Not just a navigational tool on board, many lighthouses around the world have earned a reputation as beautiful sights in their own right. From idyllic traditional designs to modern architectural feats.
These stunning lighthouse signs are some of the most popular parts of the coastlines they adorn. Here are some of the prettiest lighthouses on Earth.
1. Diamond Head Lighthouse, Hawaii, USA
The Diamond Head Lighthouse in Oahu, Hawaii was commemorated on a US postage stamp in 2007. The lighthouse sits on the southwestern edge of Diamond Head, a 3,520-foot (1,073m) wide impact crater formed by a volcanic eruption 300,000 years ago. The lighthouse has been guarding the coast since 1899 when it was built following two shipwrecks.
2. Fanad Lighthouse, Northern Ireland, UK
Since 1817, Fanad Lighthouse has sat at the end of an exposed rocky peninsula between Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay. Over this stretch of the Northern Ireland coastline, its light shines all the way.
However, the idea for the lighthouse came from dire circumstances. In 1811, the HMS Saldanha sank near the Fanad peninsula, killing 254 people, so the building was built to prevent future disasters.
3. LOW Lighthouse, England, UK
The Low Lighthouse was built in 1832 on the northern edge of Burnham-on Sea. With its unusual, sloping structure and red and white stripes, this 'lighthouse with two legs' has become a recognizable feature of the Somerset coastline.
It is still active today, while its neighbor, High Lighthouse, about 0.3 miles (500m) to the east, is now a private residence.
4. Split Rock Lighthouse, Michigan, USA
Perched on a rocky plinth on the northern shore of Lake Superior, the Split Rock Lighthouse is an iconic Minnesota landmark. Constructed during a fierce November 1905 storm that destroyed or severely damaged 18 ships on the western side of the lake, the lighthouse was commissioned in 1910.
Today, it's an attraction in its own right, thanks to its dramatic yellow-brick octagonal towers and unrivalled cliff-top location.
5. South Stack Lighthouse, Wales, UK
Nestled on the small island of Ynys Lawd off the west coast of Anglesey, the remote South Stack lighthouse can only be reached by climbing 400 steps down a cliff and crossing a bridge.
Constructed in 1809, the conical tower is constructed largely of limestone quarried from the island itself. The 92ft (28m) lighthouse appears far away in this striking aerial shot.
6. Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, Nova Scotia, Canada
Perhaps Canada's most famous lighthouse, Peggy's Cove Lighthouse was built in 1914 to replace a wooden building built in 1868. The white tower body, the red tower house, and the intense colour contrast represent St.
Margarets Bay and a popular attraction in Nova Scotia. The lighthouse is only a 30-minute drive from Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia. If you want to come here to enjoy the scenery in summer, you can participate in the visit organized by the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Conservation Association.
