—named after King Joao VI of Portugal. Thanks to Napoleon occupying Portugal, Joao VI found it healthier to sit out the last half of the Napoleonic Wars in Rio de Janeiro. To while away the time he started a royal tropical garden, and collected living specimens of every tropical plant he could lay his hands on. One Caribbean palm particularly struck his fancy: it grew very straight, very tall, with a single trunk and no branches. Back in Europe, lining an avenue with tall, narrow, straight trees, was an old tradition—the Romans lined their Appian Way with Lombardy poplars. King Joao thought; “Hey, these palms would be perfect for that!” You can now see royal palms lining roads from Singapore to Santa Monica, but the one here is more true to the original royal brainwave: in a garden-like setting, and in the (almost) tropics. I estimate that the palms here are about 40 years old; the trees grow a foot a year. The original avenue of palms has trees about a century old and 100 feet high. (I’ve reviewed King Joao’s Jardim Botanico in TA under Rio de Janeiro). But an avenue of palms—or even Lombardy poplars—is particularly splendid if the laws of perspective draw your eye toward something tangible and impressive where the visual lines converge: and here they converge on the lighthouse, making it photogenic as all get-out (see Avenue of Palms photo).

Go from macroscopic to near-microscopic and there are other interesting things to see on the avenue of palms: I spotted an athletic hermit crab scurrying along under the heavy load of a seashell, right beside the avenue (see Hermit Crab photo).

Lighthouses have keepers, if they’re active and not automated—the lights, not the keepers. Keepers require living quarters. Much as we might nowadays like topless sun worshipers on South Beach or the nightlife in Little Havana, I kind of think that in the mid-1800s, you had to really tick off your boss to get assigned to god-forsaken and pestilential Cape Florida Light. The word “condemned” comes to mind. But at least you did get a free place to live, and the lighthouse keepers’ house still stands. Quite charming digs, and it had its own cistern of course (see Keepers House and Cistern photos). Because there was no ground water on Key Biscayne, (a shoal that somehow managed to just barely get above sea level during the last period of global cooling about 800 years ago), to get fresh water you had to set up a rooftop plumbing system that collected rainwater through gutters and dumped it into the cistern. No rain for an extended period and you die of thirst, but South Florida always has adequate tropical downpours, and if there ever had been a short-term drought, the keepers had rum.

Once you see the lighthouse, do walk along the shore to your right (westward) from the lighthouse, to get outstanding views of Miami from the entrance to Biscayne Bay (see Miami from Cape Florida photo). If you need a break from the traffic and high-decibel high-energy of metro Miami, Cape Florida Light is a great escape, only a Rickenbacker Causeway or two away from downtown. Highly recommended.

I absolutely love lighthouses and the Cape Florida Lighthouse is no exception. Free, guided tours are available, just check the schedule before visiting. However, you must pay to enter the park. The guided tour is the only way to actually enter and climb to the top of the lighthouse, which is a modest trek. The views are worth it. Might as well check out the entire park while there.

The lighthouse only opens one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon, except Tuesdays and Wednesdays. But if you can arrange to be there when it's open for visiting, it is a must see.
You will not find a better view than what you will see from the top of the lighthouse. Astonishing. Many stairs; not everyone can make it, but eell worth the climb. It is free and a ver nice guide gives a 10 minute history intro and takes you to the gate.

This place looks great and is great for photo op. However, I do not know if I went at a bad time, but there were mosquitoes all over the place. Could not even stand there for more than 10 minutes.

We took our kayaks there in hopes of being able to kayak. We decided to check out the lighthouse first which I'm glad we did. The parking lot was full of litter but the area leading up to the lighthouse is beautifully landscaped, there are tons of large lizards there which added to the scenery. We happened to go when the lighthouse we open so we decided to make the climb up. There are about 110 steps to the top and the view from the top is amazing. There is a short hiking trail with a historical building. After checking out the lighthouse we ventured to find the kayak launch. That was a huge disappointment, you basically park in the same lot as everyone and then carry your kayaks to the beach. That's fine if you have wheels for your kayak we do not. They definitely don't cater to kayaks or boats. The area around the kayak launch has garbage all over and the bathroom was one of the worse I have ever seen. For the $8 admission fee they should keep the grounds cleaner.

Visited the park and lighthouse via bikes. The bike trail they have is great and the lighthouse gives an amazing view. There's a nice beach as well and you can see Stiltsville across the water which was kind of neat.

This lighthouse is very well maintained and so picturesque. We arrived just as the gated grounds were closing (4pm), but the ranger was allowing people to take pictures. The grounds are well kept, and you can walk to the top of the lighthouse for free. Note that there is a height requirement of 42" to walk up.

A great place to park up for the day as only a small fee to enter the park. We had a picnic while watching cheeky raccoons and iguanas roam around before visiting the lighthouse and relaxing on the beach. Everywhere is well maintained and didn’t feel too crowded even on a beautiful sunny day

This light house has a lot of history and it was worth the trip into the park. Definetly a must see.

I love this little lighthouse. It was open to the public the day we were there, which makes for a nice little activity while you’re at the beach.

The lighthouse scenery is beautiful but you can barely climb it, only on certain times. Admission to park charges $8 and basically it is just for entering the park. You can walk to the park from beach side and get in there for free!

Rent a bike and ride it into the park. Take the bike path the the end of the island and check out the lighthouse. If it's open, you can take the stairs to the top for an amazing view of Key Biscayne and Miami. Park Ranger tells the history of the lighthouse, which makes it even more interesting. Look for Manatees off the beach.
Huge beach, right next to the lighthouse, and a restaurant too. Great Park. (42" height requirement)

This lighthouse has an interesting history. It was constructed in 1825. During the Second Seminole War, which started in 1835, it was attacked by the Indians. One of the two lighthouse keepers was mortally wounded in the firefight with the Seminoles. The other keeper was wounded but survived. As a result of this skirmish, the lighthouse caught fire and was badly damaged. It was renovated. Years later it was further renovated.

