Tower of Refuge
Good to know
- Best time to go
- Year-round from the promenade; check tide tables for low-tide viewing
- Budget
- $
- Accessibility
- not-accessible
- Coordinates
- Open in maps
This small castellated tower rises from St Mary's Isle, a partially submerged reef in Douglas Bay, and was built in 1832 at the urging of Sir William Hillary, founder of the RNLI. It was stocked with fresh water and bread to shelter shipwrecked sailors until rescue could reach them. Seen from Douglas promenade it is one of the island's most photographed landmarks, briefly reachable on foot at the lowest tides.
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