Coastal Sites: Lighthouses in Trinidad and Tobago to Add to Your Boating Bucket List

Part of the Lesser Antilles, Trinidad & Tobago lie at the southern edge of the Caribbean. The islands have always had crucial maritime traffic with trade ships, coastal steamers and fishing boats. With its rugged coastlines, shifting weather (fog, storms and night seas) and multiple small islands, safe navigation has long depended on lighthouses. Some are still active aids to navigation, and others are important heritage landmarks. 

Here are several of the most notable lighthouses along the Trinidad and Tobago coastline to visit from private boat slip rentals. 

Port of Spain Lighthouse (Trinidad)

Built in 1842 by Governor Colonel Sir Henry McLeod, the Port of Spain Lighthouse is positioned on what was then a jetty jutting into the sea in Port of Spain. As with many colonial seaports, as land reclamation expanded, the shoreline shifted, and what was once water is now “inland.”

The lighthouse, also known as Saint Vincent Jetty Lighthouse, is decommissioned as a working light, but it’s preserved as heritage by the National Trust of Trinidad & Tobago. This hexagonal (six-sided) masonry tower is painted in white with red & black trim. It's about 64 feet tall. Visible in downtown Port of Spain, it’s an urban landmark to check out from a marina or a private boat lift rental.

Galera Point Lighthouse (Trinidad)

Located on the northeastern coast of Trinidad at Galera Point, the Galera Point Light (often called Toco Lighthouse) was opened in 1897. It was especially critical because coastal roads were underdeveloped until the 20th century. Many coastal villages depended on sea travel. The light helped vessels navigating nearshore and along that rugged northeast coastline.

Originally kerosene-fired, it has been modernized and automated over time. It boasts a powerful light (in its day said to be among the brightest) and a notable height of approximately 70 to 80 feet. 

Chacachacare Lighthouse (Trinidad)

On Chacachacare Island (off Trinidad), Chacachacare Lighthouse was built in 1897. It sits high on a hill on the island, at a focal height of about 251 m above sea level, which gives it extensive visibility. The masonry cylindrical tower, painted white, has a red lantern and emits a white flash every 10 seconds.

Because Chacachacare is less inhabited (compared to mainland Trinidad), the lighthouse has a wild and picturesque setting. It’s often admired in photographs and postcards. One of the more remote lights, accessibility depends on boat transport and local arrangements from nearby islands, the mainland or private boat docks for rent.

Crown Point Lighthouse (Tobago)

The 85-foot Crown Point Lighthouse, located near Scarborough, Tobago, is a metal skeletal tower with a balcony and light. It emits a group of four white flashes every 20 seconds and is visible up to 16 nautical miles. The light guides vessels around the southwestern tip of Tobago, including those heading toward Scarborough or using local ferry / marine traffic. Its location near the airport also makes it a recognizable landmark.