Unfortunately for me, the lighthouse was closed when I showed up. Apparently it's only open on certain days of the week and at certain times. Oh well, it was a good photo op.

Nice walk and educational trip. Need to walk off some of the Cuban food and Mojitos. Lots of open beach to make it a good day trip.

We did not get to go to the top of the lighthouse as there was a wait (allow 10 at a time) but the view from around the lighthouse and the grounds are very well kept. It is about $8 to drive into the park.

We tried to walk up to the lighthouse from the beach but it is blocked, but I believe there is access for the parking lot

If you are in Miami, I strongly recommend crossing the bridge to visit this Lighthouse in Key Biscayne. The place is the opposite of crowded and is really beautiful! The Lighthouse itself was closed during my visit but the experience was not less interesting. Except from the hot weather I would definitely come back.

The cape Florida lighthouse is gorgeous! I also love that you can enjoy a day at the beach with the lighthouse as a backdrop.

Like this site and area, we came here by car - the car pass to the park where the lighthouse is located cost 8$. You can drive almost to Lighthouse and park the car in the shade, Thanks there are a lot of trees on the parking spot.
Looks like it's one of the oldest constructions in Florida.
You can have a tour to the lighthouse and go to the top to see 360 panorama of Key Biscayne and the very beginning of the South Beach & Fisher Island. Tours starts at 10am and 1pm except Tuesdays & Wednesday.
How much it cost I have no idea cause we have been there with my friend on Wednesday:)
Nearby you can find an OK beach, sun beds and umbrellas are available for rent.

Loved this little historical treasure. The views from the top were more than worth the climb, and the attendant and his little puppy were so sweet!

I have been going to the Cape Florida Lighthouse for quite sometime. I live in Key Biscayne. It is a very calm and nice place to appreciate our beautiful Bill Baggs Park. The rangers are just incredibly helpful and couldn't be nicer.
There is also a superb seafood restaurant a few yards from the lighthouse. In fact, my daughter got married on that beach and we had quite a party at the restaurant.

Cool lighhouse at the edge of Bill Bags state park. Definitely worth checking out. Didn't get to go up top because I was there when it was closed, but great views from the bottom regardless.

I really liked the paths to the lighthouse with all the very tall palm trees! The old house next to the lighthouse looks really cosy. Unfortunately the lighthouse itself was closed and we were also unable to look at it from the front, as a pregnant lady in a bikini was busy with being photographed over there. Same situation for the renovation stand at the entrance/exit, which was used by people for marriage pictures. However marrying and having a baby are once in a lifetime happenings. Although 13hrs flights to Miami might be considered the same, but nevermind ;)

Beautiful, well-maintained lighthouse. You are able to go to the top for free. Beach access right nearby.

Typical Atlantic coast light, fighting beach erosion. I did not arrive during open touring hours, and there is very limited locations to photograph the light. Interesting keeper's house. Inside a state park.

Safe family area. With historical information and exhibits. Fantastic views of the city, ocean and the Keys. Fishing, picnic and beach available for nominal fee.

The ranger is waiting for you at 10 am sharp. He tells you the story of the lighthouse and is good at adapting it to the young kids in the audience. Short walk breath taking view: so much so that it is a photo shoot for weddings! Climb up the lighthouse it is a must and you'll be rewarded! The grounds are also beautifully kept and somedays the little house is open- a real treat!

Beautiful Piece of Florida history. We rode bicycles into Bill baggs cape Florida state park which I highly recommend ( can leave car at beginning of key Biscayne). Lighthouse closes fairly early so get there in time. Beautiful views! Admission covered with park admission.

Went in the park to have lunch and took a walk around to enjoy the views as well as the peacefulness. It was a Monday and not very many people around. We decided to go up the lighthouse for a view.
there is a volunteer or ranger at the bottom to make sure not to many people go in at one time. Obviously you have to walk to the top. Once at the top - the first step out into the open may feel a little scary, but once outside and walking around it is nice. There is a nice breeze up there. Definitely worth the climb.

You can actually climb to the top of the lighthouse! It was a beautiful day and we could see into the water below. We saw a manatee in the water below. Great view from the top. If you can give it try. Nice park. Lots of picnic tables and walking paths.

Part of the John Pennekamp State Farm, at the far end of Key Biscayne, offers great bike/jogging trails free of cars, overlooking Biscayne Bay, great beach and facilities, two restaurants and in general a great spot to enjoy the natural beauty of the place. Explore the out of the way views and trails. A must if in the area!

Decided to stop here on our way down to the keys. Totally missed the fact that you can only tour the lighthouse from 10am-11am and 1pm-2pm... we arrived at 11:01 and you can be sure the ranger was a stickler for time. Anyway, it is a beautiful lighthouse and I hear the views from the top are great!

I took a walk along the beach into Bill Boggs park. I kept walking until I came to the lighthouse. It was closed for tours but was still a nice visit. There are historical markers and signs and very interesting history.

The lighthouse is located in a nice setting along with a replica of the lighthouse keeper’s house. I just wish I’d been around for a tour.

Park in the second last parking lot for easy access. You can still get to the lighthouse from the last parking lot by walking along the break wall.

We visiting Cape Florida Lighthouse in Bill Baggs State Park at the end of April. Admission was $8 for a passenger car. The weather was balmy but unfortunately rainy. Felt sorry for the families that were there for picnics and cookouts but by the time we left the rain had stopped so perhaps they ended up having fun after all.

The lighthouse and the small historical outbuildings associated with it were accessible by a smooth, shaded path. The lighthouse is open limited hours and was unfortunately closed, however, the tour guide was sitting on the porch of the lighthouse keepers cottage and gave us some interesting details about the surrounding areas and lighthouse.

