Texas Maritime Heritage
Texas lighthouses
Explore 5 Texas lighthouse and maritime landmark guides with access information, coastal history, maps, official sources, and nearby destinations.
Respect historic sites
Many lighthouse structures are protected historic resources. Follow posted rules and remain within designated visitor areas.
Confirm viewing access
Some lighthouses are open for tours, while others are view-only or reached by boat. Check current access before making the trip.
Plan for coastal conditions
Weather, tides, ferry schedules, restoration work, and seasonal operations can affect access. Verify conditions with the official operator.
Texas lighthouse visitor guides
Open a guide for ownership, public-access status, tower access, maritime context, official information, maps, and nearby Explore Texas destinations.
Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site
Port Isabel · Cameron County County · South Texas
Climb Texas' only lighthouse open to the public, visit the reconstructed keeper's cottage, and take in broad views across the Laguna Madre toward South Padre Island.
Halfmoon Reef Lighthouse
Port Lavaca · Calhoun County County · Gulf Coast
See a rare surviving Texas screw-pile lighthouse, relocated from Matagorda Bay and preserved beside the bayfront in Port Lavaca.
Bolivar Point Lighthouse
Port Bolivar · Galveston County County · Gulf Coast
View the distinctive black iron Bolivar Point Lighthouse, a privately owned survivor of Gulf storms and a landmark near the Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry landing.
Matagorda Island Lighthouse
Calhoun County County · Gulf Coast
Discover a remote 19th-century lighthouse on Matagorda Island, visible within a protected coastal landscape reached only through carefully planned water access.
Lydia Ann Lighthouse
Port Aransas · Aransas County County · Gulf Coast
View the historic Lydia Ann Lighthouse from the water near Aransas Pass, where the privately owned tower remains a prominent coastal landmark.
Texas lighthouse questions
Can visitors enter every Texas lighthouse?
No. Public access varies by lighthouse. Some sites allow interior or grounds access, while others can only be viewed from public areas or during special events. Review the individual guide and confirm current conditions before traveling.
Do Texas lighthouse visits require reservations?
Some lighthouse tours, boat trips, museums, or special-access events may require advance reservations. Availability can also depend on weather, restoration work, staffing, and seasonal schedules.
What should visitors check before a coastal lighthouse trip?
Confirm operating hours, access restrictions, ferry or boat schedules, parking, weather, admission, accessibility, and whether the tower or grounds are open. Coastal conditions can change quickly.