The Caribbean may just be one of the most gorgeous places to visit, regardless of the season. With blue skies, azure seas, white, sandy beaches, as well as stunning landscapes, this sea has some of the most picturesque islands in the world. Whether you’re thinking of touring them atop a Caribbean motor yacht charter or just taking in everything a single island has to offer and focusing more on relaxing, you’ll get an unforgettable vacation out of it.
With the sheer number of islands on this sea, and the number of cities and ports on each of them, one particular type of landmark is abundant – lighthouses. These beacons have guided sailors for ages, providing much needed landmarks in the night or through fog.
Nowadays, technology may have advanced to the point that they’re no longer as necessary, but that doesn’t mean they’re not useful. They’ll still illuminate your way if you’re sailing past sundown, but there’s also no denying the fact that they’re an amazing sight in their own right. We’ve combined a list of some of the most beautiful lighthouses in the Caribbean for you to visit. Take a look at any one of them and marvel at their architectural brilliance.
Faro Los Morillos Lighthouse, Puerto Rico
“Faro” is the Spanish word for lighthouse, so be prepared to see it quite a lot throughout the list, considering how big a chunk of the Caribbean was colonized by Spaniards. They’re the ones who named Faro Los Morillos, located in gorgeous Puerto Rico. It was built in 1881 and has since helped guide sailors across the Isla de Mona passage. It is also an amazing sight to behold. With Playa Sucia, one of the most beautiful beaches in Puerto Rico, located very near, it hangs over sheer limestone cliffs. Its simple design blends it perfectly into this landscape, making it a true sight to behold.
South Point Lighthouse, Barbados
Some lighthouses are more understated, and it’s their simplicity that makes them so comforting for lighthouse watchers everywhere. The South Point Lighthouse in Barbados is one of those classic lighthouses. Brought to Barbados in 1852, one year after being shown at London’s Great Exhibition, it adorns the southernmost point of the island. While the lighthouse itself isn’t open to the public, you can freely tour its grounds.
Faro de Las Cabezas de San Juan, Puerto Rico
First lit in 1882, Faro de las Cabezas de San Juan is actually one of the most interesting lighthouses to see in Puerto Rico. For starters, it is located within the San Juan Nature Preserve, so you’ll be able to take in untouched flora and fauna as you come to visit the lighthouse. The bay is particularly beautiful past sundown, due to the bioluminescence of the organisms dwelling within. There’s more to Las Cabezas than just the natural beauty, though – it’s also interesting from a historical perspective. It played a crucial role in the Battle of Fajarado, as part of the Puerto Rican Campaign of the Spanish-American War in 1898. It’s not the tallest lighthouse, but it’s definitely pleasing to the eye, and you’re likely to notice how similar it is to its neighbors, such as the Arecibo Lighthouse.
Ragged Point Lighthouse, Barbados
Located on the easternmost point of Barbados, Ragged Point Lighthouse is a common tourist destination. It was built in 1875 and, unfortunately, it shows. The tower itself is in good condition, but the lighthouse buildings are sadly dilapidated. That doesn’t take away from the overall beauty of this structure, and if you want to check out an authentic structure from the era that hasn’t undergone renovation since then, Ragged Point is a great place to see.
Elbow Cay Lighthouse, Great Abaco, Bahamas
The Great Albaco lighthouse at Elbow Cay may not look like much at first glance. It’s nice enough, with its peppermint stripes, but it’s when you get inside that you can truly appreciate its splendor. It is one of the few Caribbean lighthouses to still be operated by hand, making it quite a unique beast in this day and age. A tour inside will give you not only a rundown on all of its historical significance, but you’ll also get to enjoy an incredible view from the top.
Negril Lighthouse, Jamaica
This one’s another lighthouse you can climb inside and take in the incredible views from. This time, it’s built on Jamaica, so you’ll get to enjoy some truly jaw-dropping views. Built in 1894, this lighthouse is 100 feet tall, with a wrap-around gallery that will provide you with some truly awesome backdrops for all your selfie needs.
Faro a Colón, Dominican Republic
Possibly one of the most unique-looking lighthouses out there, Faro a Colón defies all expectations by not resembling a tower. Instead, it takes the form of a gargantuan monument that outright dwarfs most other lighthouses. It is 680 feet tall and was constructed to resemble a Mayan temple. It’s also quite young, only being completed as late as 1992, but the interior is quite historically relevant. The mausoleum beneath the lighthouse contains the remains of none other than Christopher Columbus, whom the building is meant to immortalize.
California Lighthouse, Aruba
Finally, we have a more modest but no less eye-catching structure in the form of the California Lighthouse. Located on the northwestern edge of Aruba, the lighthouse was constructed in 1910, but it was renovated in 2016. It’s named after the steamship California that sunk just off the shore of Aruba in the 1800s. If you’re looking for a more secluded spot with a lot of nature to keep you company and little else, this is the place for you. The view from the lighthouse is basically just sea and rocky fields, with all traces of civilization being far, far away. It’s hard to find a more tranquil lighthouse in the Caribbean.
The Caribbean is simply teeming with islands,m and those islands all have picturesque islands of their own. Our list is really only a taste of what’s in store for you. If you’re a big fan of lighthouses, you’ll find a whole host of places to visit and marvel at. You can’t really go wrong with any of the places we listed – get out there and start exploring! Make some memories with these gorgeous lighthouses.