Set at the entrance to beautiful bays and natural harbors, lighthouses have prevented ships from running aground for hundreds of years. Sadly, however, many of them have become redundant and been replaced by more effective onboard navigational systems.
The ones that remain are, for the most part, automated, and boast more powerful lights and lenses than the beacons used in the past. As they were designed to be visible, lighthouses often make for very distinctive landmarks: their shapes and colors stand out against the surrounding landscapes. Consequently, they make for some fantastic photo opportunities and are usually set in spectacular spots along rugged coastlines or overlooking wild seas.
1. Diamond Head Lighthouse, Hawaii, USA
Recognise this quaint little lighthouse? Diamond Head Lighthouse in Oahu, Hawaii was memorialised on a US postage stamp in 2007. Sitting on the southwestern edge of Diamond Head, a 3,520-foot (1,073 m) wide crater formed by a volcanic eruption 300,000 years ago, the lighthouse has stood guard over the coast since 1899, when it was built following two shipwrecks.
2. Fanad Lighthouse, Northern Ireland, UK
Standing at the end of an exposed rocky peninsula between Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay, Fanad Lighthouse has shone its light over this stretch of the Northern Irish coastline since 1817. The lighthouse’s conception sprang from tragic circumstances, however. In 1811, the HMS Saldanha sank just off the Fanad Peninsula, killing 254 people, so the structure was built to prevent future disasters.
3. Chania Lighthouse, Crete, Greece
First built in the 16th century when Crete was under Venetian occupation, the Chania Lighthouse that we can see today was rebuilt in 1838 when Crete was occupied by Egyptian troops who were supporting the Ottoman Empire. Located at the end of a long, narrow pier, with its characteristic minaret and illuminated tower, the lighthouse casts a stunning silhouette against the sunset.
4. Low Lighthouse, England, UK
Located on the northern edge of Burnham-on Sea, the Low Lighthouse was built in 1832. This “lighthouse on legs” has become a recognisable feature of the Somerset coastline thanks to its unusual, stilted structure and red-and-white stripes. It remains active today, while its neighbour High Lighthouse, situated around 0.3 miles (500m) to the east is now a private home.
5. Split Rock Lighthouse, Minnesota, USA
Jutting out on a rocky plinth over the north shore of Lake Superior, Split Rock Lighthouse is an iconic Minnesota landmark. Built following a particularly brutal storm in November 1905, which destroyed or badly damaged 18 ships on the western part of the lake, the lighthouse was opened in 1910. Today, thanks to its attractive yellow-brick octagonal tower and unbeatable clifftop location, it’s become an attraction in its own right.
6. South Stack Lighthouse, Wales, UK
Perched on the tiny islet of Ynys Lawd just off Anglesey’s western coast, the far-flung South Stack Lighthouse can only be reached by clambering 400 steps down a steep cliff and across a bridge. Constructed in 1809, the conical-shaped tower was largely built from limestone quarried from the islet itself. In this striking aerial shot, the 92-feet (28m) tall lighthouse looks impressively remote.
7. Cape Byron Lighthouse, New South Wales, Australia
At Australia’s most eastern point stands the regal-looking, white conical tower of Cape Byron Lighthouse. Towering 387 feet (118m) above sea level, this Victorian-era light was designed in the style of architect James Barnet – its ornate, turreted base is emblematic of his style. Since being erected in 1901, the lighthouse has stood watch over Bryon Bay and become a favourite location for wildlife spotting.