The beach area was nice, but again, we didn't venture out for long due to the rain. There were two restaurants and areas to fish.

We would definitely visit again if in the area and if the weather cooperated.

i've been to the lighthouse before and the view is amazing! this trip, the lighthouse was closed, so we were not able to go up to the top. don't miss the view. it's absolutely gorgeous! and the beach is beautiful!

Worth the $8 park entrance a short wait time to climb 109 steps to the top. The views are amazing 360. Wear closed shoes. Flip flippers had issues. Entrance is under 5ft so might be had for a tall person. Some rest platforms on way up. Stairs narrow also. View deck is very narrow. Not recommended for large, very tall or very small people/ children.
Only open during tours but free. Volunteer Rangers control the crowds. Nice small beach at base. Saw a baptism on beach.

The lighthouse and it's surrounding area a very fun to visit. At certain times you can also go up to the top and see the beautiful view!

When we were there the lighthouse was closed, I'm not sure if you can go up there. However the area around there (Bill Baggs Florida State Park) is nice.

simply amazing history surrounding this light house. pretty great view from the top as well. highly recommend making the effort to visit - will not disappoint

This area is beautiful. The Lighthouse is a beacon of joy combining families fishing and picnicking in thee west with the beach fun to the east.
The options for hiking and cycling make this a great site for wonderful fun with friends or family.

Picturesque light house at end of beach section. Enjoyed run. The beach is pretty dirty at this time of year (with algae) and also lots of jelly fish. But as long as you watch out, you are fine.

Just loved the lighthouse...great restoration job...keepers house is beautifully presented. ..walking to top and view is wonderful

We stopped by the lighthouse on our way to the beach and were able to go up into it. It was an easy climb and not too scary for those who have a fear of heights. The outside deck had beautiful views of the beach below and out into the water. The park employee outside had a lot of wonderful history about the lighthouse and surrounding area.

Stunning 360* views make the 170 step climb worth it, but if you have any lung or heart issues, give it a pass. Open for tours twice a day, W-Sat, so check schedule. Also reconstructed historic home, and short walk to lovely beach .
$8 per car.

Stop here for a great lighthouse tour, given by a Park Ranger. Lots of interesting history, and tour of gatekeeper's house as well. 110 steps to the top, for a fantastic view! Tour is free, entrance fee to park is $8 per car.

Well worth a quick visit. You are allowed up in small groups. Stairs are very narrow and steep. Not for the faint hearted at the top!

Steep climb but wonderful views from the top make it worthwhile. Feels a lot higher from the top than it does looking up from the bottom.

The view is worth it.

There's something about lighthouses that are so soothing. They make you think about the end of the land and the start of the infinity of the sea. I don't know, I just love them and this one isn't an exception. I walked the whole part just to see it

Let's start with the good. The view from the lighthouse is worth the climb of 109 steps. Since you can walk 360 degrees around the outside of the lamp room, you can see, unobstructed, in every direction. This is a great place to bring your camera. It is nice that this important part of history has been restored so that it can be enjoyed form the inside and the outside. The grounds around the area are pretty well kept. It is conveniently located in the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. Once you have paid your admission to the park, there is no additional charge.

Now the negative. Given the amount of people at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on the Saturday we visited, I have a hard time understanding why the lighthouse is only open for "tours" at 10:00 AM and at 1:00 PM. (it is not open at all on two consecutive weekdays, I cannot recall which ones.) Our "tour guide" was nice at first when we were under the cabana, however, his knowledge about the lighthouse was pretty limited. More troubling was the fact that this "tour" seemed like an inconvenience in whatever it is he normally does at the park. We were instructed to "climb to the top and take a couple of laps around, then come back down." The instructions concluded with "don't spend 10 minutes up there" because "once people see it is open the line will grow." This is ridiculous. There is CLEARLY the demand, on the weekend at least, to have it open longer, yet we are limited to just a couple of minutes up there? I would have gladly paid an additional fee ($3-$8 would be reasonable) and signed up in advance for a particular time to be able to spend 10-15 minutes up there taking photos and, call me crazy, have the tour guide climb the stair with us and point out things of interest! Two way traffic on the narrow staircase seems like a really stupid idea.

Bottom line, if you like lighthouses and are on Key Biscayne then, of course, you should take the "tour" just don't expect much. However, if you are just looking for something to do and were not planning on going park, then you may want to look elsewhere.

Great area for the beach. If you park by likehothouse, there is a restaurant and bar area. able to rent chairs and nearby bathrooms. Not as crowded.

This is a beautiful spot to visit and the light house has lots of history. We saw families on the beach and in the shady spots enjoying time together and cooking.
We were sad to find out upon arriving that the lighthouse closes at 5 pm. By the time we drove back into the light house area and parked, it was shutting down just a few minutes before 5pm. We could only see it from the outside by walking around to the beach.
We did not know the hours when we entered the park and paid the entry fee. I guess we should have asked - so I'll encourage you to ask before you pay!

This is a neat old lighthouse (thoroughly renovated in 1996) that is definitely worth a visit. It is open for a free tour at 10:00 and 1:00 every day except Tuesday and Wednesday (no tours on those days). Right on the beach so it is a nice option for a day at the beach. Signs and other buildings on the same property for better understanding of the history of the area.

Located in the Bill Baggs park where there is plenty to do - nice BBQ area with tables and grills - and a short walk from car to the beach, if you are looking to a tranquil and safe visit to the beach in the Miami area, this is the spot -- just get there early, park does fill up, and it closes early

This lighthouse has tours at 10am and 1pm. Now we didn't do a tour and it isn't completely necessary. Around the base are many information boards and appropriate rebuilds e.g the light keepers home, rebuilt in the 1800s. What the lighthouse tour will do, is provid you with a view. The lighthouse is in Bill Baggs country park, this is $8 to enter by car. On our visit we saw a Racoon, we then saw the Racoon sneak into someone's sun tent and pinch their bag of bread. We also saw a Hermetic crab, many lizards and most importantly Dolphins.

