Ship Shoal Light

Ship Shoal Light is a maritime lighthouse on the Gulf of Mexico featuring a 125-foot (38 meter) skeletal tower with a circular keeper's house at its base. The structure stands roughly 20 miles (32 kilometers) offshore and served to guide vessels through this navigation area.

Operations began in 1859 after this structure replaced a lightship called Pleasonton that had marked the area with red signals since December 1849. The main navigational light ceased operation in 1965 as shipping technology evolved.

The lighthouse served as a vital reference point for fishing communities and merchant vessels that navigated these waters for generations. Local maritime heritage connects to this structure as a symbol of early coastal navigation in the Gulf region.

The lighthouse sits far offshore and is accessible only by boat, making visits challenging for most travelers. Contact local boat operators or tour services ahead of time to arrange access and confirm conditions before attempting a visit.

Early lighthouse keepers suffered health problems linked to lead contamination in the water tanks used for drinking and washing. Authorities responded by removing the toxic red lead paint from the cisterns and coating them with coal tar to protect workers.

Location: Terrebonne Parish

GPS coordinates: 29.01528,-89.16694

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:03