Anclote Key Lighthouse
The Anclote Keys Light is a lighthouse built in 1887 on Anclote Key, the largest of the Anclote Keys. It is a skeletal square pyramidal tower, painted brown, with a black lantern. After the lighthouse was automated in 1952 the tower and other buildings at the site were often vandalized, interfering with the operation of the light. The Coast Guard determined that the light was no longer needed and deactivated it in 1984. The site was eventually turned over to the State of Florida and added to Anclote Key Preserve State Park. As of 2003 the lighthouse has been restored and relighted using a reproduction fourth-order Fresnel lens. Anclote Key is accessible only by boat. Today the lighthouse is maintained as a historic structure.
The lighthouse is open for climbing during scheduled open houses that are run by the Friends of Anclote Key and during private tours, also run by the Friends of Anclote Key. Visitors can always walk up to the locked fence surrounding the lighthouse to get a close view on any given day from dawn to dusk.
When the lighthouse was decommissioned in 1984, vandals had their way with this old island sentry, defacing it with graffiti. The structure’s finish began to oxidize in the salty air of the island, leading to further destruction of the lighthouse.
In the early 1990s, Florida Park Service staff, along with the Gulf Island Alliance, reconstructed the lighthouse and returned it to its original state.
Today, a park ranger resides on the island watching over the old sentinel of the sea, just as it has watched over the countless vessels crossing its path.
The islands that make up Anclote Key State Park are renowned for their diversity and number of nesting shorebirds. On the Three Rooker Island large numbers of shorebirds nest in the summer. Species include American oystercatchers, royal and least terns, black skimmers and snowy and Wilson’s plovers. The adjacent waters are also an important feeding area for long-legged wading birds. At night, between the months of May and October, green and loggerhead sea turtles crawl from the gulf waters and lay their eggs on the beach.
Where it is:
Offshore of Tarpon Springs Florida
All the islands of Anclote Key State Park are important bird nesting, feeding, and resting areas. All the islands are accessible only by boat; there are no bridges or causeways leading to the islands.
These boat services provide access to the island.
Ferry service from the Sponge Docks to the South part of the island:
- http://odysseycruises.net (727) 934-0547
- http://www.spongeoramacruiselines.com (727) 365-8793
Ferry service from New Port Richey to the North part of the island:
- http://www.islandparadisecharters.com (877) 774-0589
- http://www.windsongcharters.com (727) 859-0213
Maps:
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.
GPS:
Location of Lighthouse: N 2810.020 W 08250.687
Cost:
Hours:
8 a.m. to sunset
Anclote Keys Lighthouse Photo Gallery
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More Photographic Destinations in Florida
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page.
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