📜 Historic iron piling lighthouse off Islamorada, Florida Keys. Named after the USS Alligator, a Navy schooner that sank here in 1822. The 150-year-old structure stands guard over a reef teeming with marine life and shipwrecks. # Why Go 🤿 Excellent snorkeling and diving around the reef, teeming with over 500 species of marine life. 🚢 Explore a jumbled graveyard of shipwrecks and discover the history of a pirate-hunter shipwreck. 🏛️ Admire unique 19th-century iron skeletal architecture. 🏊 Participate in the annual Swim for Alligator Lighthouse, which supports preservation efforts. # Why Avoid ⚠️ Offshore location requires boat access. 🌡️ Coral bleaching observed due to high water temperatures. 🦈 Potential for large marine life encounters, including sharks. # Tips 🛥️ Snorkeling and diving excursions can be arranged from Islamorada. The lighthouse was re-lit in 2023 after a decade of darkness. Fundraising is underway for a multi-million dollar restoration project. # Hours 🕒 Re-lit in 2023, shines at night.