Middle Bay Lighthouse, Gulf Coast Travel Guide

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Discover the historic Middle Bay Lighthouse in Mobile Bay, a unique maritime landmark and a testament to Alabama's rich nautical past.

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Middle Bay Lighthouse

The Middle Bay Lighthouse, a hexagonal, cottage-style screw-pile lighthouse, has stood in the center of Mobile Bay since 1885. Though not open for tours, it remains a captivating sight, embodying Alabama's maritime history.

A brief summary to Middle Bay Lighthouse

Mobile, Alabama, 36601, US
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From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Middle Bay Lighthouse.

The lighthouse is best viewed by boat; consider a tour for an up-close experience.
Check weather conditions before planning a boat trip, as visibility can be affected by fog.
Combine your visit with a trip to other Mobile attractions like the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park.
A fourth-order Fresnel lens used in the lighthouse is on display at the Fort Morgan Museum.

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Other nearby places you may find interesting

The closest places of the same kind, if this one is not quite what you had in mind.

Fort Morgan State Historic Site

Battery Duportail

Fort Gaines

Orange Beach History Museum

Sand Island Lighthouse

Explore Middle Bay Lighthouse on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Middle Bay Lighthouse, mapped for you.

Getting There

Boat

The Middle Bay Lighthouse is only accessible by boat. Several boat tour operators and fishing charters depart from various points along the Mobile Bay coastline, including Mobile and Fairhope. These tours typically range from $30 to $60 per person, depending on the duration and inclusions. Check departure locations and schedules in advance, as they may vary seasonally. Some tours focus specifically on the lighthouse, while others include it as part of a broader bay tour. Booking in advance is highly recommended, especially during peak season.

Discover more about Middle Bay Lighthouse

Located in the heart of Mobile Bay, the Middle Bay Lighthouse, also known as Mobile Bay Lighthouse, has been a guiding light for sailors and a symbol of the region since 1885. This unique hexagonal, cottage-style lighthouse is a screw-pile structure, meaning it's built on metal pilings screwed directly into the seafloor, a design well-suited for the bay's soft, muddy bottom. Middle Bay is one of only a few remaining screw-pile lighthouses still standing in its original location.Constructed in the North and shipped to Mobile Point, the lighthouse began operating on December 1, 1885. Its light, produced by a fourth-order Fresnel lens, flashed white with a red flash every 30 seconds, visible to Mobilians across the bay. In foggy conditions, a bell struck every five seconds served as a crucial fog signal.Life at the lighthouse wasn't always easy. Keepers and their families resided there, facing isolation and the challenges of living offshore. A memorable story tells of a lighthouse keeper and his wife who had a baby in 1916. When the mother was unable to nurse, the keeper brought a cow to the lighthouse and corralled it on the lower deck for milk.The lighthouse was automated in 1935 and deactivated in 1967. The Coast Guard planned to demolish it, but local citizens and the Mobile Bar Pilots Association intervened, recognizing its continued navigational value. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and is currently under the care of the Alabama Historical Commission.While the lighthouse is not open for interior tours, it can be viewed by boat. Several boat tour operators and fishing charters offer trips that provide close-up views of the structure. From the water, visitors can appreciate its unique architecture and picturesque setting. Today, the lighthouse also houses a real-time weather station for the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, contributing to maritime safety.