If you live on the water in Southwest Florida, your dock is prime real estate.

Whether you are berthing your boat or cleaning fish, you need to make sure you have the right lights. Docks are also popular social gathering spots, so all uses need to be taken into consideration when choosing your lighting.

Gone are the post lights that used to be de rigueur. Now dock owners have many different lighting choices, from flush mounted to beacon style lights.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are devising lighting plans to help them use their docks in more ways than their initial intended purpose. Those who use them for social gatherings might be looking for more mood lighting rather than the classic lights that would shine into your face. Some want security lighting for the path to the dock and then on the dock itself. And some fishermen or fish enthusiasts want underwater lights. Whatever your preference, Coastal Outdoor Lighting has the specialists who can help you realize your vision.

The Plan

When designing new lighting for your dock, the first thing the experts at Coastal Outdoor Lighting will do is figure out where the electricity will come from and your intended purpose. From there, we help you pick out the lights for your project. We have a wide selection of marine grade dock lighting and equipment that were built to withstand Southwest Florida’s harsh sunlight, humidity, and extreme weather conditions, and our experts will help you choose what is best for your needs.

Deciding which lights to install along the dock depends on how the dock is being used. Coastal recommends that clients consider dock pathway lighting, dock piling or pole lighting, dock fish cleaning area lighting, dock security lighting, and underwater dock lighting when devising their final dock lighting plan.

Keep in mind that nobody wants to have bright lights shining in their faces when they are walking along a dock at night or pulling in their boat. They want to see where they are going while still being able to enjoy the darkness and ambiance of being out on the water. Dock owners should also consider lighting up the pathways leading up to the dock and even consider lighting up any dark areas in the surrounding landscape.

Dock Pathway Lighting

Pathway lights should be installed flush with the dock and point downward at the boards so that people can see where they are going, but the light isn’t so bright that it is distracting or annoys your neighbors. If there are stairs leading down to the dock, consider having diffused lights pointing down on every other step for safety. It is important that the dock pathway lights be small enough to be unobtrusive and placed on the sides of the pathway, out of the way. If they do happen to get stepped on, they need to be durable and able to withstand harsh weather conditions. 

Dock Piling/Pole Lighting

If you want to take advantage of your dock’s pilings, you can install similar piling mount dock lights that are aimed downward to subtly line the dock’s path. Standalone post dock lights can also be installed at intervals along the dock pathway. Some stand fairly tall while others are shorter and more decorative. Many dock owners are steering away from pole lights in favor of more subtle, recessed pathway lights, but those aren’t always possible.

Dock Fish Cleaning Area Lighting

When fishermen arrive back at the dock, they want to clean their catch immediately. It is important to provide a fish cleaning station on the dock. Some of our pole dock lights come with a hose attached, making the area a one-stop shop for cleaning fish.

Dock Security Lighting

Worried about someone messing with your boat while you are not there? Consider installing a motion detection LED flood light near your boat (which is also convenient when pulling in your boat from a day on the water). Other safety lighting options include lighting under railings, benches, or on stairs. Adding lighting to the nearby landscaping can also help with security, as it is harder to hide in shadows when there aren’t any.

Underwater Dock Lighting

Underwater dock lighting is a great way for dock owners to get a bit more playful. Coastal Outdoor Lighting offers high-tech options that are controlled with a smartphone. You can change the color of the lights beneath your dock, depending on your mood, or leave them white but dimmed. Underwater dock lighting is also great for anglers who want to do a bit of night fishing. In those instances, experts have shown that green and white lights work the best at attracting the small bait fish that, in turn, will attract the larger fish fishermen really want to catch. Blue light can also work for fishing off the dock.

Underwater dock lights have the added benefit of looking spectacular at night but also allowing boats to clearly see where the dock is at on a moonless night. Dock lights are usually recessed so that they don’t interfere with boats pulling into their berths.

At Coastal, we work with private clients as well as yacht clubs and marinas. We have all the lighting choices you could want for your dock. LED lights are low voltage and long lasting so those are always good choices. Many docks and marinas have established modern outdoor living spaces on them with comfortable seating, tables, and shade. Let us help you find just the right lighting to enhance these outdoor spaces.

We have been designing, installing, and repairing marine grade dock lighting in Southwest Florida since 2001. We are boat owners ourselves, so we know how to maintain a dock and the accompanying equipment. We pride ourselves on staying on top of any new dock lighting options and applications, so our clients always know they are getting the most current and up-to-date lighting selection. If you are in Lehigh Acres, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Port Charlotte or Punta Gorda and you are in the market for dock lighting, give Coastal Outdoor Lighting a call today.