St. George Island Lighthouse Visitor’s Guide

The St. George Island Lighthouse also known as Cape St. George Light is 1 of 5 lighthouses you can visit in the Florida panhandle. The lighthouse restoration was complete in 2008, after the original structure was destroyed in 2005. If you are planning a visit to St. George Island the lighthouse is a must visit spot!

Cape St. George Lighthouse on a overcast day.

Where is it located?

The lighthouse is located on St. George Island at 2-B E Gulf Beach Dr. Eastpoint, FL 32328.

When is the St. George Island Lighthouse open?

The lighthouse has seasonal hours. For exact dates I recommend double checking the park website, but below are the hours based on season.

Spring/Summer Hours (March through July): Open daily
- Monday-Saturday: 10 AM to 5 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM to 5 PM
Fall Hours (August through October): Closed Thursdays
- Monday-Wednesday: 10 AM to 5 PM
- Friday-Saturday: 10 AM to 5 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM to 5 PM
Winter Hours (November through February): Closed Thursdays
- Friday-Wednesday: 12 PM to 5 PM

Can I climb the St. George Island Lighthouse?

Yes! The lighthouse tower is open for climbing. Climbers must be at least 40 inches tall. Closed-toed shoes are recommended.

View of the ocean from the top of the lighthouse.

How many steps to the top of the lighthouse?

There are 92 steps to reach the top of the lighthouse. The steps at the bottom are wide wooden steps that gradually get narrower as you reach the top. To reach the landing you must climb up a small ladder. The landing is enclosed and is not open like many of the other lighthouses. They did have a fan blowing at the top which made the heat much more tolerable when we visited in mid-May.

Large wooden steps at the bottom of the lighthouse.

Ladder you have to climb to reach the top of St. George Lighthouse.

Is there a fee to visit?

There is no fee to visit the lighthouse grounds and museum, but there is a small fee to climb the lighthouse.

Adults (age 13 and older): $5
Children (7 to 12 years): $5
Children (6 years and younger): No charge

Cape St. George Lighthouse museum entrance.

How long does it take to visit?

I would plan for around 1 hour to visit the St. George Island Lighthouse. Visiting time will vary depending on how much time you want to spend in the museum and if there is a wait to climb the lighthouse. We visited on a weekday when it was overcast and did not have to wait to climb.

Cape St. George Lighthouse museum display.

Selfie of me from the top of St. George Lighthouse with the ocean in the background.

Are there any special events?

Yes, there are full moon climbs held approximately once per month. The cost is $10 per person. Tickets are sold on site the day of the climb, and no advanced reservations are available. A 15-minute time slot is available for each group of climbers. More information can be found on the St. George Light website.

What else can I do on St. George Island?

Below are a few other ideas of things to do while you are on St. George Island.

Spend the day at Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park
Get donuts at Weber’s Little Donut Shop (cash only)
Enjoy a drink at the tiki bar at Blue Parrot
Rent bikes and explore the island
Hang out on the beach

A girl standing on the beach holding a coffee tumbler.

Is the St. George Island Lighthouse worth visiting?

Absolutely, in my opinion this is a must visit spot on St. George Island! The lighthouse offers 360 views of the island and is worth the small fee to climb to the top. We visited St. George Island as part of a 3-day road trip along Florida’s Forgotten Coast! If you are looking for more places to explore in Florida, be sure to subscribe to my e-mail list!