Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse
Iconic Florida lighthouse offering breathtaking views and maritime history via limited boat tours.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Experience the lighthouse up close
Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse
Best Time
Experience the lighthouse up close
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Iconic Florida lighthouse offering breathtaking views and maritime history via limited boat tours.
"The view from the top is absolutely gorgeous...that blue water!!"
🎟️ Book Tours Early
Tours are limited & sell out fast! Check the official website for dates & tickets.
⏰ Prepare for Waits
Expect a 2-hour wait for the boat tour. Bring snacks & water!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Climb to the Top
Lighthouse tower
Ascend the historic tower for breathtaking panoramic views of the coastline and the Atlantic Ocean.
The Powerful Beam
Lighthouse lantern room
Witness the impressive Fresnel lens, once the most powerful light in Florida, and learn about its history.
Museum & Marina
Inlet across from lighthouse
Explore the small but informative museum and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Sands Harbor Resort & Marina.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Tour Access is Key
Plan for the Wait
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎟️ Book Tours Early
Tours are limited & sell out fast! Check the official website for dates & tickets.
⏰ Prepare for Waits
Expect a 2-hour wait for the boat tour. Bring snacks & water!
🚗 Parking Info
Park at Sands Harbor Resort & Marina (app payment). Follow signs to the tour tent.
👟 Comfortable Shoes
You'll be climbing stairs, so wear comfy shoes for the ascent.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎟️ Book Tours Early
Tours are limited & sell out fast! Check the official website for dates & tickets.
⏰ Prepare for Waits
Expect a 2-hour wait for the boat tour. Bring snacks & water!
🚗 Parking Info
Park at Sands Harbor Resort & Marina (app payment). Follow signs to the tour tent.
👟 Comfortable Shoes
You'll be climbing stairs, so wear comfy shoes for the ascent.
📸 Photo Ops
Great photo spots from the beach or marina, even if not on a tour.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the stunning views from the top of the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse and the historical significance of the structure. The boat ride to the lighthouse is also a highlight. However, the limited tour schedule and potential for long waits are common drawbacks, requiring significant advance planning.
"First and foremost, this lighthouse is not available to just randomly visit. You must go on the lighthouse tour that is held one Saturday a month. Please make sure you visit their website for more information on the tours. The tours are put on by volunteers. I paid $35 for my ticket and felt that was fair. This is the 7th lighthouse that I've climbed and I'm trying to get that number higher, so I'll pay any amount to be able to visit!
I visited on April 12th, 2025. I drove down from Orlando and arrived around 11am. I parked in the public parking lot across from Sands Harbor Resort & Marina. You pay for parking on an app on your phone. I used the cross walk to walk across the road and you can either enter the main doors of the resort, or walk to the right side where you will see cars parked for valet parking. There will be a gated entrance that you can go through and then on the dock you'll see the tent for the lighthouse, to the right, and volunteers there to help you. There is also a taxi boat that picks up passengers in the same location.
There was a 2 hour wait to go to the lighthouse. The boat can carry 50 passengers, so it was a busy day for them. I didn't mind waiting, as I had nothing else to do and didn't want to lose my parking spot. There is a restaurant at the marina if you get hungry.
The boat road over was great and relaxing. Any climb up a lighthouse is going to feel a little difficult but it was nice that they limited the number of people that went inside at one time to ensure that it wasn't crowded. The view from the top is absolutely gorgeous...that blue water!! All of the volunteers I spoke with were nice and helpful. There is a little gift shop table where you can get a souvenir before getting back on the boat to head back to the marina. The time spent at the lighthouse was an hour and the boat ride took 40 minutes round trip."
Lauren
"We were unable to tour the lighthouse as there is only 1 tour boat per month. You cannot drive to the lighthouse because it sits on gated private property.
The museum is on the inlet across from the lighthouse. Small but very interesting and informative. The volunteers are very well informed and wonderful to talk to. A must visit if your in Pompano beach Florida."
Karen Buchanan
"Stunning views and history. Safe and clean to all who visit"
Kyriakos Moforis
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You cannot drive directly to the lighthouse as it's on private property. Access is exclusively via boat tour departing from Sands Harbor Resort & Marina. Park at the resort and follow signs for the lighthouse tour tent.
While there isn't direct public transport to the lighthouse itself, you can reach the Pompano Beach area via local buses and then potentially walk or take a short ride to the marina for the tour.
You can walk along the beach from Pompano Beach, which offers great views and photo opportunities of the lighthouse from a distance, but you cannot access the lighthouse itself without the official boat tour.
The recommended parking is at Sands Harbor Resort & Marina. You'll need to pay for parking, often via a mobile app. From there, follow the signs to the lighthouse tour departure point.