It's a very nice lighthouse and you can walk up to the top to view the ocean but the guys will not let you in if you are too close to 1pm even if you get there before 1. They will not stay one minute after and close up shop quickly.

Theres a restaurant inside that has good fresh fish , worth to
Try it. The tuna is good and the mahi mahi aswell , nice service

Nice restored Lighthouse but nothing extraordinary about it. Didn't go on the tour up in the lighthouse but made the walking Loop that provided some historical information.

We wanted to see the lighthouse, but arrived after it had possibly closed for the day so we couldn't climb to the top. We initially started where the road ended/parking lot area. This area did not have access to the beach, only a wall with rocks on the other side that was alongside a sandy/rocky beach road people rode bikes along. This place you would be able to see the sun set against the water. To get lighthouse pictures, go just a bit back up the road, like you would eat at the lighthouse cafe area, there is a walk thru area to get to the beach. Here you can walk along the sandy beach or step into the ocean with the waves lapping onto your feet! The sun sets behind the lighthouse, so we didn't actually see the sun set, but it made for beautiful sky pictures with the lighthouse as a back drop. The lighting here was perfect for lots and lots of beach pics.

Climb up several stories and you get to the top of the lighthouse, which affords you a fabulous 360 degree view. The parks guide is a gushing fountain of information about the lighthouse and the history of the area.

Visited this State Park on a Saturday. We had checked the website for opening times of the lighthouse, tours were available at 10am and 1pm that day and we arrived too late; or so we thought. In fact you could still go up at gone 3pm and there was a slight queue as numbers are, quite rightly, restricted to avoid overcrowding. The climb of 109 steps is so well worth the effort, the views are amazing. We also climbed the short, steep set of stairs to the lantern room.
As well as the lighthouse, there is an area where you can picnic and barbecue and the beach is just fantastic, beautifully clean, white sand. It is obviously very popular with the locals who were there in numbers but it didn't feel overcrowded. We also saw some pelicans, racoons and iguanas which fascinated us Brits! The only let down to my mind was the cafe area; there wasn't all that much room and not a massive choice but this is probably due top the fact that most people probably bring their own food. Also, I think the shop area could be expanded, there was not a big range of souvenirs or information about the area. Other than that, highly recommend a visit!

This place had come a long way. The view was amazing and facilities were available. I don't know if there is access to the lighthouse during the week but the beach was amazing. Nice visit.

Went here while vacationing in Miami. Nice lighthouse but nothing flashy about it. You can walk to the top which was nice.

Very bad idea to come on the weekend! ! Many people ! It's not worth the trip! 3 hours! to leave Key Biscayne. Lack of control with cars to leave and enter! Refrain

Beautiful view from this historic building. Make certain to take the free tour. Well maintained facility.

Enjoyed the ranger talk and the climb (109 steps) up the tight iron spiral staircase to the balcony- they even let you climb into the lantern room! The 360 view at the tip of Key Biscayne stretches from downtown Miami to Homestead, & offshore to the stilt houses was beautiful. No charge other than the $8 per car entrance fee. There were 2 rangers when we were there, one to monitor the lighthouse (only a few up at a time, with a 10 minute limit) and one for the reconstructed keepers house. Well worth the money, and access to the beach as well.

Drove from Fort Lauderdale to Key Biscayne to visit the Lighthouse.
It was a 45 Minute drive, 38 miles (61 Km)

After 109 steps (95') could only conclude that the views were spectacular...
Certainly worth visiting and worth climbing up!
On a clear day you can easily see Miami and the coast line!
Look at the great picture opportunities (attached).
Enjoy as much as I did!
Jorge

Visiting the Cape Florida Lighthouse and surrounding area exceeded my expectations. I visited early on a Monday which was ideal as I avoided huge crowds. The view from the top of the lighthouse was amazing and the lighthouse attendant was very friendly. There is a beach by the lighthouse where you can rent an umbrella and lounger for $20 but further away from the lighthouse I found an almost empty beach where you can take your own umbrella/chair/lounger. The scenery was beautiful, the beach was clean, there are plenty of parking spaces and a cafe where you can eat and drink for surprisingly cheap prices. This is well worth the $8 entrance fee to the Bill Baggs Cape Florida Park.

I seem to find myself at the lighthouse every time I am in the area. This time I convinced coworkers to check it out before our flight out of MIA. The climb to the top isn't to difficult and gives some nice views. The beach below is also a nice place to relax.

Easy to get to. Nice lighthouse. Easy climb to top for gorgeous views of beach and Miami skyline. There is a toll on the causeway and a modest fee for park entry.

Lots of stairs, but view is great. Wey had small children and they enjoyed it. It is a Miami landmark.

Great view of Biscayne from the top of the light house. Not good to climb if you are unfit or do not like confined spaces. Also at the top it is very open so don't take any children that are hyper active as they can easily climb over the side and there are no safety nets. OK Health and Safety out of the way....this is a historic place to visit and there are some good photo opportunities on the way up through the large quaint windows. At the top you have a 360 degree view and can see Miami South Beach in the distance. This is a must for people who love lighthouses, high places and the wind in your hair.

A pleasant thing to do beside walk the oceanfront. We drove down there to see this specifically and do something less touristy apart from Miami.

It’s not currently open and pretty blocked off. Not something I’d recommend to go specifically for. Nice quiet beach area

Some days the park service opens up the light House to visitors. Spectacular view from the top. The lighthouse cafe nearby is a good lunch stop.

The beach usually has calm waters but the current can be strong at times.

