The Georgia coastline, which extends nearly one hundred miles between Florida and South Carolina, has a rich history in lighthouses. Three lighthouses are available for tours for the history enthusiast, and each has a long story to tell. Aside from the historical significance, each offers exceptional views of the low country and the Atlantic Ocean if you’re will make the climb. Here are the three lighthouses in Georgia that can be seen today. 

Tybee Island Lighthouse 

In the most northern area of the state is the Tybee Island Lighthouse-

The Tybee Island Lighthouse resides on the north end or a section of the island called North Beach. This lighthouse is the easiest to access because it provides ample parking and is situated just a short drive from downtown Savannah.

The original construction was completed in 1736; however, this is not the first erected structure on the island. A series of events led to the lighthouse being rebuilt several times. The need for reconstruction over the years was caused by many events, including a hurricane, rising sea levels, fires, and yes, even an earthquake that caused significant damage.  Tybee Island Lighthouse is one of those lighthouses in Georgia that will keep you coming back for more visits.

Plan your trip to the Tybee Island Lighthouse:

• How many steps do you have to climb to reach the top? 

The lighthouse consists of 178 steps.

• What is the cost of a ticket, and what does it include?

Children between the ages of 6 and 17 are $8.00.

Adults ranging between 18 and 61 are $10.00.

Kids five and under are admitted for free.

Coast Guard service members are free.

All other military are admitted for $8.00 with ID.

The ticket includes access to the lighthouse and the cottage and museum on its grounds.

• What are the visiting hours?

They are closed on Tuesday but open all other days between 9 AM and 4:30 PM. Check out the Tybee Island Lighthouse website for more details.

St. Simons Lighthouse 

A more centralized area of the state lies Saint Simons Island and its 104 foot high Saint Simons lighthouse.

The lighthouse is situated just steps away from the downtown area of Saint Simons Island. The area is a mix of residential homes, excellent restaurants, and local shops. Parking in the vicinity is readily available, and the family can enjoy a full day of entertainment centralized to the lighthouse. 

Built in 1810 the original lighthouse stood in place until 1862 when it was blown up by the Confederate Army to prevent it from turning over to the Union Army’s hands. The structure you can visit today was completed in 1872.

Plan your trip to the Saint Simons Island Lighthouse:

• How many steps do you have to climb to reach the top? 

The lighthouse consists of 129 steps.

• What is the cost of a ticket, and what does it include?

Children between the ages of 6 and 12 are $6.00.

Adults ranging between 18 and 61 are $12.00.

Kids five and under are admitted for free.

A $2.00 discount is offered to military members with a valid ID.

The ticket includes access to the lighthouse and the Keepers Dwelling on its grounds. See the lighthouse website for current information. 

• What are the visiting hours?

The lighthouse is open Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM, and Sunday’s from 12 PM to 5 PM.

Sapelo Island Lighthouse 

Again centralized to the state is Sapelo Island, here resides a 65-foot high lighthouse.

This lighthouse sits on an island that is only accessible by ferry. The ferry departs from Darien, Georgia, at the visitor center. Free parking is offered when you are purchasing tickets to visit Sapelo Island. 

Constructed in 1820, the original lighthouse was active between the years of its inception to 1905. In 1905 the Sapelo Island Lighthouse remained unused until 1988  when it was restored. The exterior of the structure is gorgeous as it contains red and white striped pattern. 

Plan your trip to the Sapelo Island Island Lighthouse:

How many steps do you have to climb to reach the top? 

The lighthouse consists of 77 steps.

• What is the cost of a ticket, and what does it include?

Children between the ages of 6 and 12 are $10.00.

Adults ranging between 1 and up are $13.00.

Kids five and under are admitted for free.

The ticket includes access to a ferry ride to and from the island in addition to the lighthouse and the oil house. Other historical sites are also found on the island, which is included in the fee. 

• What are the visiting hours?

This varies greatly depending on the time of the year and what size group you have when touring the island. For the most up to date information, visit the Sapelo Island Visitor Center website. 

Summary

These are the three lighthouses that are still able to be toured to this day in coastal Georgia. During your stay in the Lowcountry of Georgia, each can be visited because they are relatively close to each other. Plan that each would need a full day when scheduling your list of activities. Savannah is the largest city in proximity and offers an airport with daily flights to major cities. Explore the gorgeous coastline from up high in the historic lighthouses.