Coastal Mississippi’s lighthouses have represented safety, resilience, and hope for hundreds of years, providing a vital beacon of light for ships and boats at sea in the Gulf of Mexico. On land, visitors can enjoy the quiet comfort and picturesque coastal vistas that these lighthouses offer year-round, and even climb to the top of some of the oldest in the region for a bird’s-eye view from the lantern room.
Take a road trip across The Secret Coast to discover some of these beautiful, historic structures that stand tall and proud along our 62 miles of scenic shoreline.
Opened in 2019, this lighthouse stands at 70 feet tall and 70 feet wide, offering a new vantage point atop a comfort station, complete with showers and restrooms, on the beautiful white-sand beach in Waveland. Known as “The Hospitality City”, Waveland is the only community of the Gulf Coast which prohibits commercial buildings on its beachfront.
Enjoy views from “Mississippi’s front yard” at Jones Park in Gulfport, watched over by this beautiful lighthouse that stands tall at the marina. Take a stroll along the marina promenade, enjoy the playground and splash pad, or even take a Ship Island Excursions boat cruise to see it all from the water – be on the lookout for dolphins!
Biloxi Lighthouse - Center median of U.S. 90 at Porter Avenue, Biloxi
Erected in 1848, the 64-foot-tall Biloxi Lighthouse was one of the first cast-iron lighthouses in the South. The signature landmark of the City of Biloxi, it is one of the most photographed spots on the coast and has become a post-Katrina symbol of resolve and resilience. Civilian-operated from 1848 to 1939, Biloxi Lighthouse is notable for its several female lightkeepers, and in 1968, the Biloxi Lighthouse was deeded to the City of Biloxi, which eventually opened it to public tours.
Guided tours: Daily from 9 to 10 a.m. from the Biloxi Visitors Center (weather permitting), no reservations required.
Admission: $5 for ages 12 and older, $2 for ages 6 to 11, free for ages 5 and younger. This tour is included in the Coastal Mississippi Attractions Pass.
Round Island Lighthouse - 815 Cypress Avenue, Pascagoula
Built in 1859 and a beacon for mariners for 150 years, the hurricane-ravaged remnants of Round Island Lighthouse were rescued and relocated to mainland Pascagoula in 2010. Open to the public after an extensive restoration completed in 2015, Round Island Lighthouse continues to welcome, educate, and inspire generations of adventurers and history buffs with tales of pirates, military battles, and the region’s maritime history.
Admission: Fridays & Saturdays, 10am - 5pm, $2 for adults, $1 for children.
For a deeper dive into the history of Coastal Mississippi lighthouses, visit the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum in Biloxi (included in the Coastal Mississippi Attractions Pass). This museum was established in 1986 to preserve and interpret Coastal Mississippi’s maritime history and heritage, offering an array of exhibits, including the beautifully-restored Ship Island Lighthouse lens.