We entered this park ,paid the fee as the lighthouse was advertised as being open from 9-5. However, actual access to the structure and keeper's cabin was limited to 2 times a day (and not on Tues or Wed) and if you miss one of the times (you find out about when you get there) you are out of luck. Be on time (but what time is the question) or save your $8.

Get ready for the 109 step climb to the top and catch an incredible view. The lighthouse and Keepers House are part of Florida's history and the rangers and volunteers made our visit fun and informative. A great break from the busy Miami area.
We did not have time to check out much of the state park where the lighthouse is located but the beaches were clean and there was a small cafe on sight.

Nice walk to get there and you pay admission into the surrounding park. You can only go into the light house around 10 AM or around 1PM (PLEASE NOTE Im not quite sure abaout the timing). The little light house house is open in the park times. You can either walk or drive to it.

The light house is a great walk to get to - also it is open on certain days of the week (I think it is closed Tues&Wed) where you can walk to the top of it and see spectacular views of Miami and the ocean. A great place for a date/picnic with a loved one!

Love the history of the Cape Florida Lighthouse. The area is very lush with native plants. We enjoyed seeing the birds and other animals in the area. Looking out a water is very pleasant.

Cape Florida Lighthouse is a must to see and if you are there you should climb to the top. The view was nice and it was so calm.

The Cape Florida Lighthouse is situated in Key Biscayne Park, Southern Miami, very easy to reach from Miami. The ticket to the park cost 8 USD, so you can enjoy the full day stay in this beautiful place, going to the beach or climbing the Lighthouse.
Unic experience and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay from atop the historic 1825 Cape Florida Lighthouse. It takes 109 steps to reach the top.
Bill Baggs Cape State Park / Key Biscayne Lighthouse, FL - that's what you can tell to your GPS Navigator to bring you there :)
Currently ranked #7 on the list of “Top 10 Beaches in America”, the Cape Florida Light is a Lighthouse on Cape Florida at the south end of Key Biscayne in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Constructed in 1825, it guided mariners off the Florida Reef. Great story, great climbing and the great place to be!

Went here expecting much more to do. All there is here to do is the beach and walk up the lighthouse. I thought we would be able to ride bikes around , but there isn’t a bike path or anywhere really to ride around. If you do the beach you need to bring all of your own stuff. We are staying at a hotel so we don’t have chairs, umbrella etc. there is a cafe but it’s not much. It looks more like a cafeteria so we didn’t bother eating there. It took us all of a half hour and we left We can say we did it and saw it, but that’s it.

We did a bike ride from our hotel to the park with this light house in it. They've only open 2 hours each day!! On the plaques outside it they brag about renovating it, etc., yet they're only open 2 hours a day? Doesn't make much sense. We were shooed out by the park employee who said it was opened accidentally and past the time it was supposed to be open. At any rate, don't waste your time going.

Awesome lighthouse the view from the outside is amazing. No tours on Tuesday or Wednesday though. Wish we would have known that before going.

Tours are offered twice a day on Thursday - Monday at 10 AM and 1 PM. A park ranger meets you at a gathering area near the lighthouse and gives a brief history of the lighthouse. You then walk to the lighthouse and the ranger allows 8-10 people at a time to climb up to the lantern room. Unfortunately it is hard to see very much from the lantern room because the glass was replaced with Lexan a few years ago and all the blowing sand has etched the windows and made them cloudy. But you get a great view from the balcony just below the lantern room.

I live in Miami and for me this is the best alternative to the madness, overpriced parking, loud careless people in South Beach. The park entrance is $8 dollars the views are magnificent, relax people like myself, no loud music and it's great for BBQ'S. Mixed crowd very few tourist which is a plus

If you visit the park, you must do a lighthouse tour. 10-11 and 1-2 are the times available to go up to the top. What history! What views! Well worth checking this out, don't forget your camera.

The entire facility is very nice and in a tiptop condition.
But now comes the sticking point: pay attention to the opening hours!
The grounds are open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
But the lighthouse will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday!

The beach seems to be pretty popular.
When we were there, however, we saw a large amount of sargassum and seaweed.
We were also surprised by the purple flag, which points to the presence of dangerous marine life. And indeed: We found a Portuguese men-of-war on the beach!

Follow the link in our Profile Page to see a video from Key Biscayne!

The Cape Florida Lighthouse is one of the oldest lighthouses in Florida and the oldest structure in Miami-Dade County. Located at 1200 Crandon Boulevard in Ken Biscayne, in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, at the south end of Key Biscayne, it is a standing time capsule with nearly 200 years of history. Constructed in 1825, it guided mariners off the Florida Reef, which starts near Key Biscayne and extends southward a few miles offshore of the Florida Keys. In 1878, it was replaced by the Fowey Rocks Lighthouse, put back into use in 1978 by the U.S. Coast Guard to mark the Florida Channel, the deepest natural channel into Biscayne Bay, decommissioned in 1990, then relit in 1996. The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. To enter, visitors must join one of the tours from 10 to 1 on Thursday through Monday and walk up 109 steps to the top. From there, you get spectacular views of Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Also visit the museum, a 1995-1996 project of the Dade County Historical Society, which installed a replica of the keeper's quarters to give visitors a sense of the maritime history of Florida. In 2004, a sign was installed in the park to commemorate the site as part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Trail for the escape of hundreds of slaves and Black Seminole Indians to the Bahamas in the 19th century.

A nice walk to the property of a small house and a beautiful lighthouse. We got to walk up all the stairs inside it too. I took a pic from one of the windows from the top of it . Which you will see in this review

Loved walking to the lighthouse. We walked the shoreline not even realizing there was a lighthouse so we entered backwards. We saw lots of rock iguanas and the history of the area. Unfortunately the lighthouse was closed to enter so we will definitely have to return someday. There is so much to see. We enjoyed the park after we walked the palm tree tunnel
From the lighthouse. Beautiful area beautiful park. We are at boaters grill! A must do as well.

