Top lighthouses
LighthouseEagle Bluff Light
LighthouseChambers Island Light
LighthouseCana Island Light
LighthousePeshtigo Reef Light
LighthousePilot Island Light
LighthousePottawatomie Light
LighthouseSherwood Point Light
LighthouseSturgeon Bay Canal Light
LighthouseSturgeon Bay Canal North Pierhead Light
LighthouseBaileys Harbor Light
LighthouseMinneapolis Shoal Light Station
LighthousePlum Island Range Lights
LighthousePlum Island Range rear light
LighthouseBaileys Harbor Range Front Light
LighthouseBaileys Harbor Range Rear Light
LighthousePlum Island Range front light
LighthouseBaileys Harbor Directional Light
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.