Visit Ontario’s historic lighthouses
Thunder Bay Lighthouse | Destination Ontario
Prior to railways and roads, Ontario’s lakes and rivers served as the first highways, transporting people, goods and lumber. Coastal lighthouses were constructed and maintained, often in remote places and lonely conditions, to guide ships as they navigated rocky shorelines and rough weather and provide a visual beacon for mariners approaching harbours.
From the Great Lakes to heritage waterways, visit, photograph and learn about Ontario’s famous lighthouses.
Lake Huron and Georgian Bay
The rugged, rocky shores of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay are home to the largest collection of lighthouses in Ontario.
In the mid-19th century, fishing and forestry prospects led to a strong shipping industry as the main means of transport. These shipping routes soon gained a reputation as some of Ontario’s most storied waters due to early marine disasters around the shoals and islands, prompting the urgent need for navigation aids.
Beginning in 1855, six “Imperial Tower Lighthouses” were constructed at Nottawasaga Island, Christian Island, Cove Island, Griffith Island, Chantry Island and Point Clark, with more to follow.
Here are some notable lighthouses on Lake Huron and Georgian Bay to visit.
Goderich Lighthouse, Goderich
Keeping watch over the Goderich Harbour, this historic landmark stands as the oldest Canadian lighthouse station on the Lake Huron shoreline.
The square, stone tower was built in 1847 on the elevated bluff of what is today called Lighthouse Park, allowing its light to shine over 45 metres above the water’s surface below.
Beautifully tended gardens at the Goderich Lighthouse make a great spot for family gatherings, picnics and sunset viewings. The town of Goderich is home to a wealth of historic sites, including the Huron County Museum and Historic Gaol and the Courthouse Square.
Lighthouse location: 1 Harbour Lane, Goderich
Point Clark Lighthouse, Goderich
Constructed between 1855 and 1859, this 12-sided lantern, framed in cast iron, stands 26.5 metres tall from the base of the tower.
Guided summer tours invite you to climb up 114 steps for a birds-eye view from the top of the structure. The lightkeeper’s house museum provides insight into what life was like for a 19th-century lighthouse keeper. Before heading out, peruse the lighthouse gift shop.
Several inviting beaches are located nearby, including Lurgan, Point Clark, Bruce and Kincardine Beach.
Lighthouse location: 529 Lighthouse Road, Goderich
Kincardine Lighthouse, Kincardine
The eight-sided Kincardine Lighthouse was constructed in 1881, servicing a busy fishing and salt shipping industry.
The only ‘downtown’ lighthouse on the Bruce Coast is uniquely designed. The 24-metre-high octagonal wooden light tower was stacked above the two-story light keeper’s dwelling. The lighthouse overlooks the mouth of the Penetangore River in downtown Kincardine and operated on oil until 1925, when the light was converted to electricity.
Today, the facility is maintained by the Kincardine Yacht Club, with a small, seasonal museum run on the lighthouse keeper’s level.
Make time to explore the town of Kincardine, home to the annual summer Kincardine Scottish Festival and Highland Games and Grey Matter Beer Company, whose Aid to Navigation malt beer is brewed with a nod to the lighthouse.
Lighthouse location: 236 Harbour Street, Kincardine
Chantry Island Lighthouse, Bruce County
Just a kilometre out from the Southampton shore, Chantry Island served as the location for a northern sister lighthouse to Point Clark. The 18-metre-tall light station tower and keeper’s cottage were established in 1859.
Boat trips to the island and guided tours of the lighthouse are available from Southampton. Chantry Island is also a significant nesting spot for migratory birds and a bucket list destination for birders.
Throughout the years, the lighthouse was fueled by sperm whale oil, colza oil, coal oil, kerosene and acetylene. More recently, the light shifted to electric and solar energy.
Back on the mainland, visit the marine exhibit at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre in Southampton to learn more about the area’s history.
Lighthouse location: Chantry Island
Big Tub Lighthouse, Tobermory
First lit in 1885, Big Tub is an iconic lighthouse that remains an active beacon guiding vessels in and out of Tobermory Harbour.
The lighthouse features an automatic red light guide that ranges 13 kilometres. The guide was additionally used to warn mariners about scuba divers, as this is a popular scuba diving location.
The six-sided, 14-metre wooden structure stands at the mouth of the harbour overlooking the famous shipwrecks, rocky shoreline and crystal clear waters of Fathom Five National Marine Park.
