I'm planning a family trip to Florida in September to see my brother near Tampa, and to coincide with the Anclote Key relighting. I plan on hitting a few lights along the way, and there in lies my questions to the Florida experts.

I plan on seeing Amelia Island, Mayport, St. Augustine and Ponce on the east coast, and Anclote, Sanibel, Boca Grande and possibly Egmont Key on the West side. It looks like most are no problem to get to, but I need help on Amelia Island and Mayport.

Where is the best place to view these lights. I know Amelia is closed, but I'd like to at least get a view of it. We're staying in the Jacksonville area one night, so we should be nearby. I've checked web sites and for Mayport, they talk about getting a good view from the ferry dock, but I can't seem to find where it is.

Any help? We're not leaving for a while, so there's plenty of time, but any planning help I can get, as well as tips for seeing the others listed would be greatly appriciated.

Mike

Mike,

The Mayport Light is on the NW side of Naval Station Mayport, next to their airfield. If you have MS Streets & Trips, the ferry terminal is in the search. You can also go to www.lighthousefriends.com and read up on these lights. A very helpful site for your lighthouse trip planning, as they add more lights and info.

If you don't have Streets & Trips, send me an email and I will send you an electronic map.

Dave

Mike,
Amelia can be viewed from a distance (1/2 mile) from Atlantic Ave about 1/2 mile between downtown Fernandina and the beach. It's supposed to be opened up for public visitation later this year.

Mayport can be seen through the fence from the end of Palmer or Broad Street. Both streets are very close to the ferry landing. I've got a better deal for you: if you can tell me when you'll be in the Jacksonville area, I'll be glad to meet you somewhere near Mayport (at the Ferry Landing?) or anywhere else and get you aboard the Naval Station for an up close & personal view of the light.
Let me know.
Stan

Mike -

I've taken Stan up on that offer in the past and I can tell you he's the man!

Also on base is the St. John's River light.

P.S. He can't tell you why he can get you on the base, though. He'd have to kill you.

You may have enough time to see Jupiter and Hillsborough Inlet as well and then go across the state at the bottom....and maybe even sneak in a view of Cape Florida.
Derith

Thanks for the replies and your offer Stan. Was planning on going down for the Anclote relighting, but I'm far too busy at work to get off until mid October, so it looks like it will be then. I'll certainly try to hook up with you Stan, just a little hard sometimes nailing down a time when you're travelling with a 2 1/2 year old. But will try to get ahold of you closer to the visit. As for Jupiter and Hillsboro Derith, I was able to see them on my last business trip a few years ago, so I just need to fill the void north of them.

By the way, has anything changed as far as access to Cape Canaveral, or can you still only see it from a bus tour?

Mike