Anclote Key Preserve: An Island Lighthouse Off the Gulf Coast

A few miles off the coast near Tarpon Springs, reachable only by boat, lies a slender barrier island crowned by a historic lighthouse. Anclote Key Preserve State Park is a remote, unspoiled escape of white sand, clear water, and rich birdlife.

Reachable Only by Water

Because there is no bridge, Anclote Key remains beautifully wild. Visitors arrive by private boat, kayak, or seasonal ferry, stepping ashore onto miles of quiet beach with hardly a building in sight. That sense of remoteness is a big part of the island’s magic.

A Historic Beacon

Standing watch at the island’s southern end is the Anclote Key Lighthouse, first lit in 1887 to guide ships along the Gulf coast. Restored and still striking against the sky, the iron tower is a favorite landmark for boaters and a wonderful destination for a beach walk.

Beaches and Birds

The island’s beaches are superb for shelling, swimming, and watching dolphins offshore. Anclote is also a designated important bird area, where bald eagles, ospreys, and shorebirds nest among the pines and dunes. Primitive camping lets the adventurous stay overnight under brilliant stars.

Pack water, sunscreen, and a sense of adventure. Anclote Key rewards the effort of getting there with the rare gift of a wild Florida island almost all to yourself.

Official page: Anclote Key Preserve State Park