Beautiful,stunning structure protruding into the clear blue sky. Located right not the shore, overlooking the ocean...
I was lucky to have had a beautiful view of a rainbow, clear ocean view and a slight wind to cool off the sun's heat. Just a beautiful place to visit and meditate during sunset...

Great setting either from the park standpoint or from the beach. Beach photos are best in the morning light. Lighthouse grounds also close early at 4:00 pm so plan accordingly. It is possible to see the lighthouse after hours from the water side by walking around the seawall side of the park but it will be viewed through a security fence.

Such a lovely place to relax and unwind with family and friends. I had a good walk under the tall trees along the pathway going to the lighthouse. Few more steps at the back of the lighthouse is the beach. Had fun walking too on the white sand at the beach on a cool Saturday afternoon.

So there was a little bit of a wait to climb the lighthouse as you can only have a certain number of people at the top at any one time. After about a 15 minute wait we were able to climb the 101 steps up the spiral staircase to the top. The view is amazing and you get a great view of downtown Miami, South Beach, and just the beautiful water overall. You probably will not want to stay up there very long. Warning it is hard work getting to the top, and there is very little room at the top once you get up there. However it is free to get in and there aren’t many things that are free in Miami so that was a nice surprise. Next time we will look at the lighthouse keepers cottage we did not have time today.

Inside the Baggs state park in Key Biscayne, you find the lighthouse which provides some of the history of this secluded place. You can visit the actual lighthouse as well as a small home that was used many years ago by the lighthouse “guardian”. It’s worth a visit & you can take advantage of the visit to walk around, rent a bike, do some jogging & even eat at the restaurant inside the park.

We really led climbing the lighthouse and taking in all the history. There is a good video as well as many plaques. It is all well done. Lighthouse is free with 8$ per car admission to park.

If you like lighthouses, then you need to tour this one. Beautiful views from the top. Great history shared by the state park guides. Consistently one of the Top 10 Beaches in the U.S. Spend a whole days here.

The lighthouse makes for an interesting visit while staying at Crandon Park. You can take the stairs to the top and also walk around the grounds for some interesting history. When done, visit the Lighthouse Cafe for some good food and drink.

It’s a hidden gem in Key Biscayne! I’ve never visited a lighthouse in its interior before. The place is very well preserved, staff is friendly and keen to explain everything. There are 105 steps and a great view when you get to the top.

The setting, right next to a beautiful beach and a romantic light house, is quite superior to the rather average and somewhat mediocre food...

great place to ride a bike, take a hike, or go for a job. go to the lighthouse and enjoy the view. also a place in the park, on the lagoon, where you can grab a bite

Visit this place if you can, well worth it.$8 per car to get into the park, access to beaches, picnic areas, walks and cycle rides, 2 eating places near by. Park is open 8am till sunset everyday.
But most all this great lighthouse over looking the sea towards the Keys, or back toward Miami.
Lighthouse is only open at certain times so you may wish to check online before your visit.
Next to the lighthouse is the old lighthouse keepers house, restored to its glory.
Stand still awhile you may imagine what it was like in the early 1800,s and the people who lived and worked here.

A nice walk on the shore away from the chaos of South Beach. It’s an easy drive, the park rangers are very nice, but I did not see much in the way of wildlife.

Had a short wait but was worth the wait for the view from the top, great ocean and city pictures were taken. Has some interesting history was glad we took the time to visit this landmark.

I was staying at the Ritz on the island and walked over here (2.5 miles). A nice walk to the lighthouse, and up it. Got some great pics at the top.

Nice beach area with showers and bathrooms. The restaurant is even good. Beautiful clear beaches. There are a lot of iguanas around. Getting a picture is hard.The lighthouse is nice but the beach is better.

Very nice walk and waterfront views. Did not climb into lighthouse, was a 90+ degree day.
Happy we went prior to beach next door.

Lineup of cars toget into park. Nice beach and short walk to lighthouse. If opened take a tour which can be very informative

Visited this Cape and got to read and find out all about the Lighthouse. We had a Great Time Seeing the Park, We enjoyed a Great Dinner and go to see the Sunset

Key Biscayne is a beautiful city, but this experience was extraordinary. If you're from Florida and think that south beach is a beautiful view, you NEED to visit key Biscayne. It's great for outdoor activities and exploring. I can't wait to go back for next spring break.

Unique experience in this paradisiac place. Go to the tip of Key Byscaine, and claimb the stairs to have one of the best views in SFL.

This is a great lighthouse to visit while in the Miami area. It is easily accessible on the state park portion of Key Biscayne and the cost is $8 to enter the park. The history of the lighthouse is interestingly told twice daily when the lighthouse is opened allowing people to make the trek to the top. I highly recommend!

On our bicycle trip around the south end of Key Biscayne, which is called Cape Florida, and is in a little state park, we spent some time checking out this old restored lighthouse. Very interesting, nice views from the top, and a video to give you the history. We struck up a conversation with the ranger, who was full of interesting stories. You should visit if you are in the area.

Rode bike through the state park to visit the lighthouse and park. It was a really nice ride, and so much to see: iguanas, hermit crabs, beautiful birds and lots of history. My only complaint was that we couldn't climb the lighthouse. There are apparently set hours for when you can climb up the lighthouse- although we couldn't find these ANYWHERE on site.

The most disappointing time however was when the disgruntled park ranger came out of the lighthouse with a few folks and (despite the fact that we stood there with another group and lots of anxious little kids ready to climb), turned around and locked the door and grumbled over his shoulder "Tours over! Hour are listed. Should have checked the website!"

Nice to see history lessons but maybe State of Florida could do a little updating with information and employees!

