Seahorse Key light station.
This article is proudly brought to you in partnership with the UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station.✨
There is something undeniably magical about Seahorse Key. As the highest elevation on Florida’s west coast, this historic island stands as a quiet sentinel three miles off the coast of Cedar Key. Because it is part of both the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge and the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge and supports ongoing UF/IFAS research and education efforts, public access to the Cedar Key Light Station is limited to designated open house days. However, it has remained closed since Hurricane Helene due to damage to the Seahorse Key Marine Laboratory and storm-related debris.
But this year, the island is opening its shores for a spectacular pre-Independence Day celebration. On Friday, July 3rd, 2026, you have the rare chance to step back in time, explore the island, and witness a breathtaking piece of local maritime history.
📸FloridaMemory.com Photographed on January 17, 1893
A Unique "Pre-Fab" Architectural Design
Unlike the towering brick columns you see in places like St. Augustine or Ponce Inlet, the Seahorse Key light is a "dwelling house" design. The keeper's quarters is a square, one-story wooden house, and the light tower itself protrudes directly out of the center of the roof.
The building was actually framed and pre-fabricated in the North, shipped down to the Gulf on a schooner, and assembled on top of the island's highest sand dune. Because the dune sits 52 feet above sea level, the short, 28-foot tower still managed to give the light a commanding focal plane of 75 feet, throwing its beam 15 miles out into the Gulf.
The Daytime Open House: Explore Seahorse Key
Following intense hurricane recovery efforts over the past year, public access is finally returning to the island for a special daytime Open House.
When: Friday, July 3rd, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Cost: Free! Admission to the refuge and the lighthouse tour itself costs nothing.
What to Expect: You can tour the historic pre-Civil War light station (originally lit in 1854), chat with experts from the University of Florida/IFAS Marine Laboratory, and learn about the incredible coastal conservation and research happening right in our backyard.
Important Visitor Tips: Seahorse Key is a primitive, protected natural environment. There are no food or water amenities on the island, and restroom facilities are extremely limited. Be sure to pack plenty of water, sunscreen, bug spray, and comfortable walking shoes. Stay on the designated trails to protect the local habitat!
Getting to the Island
Because Seahorse Key is only accessible by water, you will need to pilot your own boat or hire one of our fantastic local charter captains. Tour boats will be departing on a first-come, first-served basis from the public boat ramps at 9099 A Street. Reach out to these local marina operators to secure your spot:
Captain Doug’s Tours: 352-325-0088
Cedar Key Island Tours: 352-231-4435
Island Life Boat Rentals: 352-279-2338
Tidewater Tours: 352-641-7708
📸Floridiana Magazine
The Main Event: The Evening Lighting of the Lighthouse
The magic doesn't stop when the sun goes down. In fact, one of the most highly anticipated events of the weekend happens on July 3rd at 8:45PM.
Decommissioned by the Coast Guard back in 1915, the Cedar Keys Light Station usually sits dark. However, on the evening of July 3rd, the switch will be flipped to illuminate its replica fourth-order Fresnel lens, sending a brilliant, fleeting beam across the Gulf waters just like it did over a century ago.
Where to Catch the View
Because the island will be closed to foot traffic by nightfall, you have two incredible ways to experience this rare lighting:
From the Water: Some local operators like are offering special, extended evening sunset charters. You can watch the lighthouse flare to life from the water, getting a close-up, authentic view of what 19th-century sailors saw as they navigated into our channels.
From land: If you prefer to keep your feet on solid ground, gather with friends and neighbors along G Street. Bring your lawn chairs, pack a cooler, and enjoy the community vibe as we watch the historic light pierce the dark.
It’s the perfect, relaxed prelude to the big July 4th fireworks happening the following night. Let’s head out, support our local light station, and celebrate the rich, enduring history of Cedar Key!
Planning on taking a boat out or watching from G Street? Keep our shores beautiful—remember to pack out whatever you pack in!
After the light was permanently extinguished in 1915, the island lay mostly abandoned until 1952, when the University of Florida leased the lighthouse property to establish the Seahorse Key Marine Laboratory. Today, it operates as a vital field station managed in partnership with the UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station. Instead of housing lighthouse keepers, the historic dwelling now serves as a dormitory and research base for scientists, biologists, and students studying the local marine environment.
NCBS is located at 552 1st St., Cedar Key
Located right on the Gulf in the heart of Cedar Key, the UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station (NCBS) is a premier research and education hub dedicated to the conservation and sustainability of Florida’s coastal resources. As part of the University of Florida, the station serves as a bridge between world-class marine science and our local community. Through collaborative research, hands-on public workshops, and student training, NCBS plays a vital role in protecting the vast seagrass meadows, critical wildlife habitats, and unique ecosystems that make the Nature Coast so special.