While in the area, take a boat tour to Flowerpot Island to view the operational Flowerpot Lightstation. One of the oldest buildings in town, the Tobermory Princess Hotel overlooks the Little Tub Harbour and Georgian Bay. Enjoy fish tacos at The Fish & Chip Place and locally inspired brews at Tobermory Brewing Company.
Lighthouse location: 264 Big Tub Road, Tobermory
Janet Head Lighthouse, Gore Bay
There are almost a dozen lighthouse stations on and around Manitoulin Island. It comes as no surprise that the largest freshwater island in the world would also have a rich marine history.
Completed in 1879, Janet Head Lighthouse in Gore Bay is the second oldest lighthouse on Manitoulin Island and is a recognized heritage site for its historical and architectural significance. Standing guard over the North Channel, the picturesque structure is a combined lighthouse and dwelling.
Manitoulin Island is also rich in Indigenous culture and tradition. Book an authentic experience with Wikwemikong Tourism.
Lighthouse location: 621 Lighthouse Road, Gore Bay
Snug Harbour Lighthouse, Carling
The Snug Harbour Lighthouse is a recognized heritage lighthouse that consists of two structures: a front and rear range light.
Constructed in the late 1800s, these iconic towers and several other light sites were vital to maritime navigation in the region, guiding vessels safely from Georgian Bay into Parry Sound.
View the lighthouses from the water on a boat tour from Parry Sound or get a closer look by kayaking along the shoreline. Georgian Bay Marina offers scenic boat tours that pass by the lighthouse.
For more great views, see the Canadian Pacific Railway trestle bridge, the Parry Sound harbour and the bay beyond from atop the 30-metre-high Tower Hill Lookout. Learn the history of the area, including its logging past and famous shipwrecks, at the Museum on Tower Hill.
Lighthouse location: Township of Carling
Killarney Northwest and East Lighthouses, Killarney
Since 1867, two lighthouses guided vessels through the narrow, rocky channel into Killarney, prior to road access in northern Georgian Bay.
The Killarney West and East Lighthouses were both rebuilt in 1909 in the same square style as their predecessors. The original West Lighthouse had the distinction of being the first new lighthouse to be lit in Canada after Confederation.
Today, the picturesque landmarks stand as a testament to the area’s water-based history and the importance of life-saving light stations. While the East Lighthouse is accessible by road, the West Lighthouse is not.
Hike the Killarney's Lighthouse Trail for great lighthouse views, enjoy Killarney’s famous fish and chips at Herbert Fisheries and treat yourself to a comfortable stay at Killarney Mountain Lodge.
Lighthouse locations:
McKay Island Lighthouse, Bruce Mines
As the timber industry developed in Northern Ontario in the early 1900s, so too did the increase in marine traffic along the north shore of Lake Huron. The need for a better source of navigational light in the town of Bruce Mines’ harbour was evident.
In 1907, a new lighthouse was built on the eastern tip of McKay Island, just under two kilometres from the wharf. The wooden-framed structure included a residential dwelling and a 10-metre light tower with a hand-cranked foghorn.
Accessible by boat only, the lighthouse was kept until the mid-1950s when the wharf at Bruce Mines transitioned from commercial to recreational use.
The lighthouse was purchased by a town resident and eventually converted into a unique, all-season, self-catering resort. Now, guests can stay at the McKay Lighthouse and live like a lighthouse keeper.
Explore more local history at the Bruce Mines Museum.
Lighthouse location: McKay Island, Bruce Mines
Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River
Following the War of 1812 and the construction of canals, steamship traffic increased on Lake Ontario to support the developing commerce and trade.
Home to the oldest standing lighthouse on the Great Lakes, Lake Ontario’s harbours served as some of the first ports of call in Ontario for vessels sailing in from the North Atlantic via the St. Lawrence Seaway. Naturally, there was a concentration of lighthouses along the shores and headwaters of the St. Lawrence River and in the Niagara region after the Welland Canal was built.
Here are some notable lighthouses on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence.
Windmill Point Lighthouse, Prescott
Overlooking the St. Lawrence River, this national historic landmark holds a storied past.
Overlooking the St. Lawrence River, this national historic landmark holds a storied past.
Originally erected as a windmill in the early 1830s, it was the site of conflict during the Battle of the Windmill, part of the 1837-38 rebellion. Loyalist forces of Upper Canada fended off an invasion by a splinter American organization called the Hunter Patriots.
Construction began in 1872 to convert the windmill into a much-needed navigation aid along the St. Lawrence. The 18.9-metre stone tower began lighthouse service two years later, in 1874.
Currently, the building is open to the public on select days during each season with guided tours, informational material and a gift shop.