If you love lighthouses, the one is beautiful. It's on the beach. The sandy area closest to the lighthouse seems to have the least amount of seaweed washed ashore. If you come here, plan to stay a couple of hours at the beach. The area closes at sundown, so plan accordingly. Parking is $8 for the area.

We went during spring break, so I guess it was waaay more crowded than usual.
The views are great for pictures, water is not deep so good for families with little kids. Sand is white and fine.. more Caribbean style.

You get charged 8 dlls per car or 4 per person per day.
It has a picnic area for bbq or small gatherings.

Recommended for people who live nearby, but personally had higher expectations :)

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It was a great historical lighthouse...yet the hours can be quite crazy...And they only have tours twice a day! Beautiful views!

The Cape Florida Lighthouse, built in 1825, is a small historic jewel worthy of a visit. Located in a lovely park it also allows a beautiful view from the top. I live inKey Biscayne, a 15 minute bicycle ride to the Lighthouse and love to take my house guests for a visit.

I recently travelled over to the area to capture the Lighthouse at Sunset. Beautiful beach area that is available for weddings. Lots of room to hike or take a walk, fishing and picnic at the park. I saw many photographers taking pictures as well. I arrived late in the day and the ranger let me. They close at sunset. A must day visit while in Miami. The drive over was pretty as well.

We didn’t have time to do the tour but we walked over to the lighthouse from the beach area. It is very beautiful and a sight to behold.

Nice lighthouse with gorgeous views over the ocean and into Miami. Entrance is free and you can walk around the lighthouse on the outside on the top.

There is not much to do on Key Biscayne but enjoy the sunshine. The lighthouse is in the state park and easy to find. It was sunday and alot of people were enjoying the park, cooking out and walking around and enjoying the waterfront. Probably can be crowded at peak summer season. By the way, you can't go up in the lighthouse. It's a working lighthouse, fenced in and just something to look at.

Worth the trip! Nice to get a little history lesson, be able to climb the steps inside, and get rewarded with gorgeous views from the walkway around the top. Took me a minute to be able to step out, then walk around the tower; it's a bit narrow but I finally managed to do it. So glad I did. We went to relax on the beach afterward and just enjoyed the day.

As you can expect from a lighthouse it isn't very spectacular but this one is nice to see. A long path lined with trees leads you to the lighthouse. You'll pass an old lighthouse top on the way up.

Climbing the lighthouse is free but has a minimum height restriction for kids. Next to the lighthouse there's an historic house where you can see how they lived back in the time the light house was being used.

You'll get some nice photo opportunities, there's no beach directly next to the light house.

To get here you'll need to pay a fee to get in the park where the lighthouse is. There are many pick nick areas and beaches to enjoy too.

Could not walk around the lighthouse because families were camped out, taking over the area and fishing. Lots of inconsiderate people and lots of mosquitoes.
Lighthouse was locked. Only open from 11am - 1pm.

This is a completely restored lighthouse fro the 19th century. It has a rebuilt cottage where the lighthouse keeper lived as well as an 18 minute video on its history and reconstruction. The climb to the top (nineteen steps on a circular staircase) offers excellent views all around.

The guided tour hours are very limited but you can still do a self guided tour, that is if you can even get through. We encountered no less than 3 separate engagement/wedding photographers in the very small area. We kept wanting to pose for our own pictures and were told to move more than once. We ended up leaving because all we could do was stand around looking at the light house. There should be special hours for these types of projects. It was quite annoying and here we were thinking we'd be fine because we went there on a random weekday after tour hours hoping to avoid crowds. No such luck.

We had a really delightful visit at this lighthouse yesterday. The entry fee to the state park is reasonable. Parking is ample, and the trails to the lighthouse are easy to traverse. On the day that we were there the tower was only open to climb from 11-1 & 2-3, so be aware that if you plan to climb the open hours of the park may well vary from the climbing hours.

I have been all across the state for 40 years and finally made it here. Location is so great. $8 to enter the park and then dirt and garbage across the beach. Paper, plastics and stuff which had been there for days. There are so many garbage cans at the beach, every 30 yards but seemingly empty. Location is so nice and access so easy but I have yet anywhere in Florida to see such a disappointing beach.

Very very hot walk - bring water - but worth the time to visit. Walk past the lighthouse to see the keeper house and read about the historical importance of this location to the Underground Railroad. Great view from the top but very close quarters. They limit number of people climbing.

This is truly a treasure not to be missed if you are either visiting or a local. This place is great especially once on top, the view is amazing.

You have to pay $8 to park inside the premisses, but i is worth it! Beautiful and clean beach, and a very cute lighthouse! Climb the 109 steps to get a look of the bay and take great pictures.

Touring the lighthouse presents some great ocean views south towards Key West. The center has a lot of history and includes the keepers house as well. Beware of the mosquitos though!!

The area and the lighthouse was amazing. A lot of history here. They have places to stop and read facts and history; along with old things from the original lighthouse. We did with to small children and walked the area. We did not tour the lighthouse inside.

I've never been on top of a light house, and when i learned we can go on top of it, we moved our plan a bit to accommodate it. It was sooo worth it. The light house tours are from 10-11, and 1-2PM and it is free! There is a tour but we decided to see it ourselves. I liked the fact that there is a guard who lets only certain number of people inside at a point of time. This ensures the top of the light house is not crowded. There are 109 steps, which is an easy climb. The view from windows is awesome. The view from top is amazing, Miami skyline on one side and turquoise Atlantic on the other. There is a light house keeper's quarters nearby as well.

We stopped by Key Biscayne and went to the state park. It’s a family friendly place; we saw people fishing, walking, biking and enjoying the outdoors.

This is a great park at the end of the key. We rented a golf cart and drove to the end with a stop at the lighthouse. the actual lighthouse was closed the day we went so check the schedule. There is an old lightkeeper's house and other cool things for the kids to see. Then go to the beach!