Yes, there is a taxi boat that picks up passengers for the lighthouse tour from the same location at Sands Harbor Resort & Marina.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Tickets must be purchased in advance through the Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society website. Tours are limited and often held only once a month, so booking early is crucial.
Tour prices can vary, but visitors have reported paying around $35 per ticket, which is considered fair for the experience of climbing the lighthouse and taking the boat ride.
Tours are not daily. They are typically held on specific Saturdays once a month. It's essential to check the official Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society website for the most up-to-date tour schedule and availability.
No, direct access to the lighthouse is not permitted. You must be part of an official tour, which includes a boat ride to the island where the lighthouse is located.
A tour ticket typically includes the boat ride to and from the lighthouse, access to climb the lighthouse tower, and time to explore the grounds. Some tours may also include a visit to the small museum.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The main attraction is climbing the historic lighthouse tower for incredible views. You can also visit the small museum and enjoy the coastal scenery.
The climb involves many stairs and can be physically demanding, as with most lighthouse climbs. However, they limit the number of people inside at once to make it manageable.
Restroom facilities are generally available at the marina before you depart on the boat tour. Information about facilities directly at the lighthouse site is less commonly mentioned, but the time spent there is usually around an hour.
While the surrounding area is beautiful coastal Florida, swimming directly at the lighthouse site might be restricted due to its location on private property and operational needs. The beach access mentioned is often near the lighthouse, not necessarily for swimming at the tower itself.
Yes, there is typically a small gift shop table where you can purchase souvenirs before heading back to the boat.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there is a restaurant at the Sands Harbor Resort & Marina where the tour departs, providing convenient options if you get hungry while waiting for your boat.
It's advisable to check the specific rules for the tour, but generally, bringing water and light snacks is acceptable, especially given the potential wait times.
Food is not typically sold at the lighthouse itself. It's best to eat before you go or at the marina.
📸 📸 Photography
Great photo opportunities exist from the beach, the marina, and of course, from the top of the lighthouse itself. Sunrise shots are particularly stunning.
Yes, photography is generally allowed inside the lighthouse during tours, allowing you to capture the historic architecture and the Fresnel lens.
While not always publicly advertised, some lighthouses have live camera feeds. Searching for 'Hillsboro Lighthouse cam' might yield results, though it's not a guaranteed feature. [SEO Keyword]
Sunrise and sunset offer the most dramatic lighting for photographing the lighthouse and the surrounding coastline.
Drone usage is typically restricted in sensitive areas like lighthouses and marinas due to safety and privacy concerns. It's best to assume drones are not permitted unless explicitly stated otherwise.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While the lighthouse itself is the main draw, the surrounding marina area also offers a pleasant atmosphere. Consider packing snacks and drinks, as options might be limited once you're on the boat or at the lighthouse. Booking tours in advance is crucial, especially for families, to secure a spot and avoid disappointment. The museum, though small, can offer some educational value about maritime history for curious young minds.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
The panoramic views from the top of the lighthouse are unparalleled, offering sweeping vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and the South Florida coastline – perfect for landscape shots. Beyond the lighthouse, the Sands Harbor Resort & Marina area provides a vibrant backdrop with boats and coastal activity. Even if you can't secure a tour spot, walking along the beach from Pompano Beach offers excellent vantage points for capturing the lighthouse from a distance.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The History and Significance of Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse
+1 Its construction and ongoing preservation are testaments to its importance in maritime history.The Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society plays a crucial role in maintaining this iconic beacon. They are responsible for organizing the limited tours that allow the public to experience the lighthouse firsthand. These tours are vital not only for visitor access but also for generating funds that support the ongoing preservation efforts. The society's dedication ensures that this piece of Florida's history continues to shine for generations to come.
Beyond its functional purpose, the lighthouse has become a symbol of the Pompano Beach and Hillsboro Beach areas. Its distinctive structure and powerful beam have captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike, making it a popular subject for photography and a must-see attraction for those interested in maritime heritage.
Navigating the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse Tour Experience
Upon arrival at the marina, expect a potential wait for the tour boat, which can carry up to 50 passengers. Visitors have reported waiting for as long as two hours during busy periods. To make the wait more comfortable, it's recommended to bring snacks, water, and perhaps a book. The marina itself offers amenities, including a restaurant, which can be a good place to pass the time.
Once at the lighthouse, the experience includes climbing the tower, which involves numerous stairs but rewards climbers with spectacular panoramic views. The time spent at the lighthouse is typically around an hour, allowing for exploration and photos before the return boat trip. A small gift shop is usually available for souvenirs.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit