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Get the most out of your visit

Visiting Port Sanilac

Here is what you need to know to make your visit memorable and get the most out of your trip to the iconic Port Sanilac Lighthouse. The lighthouse is privately owned and generally not open to the public. You can view the lighthouse at anytime from outside the fence surrounding the property or for one of the best views, venture out onto the breakwater for a picturesque view (weather permitting).

A Virtual Tour of the Port Sanilac Lighthouse

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Public Tours (Summer Only)

You’ll climb up 50-step tower with its views up and down the Lake Huron shoreline.

 

The Sanilac County Historic Village & Museum graciously hosts lighthouse tower tours starting in July until the end of August with tour dates listed below. All tours are on Fridays in the Summer with the exception that there are two weekend tour dates available in 2019 as listed below.

 

We are sorry, but the lighthouse is not ADA accessible, however when tours are scheduled, the sidewalk is available inside the gate.

Can't Come Out In Person?

View photos of Port Saniliac's historic past renovations, removal of the Fresnal lens, and breathtaking panoramic views.

Ship Traffic Map Near Port Sanilac

MarineTraffic provides real-time information on the movements of ships and the current location of ships in harbors and ports. A database of information on the vessels includes for example details of the location where they were built plus dimensions of the vessels, gross tonnage and International Maritime Organization (IMO) number. Information provided by AIS equipment, such as unique identification, position, course, and speed is then transferred to the main Marine Traffic servers for display via the website in real time.

Pricing & Tower Rules

The cost of the tower tour is $5 per visitor.

Children 12 and under are FREE.

All funds are deeply appreciated and will directly benefit the Port Sanilac Lighthouses ongoing maintenance needs.

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    Only 5 to 6 people at a time are allowed inside the lantern room

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    Nobody is allowed outside the lantern room onto the exterior lantern gallery.

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    Children must be supervised at all times by a parent or guardian

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    Weather permitting – thunder and lightening will close the tower

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    Height restriction

    All visitors MUST be 36 inches tall to climb the tower. Absolutely no babies in slings or backpacks are allowed in the lighthouse tower. No exceptions will be made to the height requirement or to rules that ensure the safety of every guest. Closed toes shoes are preferred, but all other shoes are welcome as long as there are not lose straps or dangling parts that could catch on the stairs.

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Service Animals

Certified service animals are welcome inside our grounds only when tours are available, but not on the front porch or in the tower. Also you must take out what your pet leaves behind.

ADA Accessibility

We are sorry, but the lighthouse is not ADA accessible, however when tours are scheduled, the sidewalk is available inside the gate.

Group, School, & Private
Tour Requests

It is possible to schedule a tour outside of the published schedule as long as we can obtain volunteers to offer educational and group tours with advance notice. Led by experienced docents, guided group tours provide visitors with an educational and interesting glimpse into life at the Light Station. Walk the grounds with one of our knowledgeable volunteers and discover what it was like to live and work at the Lighthouse. Visit our history section to learn more about the lighthouse.

School tours are offered to public, private, and homeschool student groups, as well as other chaperoned youth groups.

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Passport Program

Remember your visit to Port Sanilac

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Passport Stamps

The Port Sanilac Light Station is a proud participant of the USLHS Passport Program! Get your stamp at the lighthouse during regular hours of operation when stopping to climb the tower. If you can’t make it to visit while we’re open, send your donation and a self-addressed stamped envelope with the date you visited to:

Sanilac County Historic Village and Museum 
228 South Ridge Street, Port Sanilac, MI
48469

The museum is just a short distance away from the lighthouse.

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Lighthouse Passport Program & Club

The United States Lighthouse Society (USLHS) Passport Program is designed to generate donations for participating lighthouses, in addition to being a fun and educational way to learn about lighthouses and chronicle your lighthouse adventures. Collect unique stamps from over 600 locations throughout the country. In addition, if you join the USLHS free Passport Club you will receive a special gift and periodic updates on new stamp locations and stamp hunting tips. This is a great way to commemorate your lighthouse hunting experiences while also supporting America’s lighthouse preservation!

Other activities around Port Sanilac

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