"We get zero dollars from the Coast Guard. We get zero dollars from the government." Ralph Krugler, historian for the Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society, said that to Local 10 this July, and it changes how a seat on one of the society's boat tours should be read.
The light at the mouth of the Hillsboro Inlet has been in service since March 8, 1907. Upkeep falls to the Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society, a nonprofit that, according to Local 10, "relies almost entirely on fundraising, memberships and public tours" to pay for maintenance and restoration. The city takes its name from the lighthouse, and the lighthouse depends on visitors paying to see it. Three more chances to do that remain on the 2026 calendar.
What a Century of Salt Air Has Cost
Krugler leads many of the society's monthly tours, and he told Local 10 that the climb to the top of the 11-story structure also shows the damage. Rust has eaten into original iron components, and cracks and corrosion are visible in parts of the structure. "The environment is just so hard on iron," he said.
The work underway has three parts. Crews are removing damaged material and applying new protective coatings. They also plan to replace deteriorating iron pieces with stainless steel, which should hold up better against South Florida's coastal conditions for decades. Local 10 reported that the full restoration could cost as much as $2 million.
The other number matters just as much. "It's taken us like 10 years to get $400,000," Krugler said. If the full $2 million is needed, the society has raised about a fifth of it over a decade. At that pace, the remaining 80 percent would take decades more. That explains the new "Save the Lighthouse" social media campaign and GoFundMe page. The society started them with Camilla Pavan, a local boating influencer who passes the lighthouse regularly on the water.
A $2 million goal will not be met by tour seats alone. Still, tours are one of the few income sources the society controls directly, and every seat comes with a membership.
Why the Only Way In Is by Boat
Most residents know the lighthouse as the beam over the inlet or the tower they pass on the water. Few have stood at its base, and that is because of the land. Florida Rambler explains that a private club owns the land needed to reach the lighthouse by road. For years that made the site impossible to visit. Under a schedule approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, the volunteer society now runs tours several times a year, on the condition that visitors arrive by boat.
The tour boats leave from SFL Dive Headquarters at 125 North Riverside Drive in Pompano Beach. The ride runs about two miles along the Intracoastal Waterway. The Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society's tour page says the visit includes the boat ride both ways, a tour of the grounds, and the chance to climb the tower. Boats usually leave the departure docks on the hour and leave the Coast Guard docks at the lighthouse on the half hour.
A personal boat does not get you around this. Florida Rambler reports that private boats cannot use the lighthouse dock. Kayakers who paddle over on an open day still pay admission.
The Fall Dates, and the One That Needs Checking
Two of the three remaining 2026 dates agree across sources. The December date does not.
| Tour | Visit Lauderdale listing | Florida Rambler 2026 schedule |
|---|---|---|
| October | Saturday, October 10 | October 10 |
| November | Sunday, November 15 | November 15 |
| December | Saturday, December 5 | December 12 |
The society's own "Next Tour" notice runs through a social media feed. Check it, or call 954-942-2102, before choosing a December weekend. As of today, October 10 is a week away.
How the Dues Math Favors Hosting
The pricing is where a tour becomes a membership. The society says tours are taken by becoming a member, either on its website or in person at the docks on tour day. Florida Rambler, updated in January 2026, reports $35 per person in admission. It also reports $35 annual dues for an individual, with free tours for a year. Group memberships are listed at $75 for four people and $100 for six, and members can bring guests on tours during the year. Confirm current rates with the society before you go.
At those reported rates, a single tour for four would cost $140 in admissions. A group membership covering the same four is $75, and it stays good through the following fall. For a household that expects visitors over the winter, the six-person membership works out to under $17 a head. It also sends $100 to the restoration fund instead of $35.
What the Dock Will and Won't Allow
The society takes no individual reservations for boat seats. Seating is first come, first served, and the society recommends arriving 15 to 20 minutes before the hour you want. Seats can fill quickly in peak season. The society's prohibited list is stricter than most beach outings:
- Beach chairs, umbrellas, toys and towels
- Coolers, alcohol and glass bottles
- Watersport gear, including snorkel and fishing equipment
Florida Rambler adds a few details for the climb. Flip-flops are not allowed. Children must be at least 48 inches tall and come with an adult. The society sells water, but there is no food service on the grounds. Visit Lauderdale's listing calls for close-toed shoes. Where an older guide mentions bringing beach chairs, go by the society's current rules.
Building a Morning Around the Departure Dock
Since there is no food at the lighthouse, plan meals on either side of the boat. The Sun Sentinel's 2025 parade guide lists Sands Harbor Resort at 125 N. Riverside Drive, the same address the tour boats leave from. At Sands Harbor Resort & Marina, Lola's on the Water has taken over the waterfront space that was Rusty Hook Tavern. Lola's opened in January, so it is no longer new, but it shares the departure address. Confirm its hours before you plan around it.
For breakfast before the boat, GRUB – A Finer Diner is set to open Wednesday, October 7, according to the restaurant's own site. That puts it three days ahead of the October tour. Pompano Beach Insider reports that it is at 14 N. Federal Highway in Pompano Beach and plans to serve breakfast all day from 7 a.m., with dishes including Japanese milk bread French toast and shrimp and grits. An earlier Sun Sentinel report gave October 1, citing the owner, so check before you go.
Closer to home, Pepe's Cantina has a "coming soon" page for its Lighthouse Point location at The Shoppes at Beacon Light, 2410 N. Federal Highway, on the Pompano Beach line. What Now Miami reports the opening as later this year or early next. The chain is known for tableside guacamole and fresh handmade tortillas. The new location is not a confirmed option for any 2026 tour date yet.
December Puts the Waterway Back in Focus
The 64th Annual Greater Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade is set for Friday, December 11. The theme is "A Party in the U.S.A.," marking America's 250th anniversary, and Harrah's Casino Pompano Beach is the presenting sponsor. More than 50 boats are expected on the Intracoastal. The Chamber is offering seats on its own parade boat this year at $200 per person with an open bar. Its official VIP viewing party at The Cove in Deerfield Beach is $100 per person. The parade will also be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube.
The start time is listed two ways. The Chamber says the parade begins at 6 p.m. The City of Pompano Beach event page lists a 7 to 9:30 p.m. window. The 2026 listings above do not give a route. Last year's parade ran north from Lake Santa Barbara to Hillsboro Boulevard, and the Sun Sentinel's 2025 guide named Miraggio Italian Grill, Sands Harbor Resort and Alsdorf Park as public viewing spots. If the society's December tour turns out to be December 12, it would fall the day after the parade.
For residents who would rather see the inlet from their own dock every day, Levinson Luxury Group keeps a quiet list of waterfront homes along the Intracoastal and near the inlet, including several never shown publicly. Get Access To Our Private Listings.