Delve into more local history at the Fort Wellington National Historic Site, get out on the water with 1000 Islands and Seaway Cruisesand enjoy a fresh ale or lager from 1000 Islands Brewing Company in Brockville.
Lighthouse location: Windmill Point Road, Prescott
Presqu'ile Point Lighthouse and Fog Station, Brighton
Perched at the end of a rocky peninsula in what is now a provincial park, Presqu’ile Point Lighthouse served as a beacon of safety for boats and ships navigating the eastern shore of Lake Ontario since its construction in the 1840s.
The 21-metre-high, octagonal tower underwent several restorations, including the conversion of its light from oil to electricity in 1935.
Visit the Lighthouse Interpretive Centre to learn more about the history of the lighthouse and the challenges faced by its keepers over the years. And explore the beaches, sand dunes and boardwalks at Presqu’ile Point Provincial Park.
Enjoy fine dining at The Gables Restaurant and more exceptional wineries and restaurants in neighbouring Prince Edward County.
Lighthouse location: Presqu'ile Point, Brighton
Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, Toronto Islands
Believed to be the oldest standing lighthouse on the Great Lakes, Gibraltar Point was constructed in 1808 on one of a cluster of scenic islands a short ferry ride away from downtown Toronto’s harbourfront.
The hexagonal limestone tower stands 25 metres tall, after a modification to its original structure in 1832. It was later equipped with a revolving light and remained in service until 1958.
Shrouded in mystery, the lighthouse is also rumoured to be haunted after the murder of its first lightkeeper in 1815 and the discovery of a human jaw bone a few years later.
Explore the Toronto Islands on the water with a rental from Harbourfront Canoe and Kayak Centre and choose from a selection of island cafes and restaurants.
Lighthouse location: Hanlan’s Point, Toronto Islands
Port Dalhousie Range Lighthouses, St. Catherines
A pair of decommissioned white and green lighthouses in the Port Dalhousie harbour are two of the most familiar landmarks along St. Catharines waterfront.
Between 1829 and 1932, the harbour in Port Dalhousie served as the northern terminus for the first three iterations of the Welland Canal. This waterway provided a ship passage from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie via the Port Colborne harbour. In 1932, the fourth canal redirected marine traffic via Port Weller.
The two lighthouses are categorized as the Inner (rear) Range Lighthouse and the Outer (front) Range Lighthouse. The rear lighthouse, built in 1898, is the third one constructed on the spot it stands. In the same year it was built, the lighthouse was struck by lightning and burned to the ground, yet construction began immediately to reinstate the structure. The 16-metre-tall rear lighthouse is one of the six remaining wooden lighthouses on the Great Lakes with an octagonal shape.
The front lighthouse is a square, wooden tower built in 1878 at the end of a new pier and was later rebuilt in the 1890s. Today, both lighthouses are maintained as heritage sites.
Just steps from the harbour, Lock Street Brewing serves up several special beers that celebrate the shipping traditions of Port Dalhousie, like the Industrial Pale Ale and the Portside Pilsner. Learn more about Niagara’s impressive Welland Canal, including some of the best spots to watch the ships sail by.
Lighthouse location: 80 Lighthouse Road, St. Catharines
Lake Erie
Due to its size and shape, Lake Erie required fewer lighthouses than the larger Great Lakes. However, Lake Erie is believed to have the highest concentration of shipwrecks of all the five Great Lakes, most due to stormy weather.
Here are some notable lighthouses on Lake Erie.
Point Abino Lighthouse, Fort Erie
Perched on the rocky tip of the Point Abino peninsula on Lake Erie’s north shore, the Point Abino Lighthouse is an elegant Greek Revival-style building with a light tower, foghorn and keeper’s residence. Built in 1917-18, it operated until 1995, when it was decommissioned and established as a national historic site.
Its construction followed the devastating Great Lakes Storm of 1913 that sank and stranded numerous vessels, including a lightship operating along the coast to aid the increased traffic from the Welland Canal Port Colbourne harbour.
The lighthouse is located on private property. Guests are permitted to visit outside the site seasonally and lighthouse tours can be arranged on select days in the summer and fall. Search tour dates and purchase a ticket through Eventbrite.
Nearby, Old Fort Erie retells the War of 1812 with re-enactments, costumed guides and interactive exhibits. To the west, the Welland Canal meets Lake Erie in Port Colborne, a great spot for ship watching. Visit the Marine Museum for more on the area.
Lighthouse location: Point Abino Road South, Fort Erie
Port Dover West Pier Lighthouse, Port Dover
At the very end of a long concrete pier lined with benches, this iconic lighthouse, lantern and foghorn mark the entrance of the Port Dover Harbour from Lake Erie.
