Experience The Charm & Beauty of Negril Lighthouse In Jamaica

Experience the joy of discovering lighthouses during your family vacation! These fascinating structures hold immense beauty, rich history, and breathtaking views that captivate travelers worldwide. Lighthouses have been guiding mariners since ancient times, dating back to 300 B.C. The ingenuity behind their construction reached new heights when the visionary Irish engineer, Alexander Mitchell, built the first screw-pile lighthouse in 1838. Since then, lighthouse designs have become increasingly innovative, adding to their allure.

When exploring different destinations, you'll find a myriad of lighthouses to visit, including seven captivating ones nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Jamaica. Along the enchanting western end of the island lies Negril, renowned for glorious sunsets and being the capital of cliff-jumping in Jamaica. Amidst this vibrant city stands the iconic Negril Lighthouse, also known as Negril Point Lighthouse, which was erected in 1894. Although climbing to the top may not be possible, there are numerous reasons why a visit to this lighthouse is still a fantastic addition to your vacation. Let's dive into what awaits you at the Negril Lighthouse:

Expert tip: Jamaica has many beautiful cities including Negril. If the big question in your mind is whether Montego Bay or Negril is better for a family vacation, we can help you decide!

About the Negril Lighthouse

In the past, the Negril Lighthouse, situated in the charming town of Negril, Jamaica, welcomed visitors for tours and exploration. While it's no longer possible to access the lighthouse for tours, you can still catch a glimpse of this remarkable piece of history during your time in Jamaica. The Negril Lighthouse was constructed in 1894 by the French Company Bubbler & Bernard. It was built on a tank 14 feet deep, which is kept filled with water. In the event of an earthquake, the tower’s stability and safety are enhanced by this water tank.

The Negril Lighthouse boasts a charming simplicity with its white-painted concrete tower. It is the highest point in Westmoreland with the light elevated to 100 feet above sea level. The lighthouse itself is around 66 feet high. The Negril Lighthouse tower is in a classic cylindrical shape, and inside there’s a white and red-colored automatic light that is enclosed in a metal and glass protector. This light is quite elaborate, and a wind vane is located right on top.

The Negril Lighthouse was first operated via a gas lamp. In the year 1956, this gas lamp was switched to an acetylene gas lamp. In 1985, there were more changes — the use of acetylene gas transitioned to solar energy. The Negril Lighthouse continues to shine brightly, serving its purpose as a functional beacon even today. Be sure to keep an eye out for its mesmerizing light as it gracefully flashes every two seconds, adding a touch of enchantment to the surrounding scenery.

Good to know: Visiting landmarks like the Negril Lighthouse really help one get closer to the heart of Negril. Other than going to see this historic lighthouse, there are lots of other things to do in Negril for families. Some of the most exciting things to do in Jamaica with kids include going to beaches, rivers, and waterfalls, and embarking on sightseeing tours.

Getting to the lighthouse

There are many different ways that you can get to the Negril Lighthouse in Jamaica. If you’ll be staying in the Negril area, you can easily make your way to this lighthouse via taxi. It’ll take around 15 minutes to get to the lighthouse by car from most of the resorts and hotels in this area. If you plan on staying in a different part of Jamaica, then it can take a bit longer to get to the Negril Lighthouse.

There aren’t many tour companies that will take you to see the Negril Lighthouse as it is no longer open for tours. Instead, you can visit Rick’s Café and take a short walk over to see the lighthouse. The Rick's Cafe Sunset Experience is a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy. Ahead of your vacation, you can get familiar with the weather in Negril to decide the best time to go.

Aside from the above-mentioned options, another way to view the Negril Lighthouse while in Jamaica is by booking the Negril Highlights Catamaran Cruise. This boat trip takes you along the coast of Negril and during the tour, you’ll get to see views of the lighthouse from the ocean. This tour is facilitated by Island Routes and it is suitable for families.

Things to do near the Negril Lighthouse

Even though tours of the Negril Lighthouse’s interior are not possible, there’s still a lot to look forward to with a visit. This lighthouse is situated in the perfect location where visitors can soak up the serene coastal ambiance, admire the amazing views, and take amazing photos while exploring this area. Here are some of the things you’ll be able to do during your Jamaica lighthouse visit:

See a historic structure up close

The Negril Lighthouse is well worth a visit if you want to see a historic structure up close in Jamaica. It is not complicated to get to this lighthouse as can be the case with some other landmarks of this nature, and you don’t have to pay for tickets to see it either. While at the Negril Lighthouse, you can make a point of learning about its history and how the lighthouse has been modified over the years.

Explore the lighthouse grounds

The Negril Lighthouse is situated amidst a picturesque grassy expanse in a tranquil corner of Jamaica. As you take a break from the hustle and bustle to explore this area, you’ll be able to get close enough to see how tall the lighthouse is from the ground up. The structure of this lighthouse is both impressive and historic, and it is worth taking the time to see if this will be of interest to you.

Admire the views

Captivating views await at the Negril Lighthouse. Though it would be fantastic to see the views from atop the lighthouse, you can also appreciate the scenery nearby and the surrounding ocean views. This is a great place to watch the sunset or just unwind while appreciating the expansiveness of the ocean. Photographers especially will love a visit to this lighthouse for the tremendous photo opportunities it affords.

Visit nearby attractions

There are a few more exciting things you can do near the Negril Lighthouse. One of the most popular is going to Rick's Café. Rick’s Café is a well-known spot for cliff jumping. At this restaurant, bar, and lounge, you can often spot cliff divers jumping from a platform and into the ocean. If you’re not quite brave enough for cliff jumping, you can simply sit back and watch the show. This experience is best enjoyed with a cocktail, Red Stripe Beer, or another type of cold, local Jamaican drink in hand! Rick’s Café is also a fantastic place to watch the sunset, so definitely don't miss out.

Insider tip: Negril is famous for being home to some of the most incredible Jamaica resorts. Outside of this area, there are some luxury Ocho Rios Jamaica resorts as well that families will love. If you want to vacation with family in either of these areas, take a look at these family vacation packages.

Adventure and history collide at the Negril Lighthouse!

The reviews are in: lighthouses are a delight for sightseers and history buffs and worth making time to see while on vacation. Of the many incredible lighthouses across the globe, the Negril Lighthouse is among the most captivating. Though tours of this lighthouse are not possible, families may still enjoy viewing the lighthouse from land, from the ocean, or simply taking a short walk to the lighthouse from attractions like Rick’s Café in Negril.

If you plan on visiting the Negril Lighthouse or other attractions in this part of Jamaica, then it's a good idea to plan a vacation at one of the Negril resorts. This will make it easier to get to the lighthouse and enjoy other popular locations in the Negril area overall. Beaches Negril is located near Seven Mile Beach Negril so families can enjoy just as much time on the beach as they would like. Added to that, Beaches Negril has a host of quality inclusions like luxury accommodation, day and night entertainment, land and water sports, and even a water park for kids. Parents can have a restful vacation, and kids can have good times galore at this resort where the fun doesn’t stop!

Expert tip: Planning on visiting the Negril Lighthouse while in Jamaica? Don't forget to bring your camera! The views in this area are incredible, and you’ll likely need your camera for other Negril excursions too!