Standing in Raritan Bay off South Amboy, New Jersey, Great Beds Light has guided mariners since 1880. This cast-iron sparkplug-style lighthouse was built to mark the Great Beds reef, a hazard to ships navigating the busy waterway between Staten Island and the Jersey Shore.

The light remains active as a navigational aid under the U.S. Coast Guard but is not open to the public — visitors cannot climb the tower. Its distinctive shape makes it a favorite subject for photographers, with golden hour and clear winter days offering the best conditions from shoreline vantage points along the Raritan Bay waterfront.

Nearby, explore the beaches of Sandy Hook, the historic town of Perth Amboy, and Cheesequake State Park.

Explore Nearby

• Proprietary House — State Park in New Jersey
• Cheesequake State Park — State Park in New Jersey
• Bayshore Heritage Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in New Jersey
• Mount Mitchell Scenic Drive — Scenic Byway in North Carolina
• Iron Mountain Divisional Camp -Patton — Public Land in California