Great Beds Light

Great Beds Light is a five-story white conical tower standing 47 feet high on a black pier in Raritan Bay. The red light flashing every 6 seconds can be seen by ships up to 6 nautical miles away, helping them navigate the shoal waters.

The lighthouse began operation in 1880 after New York provided underwater land for its construction. This structure became an important part of the region's navigation infrastructure during a period of growing maritime traffic.

The name refers to the extensive oyster beds that once made this bay a center of shellfish harvesting for the region. Walking the waters here, you can sense the connection between this navigation aid and the fishing traditions that shaped the area.

The lighthouse is best viewed from boats or coastal vantage points along the shoreline in the area. Clear weather offers the best views of the flashing red light pattern that marks the structure day and night.

Two early lighthouse keepers vanished under mysterious circumstances during their service in the 1880s. These unexplained disappearances form part of the lesser-known stories that surround this isolated outpost.

Location: South Amboy

Inception: 1880

GPS coordinates: 40.48666,-74.25304

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:47