Updated in September 2026, this Gibbs Hill Lighthouse guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, transport, accessibility and what to see.
Gibbs Hill Lighthouse is an 1846 cast-iron lighthouse in Southampton Parish, Bermuda, among the oldest of its kind in the world. The outdoor viewing platform remains closed for safety improvements, so the climb currently ends just inside the lantern room rather than out on the balcony.
Quick facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily 10:00 am–4:00 pm, including holidays. Closed throughout February |
| Ticket prices | $2.50 to climb the tower; the gift shop is free to browse |
| Address | 68 St. Anne’s Road, Southampton Parish, Bermuda |
| Nearest transport | Bus route 7 or 8 to Lighthouse Road, then a short uphill walk |
| Typical time needed | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
Gibbs Hill Lighthouse opening hours
The lighthouse and gift shop open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, including holidays. This is a single, standardised daily schedule; older guides quoting shorter Sunday hours or a later weekday closing time (9:30 am–4:30 pm) reflect a previous timetable.
The site is closed for the entire month of February every year, which catches some visitors by surprise given how little else on the island closes for that long.
Gibbs Hill Lighthouse ticket prices
Climbing the tower costs $2.50 per person, payable at the gift shop; young children are commonly admitted free. There is no charge to browse the gift shop or enjoy the grounds without climbing.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in September 2026. Bermuda does not operate a combined attraction pass that includes Gibbs Hill Lighthouse.
The lighthouse was built following a spate of shipwrecks: in the decade before it opened, around 39 vessels were wrecked on the reefs off Bermuda’s western end, which extend roughly 16 miles out to sea.
5 experiences worth booking in Bermuda
- 🤿 On a glass-bottom boat cruise, go for a walk along the ocean floor in a diving helmet.
- 🍽️ In Hamilton, taste authentic Bermudan dishes and drinks on a food walking tour.
- ⛵ Take a catamaran cruise to a private cove without the crowds – with snorkelling equipment included.
- 🤿 Explore the Constellation and Montana Shipwrecks on a snorkelling adventure.
- 🪨 Combine the Crystal Caves with top scenic photo stops on a half day island tour.
How to get to Gibbs Hill Lighthouse
Bus routes 7 and 8, which run between Hamilton and the Royal Naval Dockyard, stop at Lighthouse Road; the ride takes about 35 minutes from Hamilton or 25 minutes from Dockyard. From the stop, it is a short but steep walk up St. Anne’s Road to the lighthouse.
Along the way from Hamilton, buses pass Queen’s View, a scenic overlook where Queen Elizabeth II once stopped to admire the coastline. Taxis and rented scooters are also common ways to reach the site directly.
Parking at Gibbs Hill Lighthouse
On-site parking is available near the gift shop for cars and scooters.
How long to spend at Gibbs Hill Lighthouse
Most visitors need 30 minutes to an hour. Climbing the tower and coming back down takes about 15 to 20 minutes, with extra time for the gift shop and the view from the grounds.
Accessibility at Gibbs Hill Lighthouse
The tower is not wheelchair or stroller accessible, since reaching the top requires climbing 185 cast-iron spiral steps across eight flights with no lift. The grounds and gift shop, at ground level, are easier to reach.
Visitors with mobility concerns, heart or breathing conditions, or a fear of heights should weigh the climb carefully, since there is nowhere to turn back partway other than descending the same narrow stairwell.
Inside Gibbs Hill Lighthouse: what to see
Climbing the 185-step spiral staircase leads past small exhibits on the lighthouse’s construction and Bermuda’s maritime history, finishing near the lantern room with views over the South Shore, Little Sound and, on a clear day, Hamilton and the Royal Naval Dockyard.
The tower was manufactured in 1844 by Cottam and Hallen in Lambeth, London, and erected by the Royal Engineers, making it one of the first cast-iron lighthouses in the world, at a time when steel could not yet be bent into shape. It was first lit in May 1846.
Its light has a focal height of 354 feet above sea level, among the highest points in Bermuda, and the beam is reportedly visible to aircraft from over 100 miles away. The lighthouse was automated in 1964, ending the need for a resident keeper.
The Fresnel lens dates from 1904 and, for most of the lighthouse’s history, revolved on a bath of 1,200 pounds of mercury; it was converted to modern steel bearings in 2004. A gift shop, housed in what was once the signal station, now occupies part of the site at the tower’s base.
Visitors hoping to combine the climb with wildlife spotting often come between February and May, when migrating whales can sometimes be seen from the top, though this overlaps with the lighthouse’s own February closure.
The outdoor platform has been closed since January 2025, following a fatal incident, while the government designs and fits a new safety railing; as of September 2026, the site’s own updates still describe this work as ongoing, alongside separate repainting works announced later that year.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Avoid planning a visit in February, when the site is closed entirely. |
| Crowds | Cruise ship days bring coach tours; early morning is generally quieter. |
| Layout | Wear comfortable shoes for the spiral stairs; the grounds need no climbing. |
| Entry process | Buy tower tickets at the gift shop; small cash denominations are useful. |
| On-site logistics | There is no lift or stroller access, so leave buggies at the base. |
Frequently asked questions about Gibbs Hill Lighthouse
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Gibbs Hill Lighthouse suitable for children? | Yes, for children able to manage 185 spiral steps; ask staff about any current guidance. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Gibbs Hill Lighthouse? | No. Tickets are bought on-site at the gift shop. |
| Is Gibbs Hill Lighthouse open every day? | Yes, except throughout February, when it closes entirely. |
| Can you go out onto the balcony at the top? | No. The outdoor platform is currently closed for safety improvements. |
| Is Gibbs Hill Lighthouse wheelchair accessible? | No, due to the 185-step spiral staircase with no lift. |
Things to do near Gibbs Hill Lighthouse
- Horseshoe Bay Beach: Bermuda’s best-known beach, a short drive away.
- Church Bay: a scenic cove popular for snorkelling, close by.
- Fairmont Southampton: a lakefront resort near the lighthouse’s base, with its own golf course.
- Warwick Long Bay: a long, quiet South Shore beach nearby.
- Queen’s View: a scenic roadside overlook on the way to the lighthouse.
Alternative attractions
- St. David’s Lighthouse: Bermuda’s other lighthouse, at the island’s eastern end, about 45 minutes to an hour away.
- Fort Scaur: a hilltop fort and park at the island’s western end, about 20 minutes away.
- National Museum of Bermuda: a fortress-museum complex at the Royal Naval Dockyard, about 25 minutes away.
- Royal Naval Dockyard: shops, restaurants and museums at the island’s west end, about 25 minutes away.
- Fort St Catherine: a 17th-century coastal fort at the opposite end of the island, about 1 hour away.
