port colborne lighthouses

Take advantage of the tours to the Port Colborne lighthouse and fog horn structures. Very informative and great views of ship and pleasure boat traffic. The fare prices are reasonable. There is no set schedule. Take the trip and return when you are satisfied that you have heard and seen it all.

The Port Colborne Lighthouses include 2 lighthouses. There is a breakwall and at each end is a lighthouse. One was light only and the other a fog horn and lighthouse. During the Canal Days celebration in August tours are offered. Check the internet for the days and times. The lighthouses offer a close up view of ships and boats entering and exiting the Welland Canal. There is a group called Friends of Port Colborne Lighthouses working on the preservation. A man named Erno Rossi is the leader. Find him and get more information. In 2014 I joined the group and helped with the tours. If you are a lighthouse groupie then don't miss these.

The Port Colborne Lighthouses is a great place to visit if you can get out to them. They are not open to the public too often. If you have your own boat you can get to them and walk along the long piers.The top of the lighthouses are great vantage points for beautiful views of Lake Erie. The piers are very long and on a nice day this is a photographer's paradise. The area attracts all kinds of birds so there are also great opportunities for bird watchers.When they are open to the public (usually Canal Days Festival), the public can purchase entrance that includes boat shuttle from Sugar Loaf Marina.This attraction is NOT for very young (under about 8y) or those with health issues, especially mobility challenges. There are two steep stairways to climb from the boat and neither have hand rails. THERE ARE NO WASHROOMS!The lighthouses are very dangerous to climb. I would not recommend climbing the lighthouses to anyone other than high risk takers who are physically fit. There are NO BACKUP SAFETY systems (ie ropes/harnesses). The outside deck at the top has a very low and inadequate railing and the walkway is narrow. If you are going to climb the lighthouses, don't wear your life vest as the volunteers recommend. Why? It only adds extra bulk and makes the climb more difficult. Once you are outside, that vest is not going to save you from a fall anyway.The outer lighthouse, where the foghorn is located, is not as high but is still not the safest to climb to the upper deck.Overall it's a great place to visit but ONLY for those in good physical condition. Only those that are high risk takers and have nerves of steel should attempt to climb the lighthouses.I rate it only 2stars because of the serious safety issues to the public.