7 North Carolina Lighthouses That Will Make You Love the Coast Even More

North Carolina’s lighthouses are plucked right out of a postcard. These stunning towers dot the North Carolina coastline with beauty deserving of its own spotlight. And there are a handful to check out during your next trip to the NC coast!

Lighthouses hold a key role in the state’s maritime history. Today, they’re celebrated as national historic landmarks and popular tourist attractions for coastal vacationers. Whether you’re a history buff or young-spirited, you’ll enjoy visiting North Carolina’s lighthouses. They’re perfect for your NC vacation travel journal, rich with history, and always near a beach!

Get ready to navigate the irregular NC coastline as we embark on a journey to the must-see North Carolina lighthouses.

Discover the 7 North Carolina Lighthouses

There are just a handful of remaining lighthouses on the North Carolina coast. Each of them is unique and undergoes preservation efforts to maintain the coastal charm. Here are the seven lighthouses dotting the NC coastline.

Currituck Beach Lighthouse

• Address: 1101 Corolla Village Rd, Corolla, NC 27927
• https://obcinc.org/currituck-beach-lighthouse/

The distinctive color of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse makes it a stunning sight from land or sea. Located in the Outer Banks, it is the northernmost lighthouse in North Carolina and instantly recognizable due to its natural red color. That’s thanks to more than one million bricks used to construct the 162-foot-tall structure. Ascend 220 stairs to reach the top for panoramic views of the OBX. Inside, visitors will also find exhibitions spotlighting the history of the lighthouse, celebrating the duties of lightkeepers, and featuring the original Fresnel lens.

Bodie Island Lighthouse

• Address: 8210 Bodie Island Lighthouse Rd, Nags Head, NC 27959
• https://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/bils.htm

Third time’s a charm! That’s how many iterations of lighthouses were tried before finding success with the Bodie Island Lighthouse. Massive brick lighthouses aren’t as common in the US, so this one is the perfect one to admire the timeless charm.

Bodie Island Lighthouse greets visitors with its striking black and white stripes. Prep yourself for the 214-stair climb up the spiral staircase. The panoramic views from atop the 156-foot-tall lighthouse, overlooking the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, make the trek worthwhile.

Descend and pop into the former keeper’s quarters. It is repurposed as an exhibition gallery rich with archives of the lighthouses’ history.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

• Address: 46379 Lighthouse Rd, Buxton, NC 27920
• https://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/chls.htm

Preserving America’s tallest brick lighthouse is a monumental feat. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse towers 210 feet over Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks, but it’s had two locations over its lifespan. It was built in 1870, but due to shoreline erosion, it was moved nearly 3,000 feet inland, where it currently stands today.

Don’t expect the scenic coastal views here. Woodlands surround the new position, but still make for a stunning backdrop to admire its neck-breaking height.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is currently closed to the public due to renovations.

Ocracoke Lighthouse

• Address: 360 Lighthouse Rd, Ocracoke, NC 27960
• https://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/ols.htm

History enthusiasts will discover the origins of the North Carolina lighthouse timeline at the Ocracoke Lighthouse. Built in 1823, it’s the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina and the second oldest in the entire country!

The architecture of the Ocracoke Lighthouse is a sign of its time. The original hand-built structure still remains today. It’s just 75 feet tall and measures only 12 feet at the top. Even with its smaller stature, it was still helpful in helping shippers navigate the Ocracoke Inlet.

Hike the nature trail in the Springer’s Point Nature Preserve to reach the Ocracoke Lighthouse. It’s closed to the pubic for climbing.

Cape Lookout Lighthouse

• Address: 1800 Island Rd, Harkers Island, NC 28531
• https://www.nps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/lighthouse-visits.htm

Cape Lookout Lighthouse truly shines bright like a diamond—and yes, it has something to do with its design! The unique diamond pattern on the lighthouse earned it the nickname ‘Diamond Lady’ and shines like the crown jewel of the Cape Lookout Seashore.

Cape Lookout Lighthouse is only accessible by boat. Take the Cape Lookout Ferry from Harkers Island. Look for dolphins along the journey before stunning vistas of the lighthouse welcome you. The ferry drops passengers off on a dock with a boardwalk leading directly to the lighthouse. It runs hourly, so it’s plenty of time to explore the lighthouse grounds.

Oak Island Lighthouse

• Address: 300a Caswell Beach Rd, Oak Island, NC 28465
• https://www.oakislandlighthouse.org

The Oak Island Lighthouse is the newcomer to the North Carolina coast. Constructed in 1958, it’s the newest lighthouse and introduced the future of lighthouse technology to the nation. It was the first lighthouse in the US with rotating LED technology.

You can thank the friendly volunteers for making your visit to the Oak Island Lighthouse possible. It’s the only 100% volunteer-managed lighthouse in North Carolina. Knowledgeable docents conduct lighthouse tours detailing its history while you enjoy sweeping views overlooking Caswell Beach.

Oak Island Lighthouse is located just a one-hour drive south of Wrightsville Beach.

Old Baldy Lighthouse

• Address: 101 Light House Wynd, Bald Head Island, NC 28461
• https://www.oldbaldy.org

‘Age ain’t nothin’ but a number’ for Old Baldy Lighthouse. It’s North Carolina’s oldest standing lighthouse, but still keeps visitors coming to Bald Head Island to see it in person.

Visiting Old Baldy Lighthouse is an entire experience. The day starts with a ferry ride from Southport to Bald Head Island. Climbing to the top of the lighthouse is a highlight of the tour. It’s 110 feet tall and has 360-degree views of Bald Head Island and the Cape Fear River. After admiring the views, explore the maritime exhibits inside the Smith Island Museum of History.

Southport is located one hour south of Wrightsville Beach, where you can catch the ferry to Old Baldy Lighthouse.

Celebrate National Lighthouse Day Weekend

Can’t get enough of the stunning North Carolina lighthouses? Neither can the locals! Every year, Bald Head Island hosts the National Lighthouse Day Weekend at Old Baldy, the state’s oldest standing lighthouse.

Set your calendar for early August to enjoy a seafood boil on the lighthouse grounds, the Run for the Light night race, and more events for an entire weekend.

See details for this year’s event here.

Spotlighting North Carolina Coastal Vacation Rentals

Beautiful lighthouses aren’t the only thing you’ll find decorating the North Carolina coast. Choose a coastal vacation rental for your home base to explore your favorite North Carolina lighthouses.

Sea Scape Properties manages vacation rentals within a one-hour drive from the most popular lighthouses. Explore our coastal vacation homes to give the green light to your North Carolina vacation!