If you’re into ocean views and epic old towers with wild stories to tell, then this Georgia lighthouse road trip is totally calling your name.
We’re talking giant spiral staircases, crazy Civil War history and secret spots you can only see by boat.
Each stop along the way has its own feel, some are super tall, some are tiny, and one looks like it belongs in a fairytale.
So get ready for an awesome road trip full of cool coastal views, fun facts, and a whole lot of lighthouse love.
1. Tybee Island Light Station
The Tybee Island Light Station is a 145-foot black-and-white striped lighthouse located on the northeast tip of Tybee Island, just 25 minutes from downtown Savannah.
You can actually climb all 178 steps to the top for epic views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Savannah River, and even dolphins if you’re lucky.
First built in 1736 and rebuilt several times thanks to storms and wars, the current tower has been standing strong since 1867, making it one of the oldest and tallest lighthouses in the U.S. that’s still open to the public.
The original Fresnel lens from 1867 is still in use, and there’s a whole museum complex on site with historic keeper’s cottages to explore.
2. Cockspur Island Lighthouse
Just a few miles west of Tybee is the tiny but mighty Cockspur Island Lighthouse, standing just 46 feet tall on a little oyster shell-covered islet in the Savannah River.
You can’t go inside this one, but you can hike the 1.7-mile Lighthouse Trail in Fort Pulaski National Monument to get an awesome view up close.
Built in 1855 and shaped kind of like a stubby white candle, it was in the line of fire during the Civil War’s April 1862 bombardment of Fort Pulaski but remarkably sustained little to no damage.
It’s the smallest lighthouse on this Georgia road trip, but it’s packed with charm and history and yeah, it looks extra magical when the tide rolls in around its base.
3. Old Harbor Light (Savannah)
Next up is the Old Harbor Light in downtown Savannah, which isn’t your classic coastal lighthouse, in fact, it looks more like a street lamp.
It’s a cast-iron structure standing 25 feet tall, with its light positioned 77 feet above the river.
Perched in Emmet Park above River Street, this copper and iron beauty was built in 1858 to help guide cargo ships safely into port along the Savannah River.
You can’t climb it, but it’s super easy to visit since it’s right in the middle of the city, surrounded by Spanish moss and cobblestone charm.
It’s been lit again thanks to a restoration project, so now it glows at night just like it did back in the steamboat days.
4. Sapelo Lighthouse
Heading south to the barrier islands, you’ll find the candy-cane-striped Sapelo Lighthouse standing tall on Sapelo Island (a place you can only reach by ferry).
The lighthouse was originally built in 1820 and raised by 10 feet in the 1850s, with a fourth-order Fresnel lens installed in 1854.
It is the nation’s second-oldest brick lighthouse and the oldest surviving structure designed by Winslow Lewis.
You can climb the 77 steps to the top on guided tours, but you’ll need to plan ahead since access to the island is limited and only available with scheduled visits.
It’s painted with bold red and white stripes and the views from the top stretch all the way across the salt marshes and beyond.
5. St. Simons Island Lighthouse
Next on the road trip is the elegant St. Simons Island Lighthouse, a bright white, 104-foot-tall tower that’s been lighting up Georgia’s southern coast since 1872.
It’s one of the few lighthouses in the country where the keeper’s house is still standing and now it’s a super cool museum filled with old maritime gear and stories from the island’s past.
You can climb all 129 steps to the top for sweeping views of the Atlantic, the pier, and maybe even a shrimp boat or two cruising by.
The best part? It’s right in the heart of St. Simons, so after your climb, you can grab ice cream, stroll the beach, or search for the island’s famous tree spirits carved into old oaks.
6. Little Cumberland Island Lighthouse
Last but not least is the elusive Little Cumberland Island Lighthouse, tucked away on private land where no visitors are allowed but don’t worry, you can still catch a peek from the water.
This 60-foot brick lighthouse was built in 1838 and hasn’t been open to the public in over a century.
The best way to spot it is by hopping on a guided boat tour around Cumberland Island.
It hasn’t had a light in years, but the tower’s still standing proud, surrounded by untouched nature and wild horses just a few dunes away.
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