The 10-metre-tall, square, tapered structure, originally built in 1846, was rebuilt in 1850 after fire damage. It underwent maintenance again in 1904 and continued to serve as a vital navigational aid and beloved local landmark.
While in Port Dover, visit the Port Dover Harbour Museum, see what’s on the summer playbill at the Lighthouse Festival Theatre and enjoy a meal out at Schofield’s Bistro.
Lighthouse location: 2 Harbour Street, Port Dover
Pelee Island Lighthouse, Pelee Island
The largest island in Lake Erie, Pelee Island is also the southernmost inhabited place in Canada. In addition to its temperate weather, viticulture history and significant birding sites, an increasingly busy shipping route called Pelee Passage ran past the island, hence the need for a lighthouse.
Construction of the round, limestone tower on a northeast spit was underway in 1833, making this the second oldest Canadian lighthouse on Lake Erie. Despite several significant modifications, issues such as neglect, vandalism, a lack of oil supply, and foundational erosion plagued the tower for the next 75 years.
After the establishment of the Pelee Passage Lighthouse between the island and Point Pelee in 1902, the lighthouse on Pelee Island was discontinued and abandoned until its restoration as a historic site in 2000. It’s now maintained as part of the Lighthouse Point Nature Reserve.
While on the island, tour the ruins at Vin Villa, Canada’s first commercial estate winery, founded in 1866. Enjoy the local fare at Stone House 1891 and relax in the outdoor wine garden at the Pelee Island Winery Pavilion, overlooking Lake Erie.
Lighthouse location: 80 East Shore Road, Pelee Island
Lake Superior
The largest and most legendary of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area and has been described as a “freshwater sea.”
Fierce weather was the cause of several shipping disasters on Superior. The most famous was the sinking of the cargo carrier SS Edmund Fitzgerald during a November gale in 1975, commemorated in song by singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot. Lighthouses erected along her shores were critical in the prevention of more tragedies.
Here are some notable lighthouses on Lake Superior.
Terrace Bay Lighthouse, Terrace Bay
Built in 2011, the lighthouse on the main street in Terrace Bay is not a historic site. It is modelled after the original Slate Islands lighthouse in Sunday Harbour and sits almost 70 metres above sea level, the highest elevated lighthouse on the Great Lakes.
From May to October, visitors are welcome to tour the 15-metre-tall replica structure. Climb to the top and enjoy a fantastic view, either with or without the loonie-operated telescope, of Lake Superior and the Slate Islands from the observation deck.
The stunning Aguasabon Falls and Gorge near Terrace Bay is definitely worth a visit, as is Terrace Bay Beach on Lake Superior.
Lighthouse location: Simcoe Plaza, Terrace Bay
Porphyry Point Lighthouse, Porphyry Island
Approximately 40 kilometres east of Thunder Bay and Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, on Lake Superior’s Black Bay Peninsula, Porphyry Point Lighthouse sits on the southern tip of Porphyry Island.
In 1872, three lighthouses were constructed to support the expanding shipping industry, two on Michipicoten Island and one on the volcanic rock at Porphyry Point. The wooden structure featured a square base, an octagonal middle section and an octagonal top portion that hosted the iron lantern room.
The structure stands 11 metres tall, with a height of 17 metres above the water. In 1907, a fog alarm building was added, and further modifications were made to the tower in 1960. In 2014, the lighthouse was repaired and repurposed as an attraction and accommodation for visitors.
Getting to Porphyry Island requires extra planning as it's only accessible by water. Sail Superior offers a half-day tour or book a charter tour from Silver Islet Harbour.
Lighthouse location: Porphyry Island
Thunder Bay Main Lighthouse, Thunder Bay
An iconic landmark in Thunder Bay’s waterfront landscape, this lighthouse sits on the breakwater barrier just offshore from Prince Arthur’s Landing harbour.
Close to five metres tall, the red and white accented clapboard square building was first lit in 1940. The light colour changed from white to green and finally to red in 1952. It remains active today, sending out a red flash every five seconds to mark the north side of the central opening in the breakwater.
Join Such a Nice Day Adventure Expeditions for sunset kayak tours of the Harbour and visit Fort William Historical Park for a fascinating look at life in an 1816 fur trade post.
Lighthouse location: Thunder Bay Harbour
From Lake Ontario’s historic harbours to the legendary shores of Superior, explore rich maritime heritage, embark on scenic tours and find unforgettable photo opportunities at Ontario’s iconic lighthouses.
Last updated: July 11, 2025