Top lighthouses
LighthouseAloha Tower
LighthouseDiamond Head Light
LighthouseBarbers Point Light
LighthouseLahaina Lighthouse
LighthouseDaniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Point Lighthouse
LighthouseMakapuu Point Light
LighthouseMoloka'i Light
LighthouseCape Kumukahi Light
LighthouseLehua Rock Lighthouse
LighthouseKauhola Point Light
LighthouseNinini Point Lighthouse
LighthouseMahukona Lighthouse
Lighthouses by county
All lighthouses (22)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aloha Tower | Honolulu County | 10 m | Financial District | 9 |
| Diamond Head Light | Honolulu County | 148 m | Diamond Head | 8 |
| Barbers Point Light | Honolulu County | 8 m | Kalaeloa-Campbell Industrial Park | 7 |
| Lahaina Lighthouse | Maui County | — | Lahaina | 5 |
| Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Point Lighthouse | Kauai County | — | Kīlauea | 4 |
| Makapuu Point Light | Honolulu County | — | Kalama Valley | 6 |
| Moloka'i Light | Kalawao County | — | Kualapu‘u | 3 |
| Cape Kumukahi Light | Hawaii County | — | Nanawale Estates | 3 |
| Lehua Rock Lighthouse | Kauai County | — | Kekaha | 1 |
| Kauhola Point Light | Hawaii County | — | Kapaau | 2 |
| Ninini Point Lighthouse | Kauai County | — | Lihue | 4 |
| Mahukona Lighthouse | Hawaii County | — | Hāwī | 2 |
| Kilauea Lighthouse | Kauai County | 53 m | Kīlauea | 4 |
| Moloka‘i Lighthouse | Maui County | 20 m | Kualapu‘u | 3 |
| Napo‘opo‘o Lighthouse | Hawaii County | 1 m | Captain Cook | 4 |
| Honolulu Entrance Channel Range Front | Honolulu County | 9 m | Financial District | 9 |
| Honolulu Entrance Channel Range Rear | Honolulu County | 10 m | Financial District | 9 |
| Honolulu Harbor Light (historical) | Honolulu County | 4 m | Downtown | 9 |
| Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse | Honolulu County | — | Marine Corps Base Hawaii - MCBH | 3 |
| Pauwela Lighthouse | Maui County | — | Haiku-Pauwela | 5 |
| Ka‘ena Point Lighthouse | Honolulu County | — | Makua Valley | 4 |
| Kailua Lighthouse | Hawaii County | — | Kailua-Kona | 5 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph lighthouses
Lighthouses work at both ends of the day: blue hour when the beacon is lit, and golden hour when white towers take on warm tones.
- During blue hour, use 5–15 second exposures to capture the beam; check whether the light is still active.
- Shoot from the beach or a jetty to place the tower against open sky and sea.
- Stormy weather and crashing surf add drama; keep a safe distance from waves on rocks and piers.
- A telephoto from across a bay compresses the tower against cliffs or the moon.
- Many lighthouses are on private or Coast Guard property — check public access and opening hours.
Season: Summer brings open towers and tours; autumn and winter offer storms, fewer crowds and lower sun angles.