Great views and Scenery at this Lighthouse on the Beach. Tours are only available Thurs.-Mon. At 10am and 1pm. Its 110 steps to the top. You can actually feel the steps move if multiple people are walking up. The viewing platform is not wide, so if multiple people are there, youll need to maneuver around them. The views are awesome. I reccomend walking down the beach and getting pictures from the beach. Thank You Bill Bags for helping make this a State Park instead of Condos. Levy the park Ranger informed us that this is the most visited State Park.

I'm not big on sightseeing or ventures of the scenic nature, but this was worth it and then some. Everything about this area of the planet exceeded expectations and made for a wonderful trip (except mosquitos). I can't say any more than GO!

Stoped in to see the lighthouse and take a little walk. It was closed the day we were there but we still got to walk around the area and take in the view. Nice piece of history.

Well worth the challenging climb up circular staircase. From the viewing balcony one can see all of Key Biscayne, the bay, beautiful color variations in the Atlantic, Stiltsville, downtown Miami and even South Beach!

A beautiful site to see, this historic lighthouse. It will definitely take you back in time ... great photo op ...

Enjoyed a nice bike ride through cape Florida state park to view the lighthouse. A really enjoyable excursion

Beautiful view & we were able to climb the lighthouse for free. We also got an amazing surprise when we saw a manatee from the observation deck!

Good place to go to for a walk, stare at the ocean and take pictures. The lighthouse was closed the day we went but was still neat to look at. I would go back for sure but Id want to make sure its open first. Bring your walking shoes!

The lighthouse tours are closed on windy and rainy days, also closed for tours up on Tuesday and Wednesdays.

It’s probably the best lighthouse in Florida, and we’ve been to key west, Jupiter, voluisa county, and Amelia island that come to mind.

Park rangers keep their distance.
Beaches near by, concession bike rentals and easy parking.

You have to pay a free to enter the park but the lighthouse is included.

Well there some amateurish playboy photographers where shooting a model by the lighthouse but quickly covered up.

Beautiful setting. The waiters are polite and friendly. The food takes at least 45-50 mins to arrive. Ordered the grouper which was over cooked and quite tough. The rice and plantains that came with it were tasty. My husband ordered a salad which was quite dry and lacking dressing. Many other customers were complaining about the delay in service.

The park is very nice and clean. There are public bbqs available. Lighthouse is very nice. The beach itself is nice however I perefere Miami Beach. Entrance is $8 per vehicle.

I love every lighthouse so my review is probably a little bias. This lighthouse is easily located (inside Bill Baggs State Park). There is plenty of parking and you can climb the lighthouse for an awesome view. There were volunteers on duty to tell you about the lighthouse itself and the keeper's house. There is a short video to watch as well and the keeper's house is air-conditioned. We took lots of pictures and enjoyed our visiit and the views both from atop and below.

Stephen did a great job explaining the history of the lighthouse and the area surrounding it. We got to go all the way up to the bulb itself. Additionally got to see the replica of the keeper's quarters and a marker for the Bermuda Triangle. Cool place.

The family wandered upon this lovely place sight seeing before our Bahama cruise. The sight up top the tower was super nice. Couldn't take enough pictures of the different views from all the different directions when up there. If you have a little bit of time to kill find this place, it's pretty spectacular.

It was quite a lot of people on a weekday. I passed by when doing my morning run. Seems to be popular with local tourist but I didn't go up there myself

We went as a family to the beach here and it was wonderful. Too many people to go up into the lighthouse but loved just hanging out at the beach.

It is real and authentic. For a relatively new place like Miami this is one of the only truly historic places to experience.

The lighthouse had a beautiful trail at the entrance. There are several historical markers to teach you a little history of Key Biscayne. The water views are just amazing. Be prepared to take a lot of pics!!!

My family and I traveled an hour to go to this lighthouse only to find out it was not open on Tues and Wed for "cleaning and restoration". We did not find this information on the web sites we looked at so we were disappointed. We did not see anyone in the area doing any cleaning or restoring, either. No one was there to give us any information on the lighthouse or its grounds. We did like the replicas they had on the grounds to show the insides up close.

If you are anywhere near Key Biscayne, make sure to visit the Cape Florida lighthouse. There are visits at 10.00am and 01.00pm except Tuesdays and Wednesdays and meet the friendly rangers and volunteers at the canopy at the parking area. Once you climb up the lighthouse you will get some great views and don’t miss the lighthouse keeper’s house as well.

I love climbing to the top of light houses so of course I enjoyed this site. But the views here were stunning. We traveled here on bikes which was a blast. We also hit the beach after going up in the lighthouse. Lovely beach. Apparently there are guided tours here too but we did not make it for that. The lighthouse was open anyway to the public.

Miami's way one day we went to Key Biscayne Island. We hoped to see the manatees but they did not show up. Up to the lighthouse had long swaying stairs but we survived. Views from the lighthouse is just awesome.

Its a nice lighthouse, with a nice view of the ocean next to it and a walkthrough of a small cabin next it. There's a few plaques which give a history of the lighthouse and conservation efforts. It's a nice stop but don't expect it to be more than it is.

Truly a historical site with a tragic tale surrounded by ample parking, picnic areas, beautiful beaches and scenery.

Very relaxing. away from crowds. Away from the busy life. Enjoy Mother Nature. Beautiful view especially from up in the lighthouse.

We had a wonderful time. What a view crib the top. We saw sharks and dolphins. Breathtaking. Friendly staff

Beautiful beach area, interesting history, and awesome setting!!! Wife and I rode bikes around the surrounding lighthouse area, and spend half of a beautiful day experiencing this special place.

The light house was like closed yesterday or I could not find how to enter. The place looks well maintained and beautiful for the scenery surrounding it.

We climbed to the top twice in 1.5 months. The view from there is breathtaking. Learned lots of history too. Stairs are actually pretty easy.