Coastal Sites: 4 Lighthouses Along Canada's Lake Ontario Shores

Stretching along the shores of Ontario, Canada’s southern coast, Lake Ontario is home to a series of historic and picturesque lighthouses that once guided mariners through its busy waters. These beacons stand as enduring symbols of Canada’s maritime heritage, offering both scenic beauty and a glimpse into the past. Add a few of them to your next boating itinerary before taking off from a marina or a private boat dock rental. 

Gibraltar Point Lighthouse

One of the oldest Lake Ontario beacons, the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse on Toronto Island, was built in 1808, it’s shrouded in legend and ghostly tales and remains one of the Great Lakes’ most famous lights to visit from private boat slip rentals. It’s most famous for the legend of its first keeper, J.P. Radelmüller, who mysteriously disappeared in 1815, sparking ghost stories that persist today.

The lighthouse stands 82 feet tall and once guided ships safely into Toronto Harbour. The lighthouse operated with whale oil lamps before converting to modern lighting methods and was decommissioned in 1958. 

Presqu’ile Point Lighthouse

Farther east, the Presqu’ile Point Lighthouse near Brighton sits within Presqu’ile Provincial Park. Built in 1840, it’s one of the oldest lighthouses on the north shore of Lake Ontario. It’s a favorite spot for birdwatching and history lovers to check out from private boat lifts or boat slips for rent near me.

The 69-foot stone tower was constructed to guide ships safely around Presqu’ile Point, a notorious hazard for 19th-century sailors. It originally used whale oil lamps before later converting to kerosene and electricity. Though automated in the 1950s, it remains a striking landmark and centerpiece of the park’s rich maritime history. 

Point Petre Lighthouse

The Point Petre Lighthouse in Prince Edward County was constructed in 1833. It guards the entrance to the Bay of Quinte. Perched on rugged limestone cliffs where Lake Ontario meets the bay, it marks one of the lake’s most exposed and stormy points. The original stone tower was replaced in 1959 by the current 61-foot concrete structure, which features a distinctive white and red octagonal design.

Point Petre served as an essential navigational aid for ships traveling between Kingston and Toronto. Although now automated and closed to the public, the site’s windswept beauty and panoramic views make it a popular destination for photographers and nature lovers.

Nine Mile Point Lighthouse

Nine Mile Point Lighthouse, located in Kingston on Simcoe Island, was built in 1833. One of Ontario’s oldest surviving lighthouses, it stands near the entrance to Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. The limestone tower rises 27 feet tall and once housed a lantern fueled by whale oil, which was later replaced by kerosene and electricity.

The lighthouse played a vital role in ensuring safe passage through the treacherous waters around Wolfe and Simcoe Islands. Although automated in 1912, Nine Mile Point remains a beloved historic landmark and a symbol of Canada’s rich maritime heritage.

Today, many of these lighthouses are preserved as heritage sites, offering visitors and boaters a blend of natural beauty, architectural charm and maritime history. Whether explored by land or boat, the lighthouses along Lake Ontario provide an evocative link to Canada’s Great Lakes past and continue to shine as beacons of exploration and preservation.