The invention discloses a bridge anti-collision early warning system and method. The system comprises a control center and a plurality of early warning apparatuses, each early warning apparatus comprises a radar detector, an audible-visual alarm, a navigation mark, a navigation mark lamp, a closed buoy, buoy elevation guiding limiting assemblies, anchor bars, and guide rails, the radar detector comprises a radar, a control module and a wireless communication module, the radar and the audible-visual alarm are electrically connected with the control module, the control module is electrically connected with the wireless communication module, the wireless communication module communicates with the control center in a wireless manner, the radar detector, the audible-visual alarm, and the navigation mark are arranged on the buoy, the buoy can move up and down relative to the guide rails under the buoyancy effect of water through the buoy elevation guiding limiting assemblies, and whether an alarm is given and / or whether intrusion ships are notified are / is determined according to the time and area of the ships intruding into a radar monitoring defense area. According to the system and method, the ships can be accurately guided, the alarm is given when the navigation of the ship deviates, and the ships can be prevented from colliding with the bridge.