Carysfort Reef Light stands amid the turquoise waters off Key Largo, Florida, as one of the oldest reef lights in the United States. Built in 1852, this iron-pile screwpile lighthouse was engineered by I.W.P. Lewis to protect ships from the treacherous Carysfort Reef. Deactivated and no longer open to the public, the structure is currently undergoing restoration efforts by the Carysfort Lighthouse Reef Foundation. Visitors cannot climb the tower, but it makes a striking subject for photography during golden hour boat trips, especially in calm winter months. Nearby attractions include John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, excellent snorkeling and diving sites along the Florida Keys reef tract, and the charming shops and seafood restaurants of Key Largo.

Explore Nearby

• Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park — State Park in Florida
• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park — State Park in Florida
• Florida Keys Scenic Highway — Scenic Byway in Florida
• Big Cypress National Preserve — Dark Sky Site in Florida