Properly lighting your waterfront is a crucial part of owning a boat dock. No matter the size of the slip, deck, or port, keeping your landing and/or boat lift well illuminated is important for the security of your vessel and safety of all around. Poorly lit docks are an accident waiting to happen, whether it’s someone tripping in the walkway, or ramming your own piling coming in from a night cruise. But on top of preventing potential danger, a nice lighting system helps create a more enjoyable environment for you and your guests. It shows pride in ownership, while adding a touch of class and personality to your docking area.

Installing the right lights takes careful planning and a little hard work. The initial setup may seem daunting, especially for a larger project, as there are many factors to consider. You want lights that focus on safety, but offer some flair. Solutions to illuminate all travel lines and corners of the dock, while avoiding excessive glare. And of course, high-quality, dependable fixtures, that won’t break the bank.

To help simplify the planning process, we’ve assembled a list of some common mistakes slip owners make when first setting up a light system.

What to Avoid When Buying Dock Lights

The best dock lighting supports the safety and security of your boat and guests, while adding to the overall enjoyment and efficiency of the slip. When it comes time to plan out your lighting system, watch out for these common pitfalls:

1. Underdoing it - Your dock needs lighting, but how much? Often owners will commit to the bare minimum, especially if they don’t plan on using their boat or deck at night. But neglecting to thoughtfully illuminate your waterfront can lead to serious problems in the future. Even if you never go out in the dark, it’s important to properly highlight the water’s edge so other boats can see your landing. And that means more than just one or two fixtures. You want full coverage on your dock area, even if it’s just strategically placed walkway lights. There’s no telling when you’ll want or need to access specific corners of the property, say for an unplanned outing or emergency upkeep. So make sure not to miss any area when planning your light layout.
2. Overdoing it - Bigger and brighter is not always better. You want to be thoughtful when buying lights, both in terms of fixtures and lumens. Tall, bright lights are generally ineffective for dock use or even dangerous, in some cases. They can blind approaching boat captains, or make it difficult to see the edges of the dock. Instead, you want to install piling lights between 24 to 35 inches high on posts spaced evenly throughout. This gives other boaters enough illumination to clearly see your deck at night, without being blinded by glare or shadows. Another option is placing walkway lights along the deck itself, and/or larger fixtures underneath to illuminate the water. It's much more enjoyable to fish or hang out on a dock that has this type of ambiance, as opposed to overhead lights that may cause excessive light pollution. Of course, in commercial situations or marinas that house larger vessels, more powerful lighting may be required to ensure safety.
3. Not focusing on safety - The main focus of any lighting setup should be making your dock safer to use at night or early morning. Your entire deck area should be well illuminated to prevent accidents on the walkway. Hopping from boat to dock or vice versa can be extremely difficult in the dark. Make sure the general boarding area is well lit to ensure the safety of any passengers. The right lighting will also improve ease of use, allowing you and guests to better navigate the area. You might consider installing red and green lights at the end of your dock to help steer your boat to the correct side at night. Adding a set of lights that shine into the water and reflect off the edges of the dock is another way to clearly outline the space and add further safety.
4. Not personalizing your look - Coming back after a late cruise, it can be difficult to distinguish which dock is yours in the darkness. This is especially true if you cannot see any of the landscaping that marks your property. Clear and distinct lighting helps to identify your dock at night, distinguishing your landing from others in the area. Choose a setup that is easy to recognize and gives your dock some flair. A great way to do that is to use colored LEDs, picking a hue that sets your spot apart from neighboring docks. You might also consider some landscape lights to really highlight the exterior property. The right accents and other personal touches not only improve overall visibility, they add character to your space and provide a more aesthetically pleasing presentation.
5. Neglecting protection - Your lighting system must be able to withstand the elements. Simply by being outdoors, close to or in the water, your fixtures will be subject to harsh conditions. Depending on your location, that may mean weathering some seriously nasty storms. To make sure your lights hold up against Mother Nature, you want to purchase products with water resistant housing, first and foremost. If they are going to be submerged, the fixtures need to be fully waterproof (IP66 rated), and if applicable, suited for saltwater. Along with that, we suggest going for lights built from 316 marine grade Stainless Steel, to guarantee they’ll stand up to any beating.
6. Overlooking control - It’s one thing to pick the right fixtures and get them installed. But make sure you have an easy way to control everything once it’s set up. Trust us, you’re going to want your system neatly organized and run through a central control box (or boxes). This will allow you to easily manage your lighting, even incorporate a dimmer or set everything on a dusk-to-dawn timer. Many modern LEDs are also compatible with controller apps (such as Lumitec’s POCO system). This gives you full wireless control of your lighting via Bluetooth or WiFi, so you can easily toggle individual pieces or even change the color output on products with full spectrum options.
7. Buying cheap - Owning and maintaining a boat dock is a huge investment. It may be tempting to skimp on lighting initially, purchasing cheaper fixtures that work well enough for your needs. But this will only end up hurting your wallet more down the line, when everything eventually needs replacing. There’s an old saying: “Buy once, cry once.” Do your research and invest in high-quality lights that will serve you for years to come. Nowadays, that means going for long-lasting LED fixtures, which offer durability and performance, along with all the necessary bells and whistles like wireless control. It’s the best way to futureproof your setup, and avoid the constant need to upgrade as pieces break or become obsolete.
8. Annoying the neighbors - Be a good neighbor. Prevent future arguments or disagreements by including any nearby residents in your planning process. When installing substantial outdoor lighting, it’s courteous to check in with neighbors and see how the output looks from their perspective. You never know, one of your carefully placed lights might be beaming directly into their window. A good way to avoid these situations is by relying more on underwater fixtures, which tend to be less obnoxious from afar. At the very least, make sure your lights are angled correctly toward the dock to minimize visual intrusion.

Your Best Source for Dock Lighting

Apex Lighting has helped dock owners find the right lighting solutions for over 20 years. We only carry the highest-quality marine and outdoor LED fixtures, from industry leading brands such as Lumitec, IMTRA Marine Products, BluefinLED, Hella Marine, and more. Find everything from underwater LEDs and solar sentinel lighting, to the perfect piling and landscape fixtures. We also offer a wide range of LED bulbs, controllers, dimmers, power supplies, and switches, to help you organize and maintain the perfect setup for your needs.

Questions about dock lights? We’ve got answers. Reach out anytime for assistance through our Contact Us page or start a chat directly from the site.