Explore the OBX lighthouses and learn about their history
When it comes to amazing and inspiring vacation destinations, there is a seemingly endless list of reasons to pack your bags and enjoy a getaway to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. From the stunning landscapes and incredible wildlife to the great dining, shopping, gallery hopping, and exploring what’s available to pursue, to examining our maritime culture and history.
The lighthouses on the Outer Banks offer the best example of a place that owes its fame and longevity to the seas that surround it and with 5 lighthouses shining into the night on the Outer Banks, you will have more than your share of maritime adventures during your North Carolina journey and your stay in our Pirate’s Cove Realty seaside retreats.
For more ways to explore the Outer Banks during your trip, be sure to download our complimentary Vacation Guide!
Ocracoke Island Lighthouse
The first of our Outer Banks lighthouses, standing just 65–feet tall, the Ocracoke Island Lighthouse is a unique landmark to visit thanks to its title as the second oldest lighthouse in the U.S. and North Carolina’s oldest one still in operation. It’s a popular site thanks to its charming stature, rich history, and a beacon that illuminates 14 miles out into the Pamlico Sound and the Atlantic Ocean.
The Ocracoke Island Lighthouse dates back to construction in 1822, with an opening date in 1823. While the Forth Order Lens has since been replaced, the lighthouse remains as it was at the time of its creation. It was automated in the early 1900s and continued to successfully assist mariners in navigating a tricky Ocracoke Inlet. Today, it’s a must-see stop in the Outer Banks. While the lighthouse is not open to climbers, it’s a wonderful photo opportunity that you’ll certainly want to take advantage of while you’re here.
Ocracoke Island Lighthouse Pro Tip: Biking Trails Around the Lighthouse
Bringing a bike along for the journey is highly recommended, as the area around the lighthouse is packed with great trails to explore that offer up new views on the lighthouse itself. Ocracoke Beach Outfitters, located at 804 Irvin Garrish Highway in Ocracoke, rents bikes and all the gear you need to be safe if you want to take part in the biking adventure, since you can’t tour the inside of the lighthouse.
Currituck Beach Lighthouse
Situated in the heart of Corolla, our next Outer Banks Lighthouse is the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, one that is easy to find thanks to its prime location near the historic Whalehead Club. These days, the 162-foot towering structure still works as a guide for passing mariners. It hosts a First Order Fresnel light, which is visible for 18 nautical miles and rotates in 20-second increments.
The bold red exterior of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse makes it a fan favorite among photographers. The Currituck Beach Lighthouse began operation in 1875 and was electrified in 1933. In 1980, restoration efforts were put in place to upgrade the next-door keepers’ home as well as all of the lighthouse grounds. These days, guests can come and see and enjoy the results, take pictures, and enjoy pairing modern fun with historic marvels.
Open for Tours Late March through the Last Day of November
There is an honor that can be claimed from climbing (and descending) a large number of stares and when you climb the 220 steps to the top of the Currituck Island Lighthouse, the views will convince you that it was definitely worth the extra effort and any lingering aches and pains in your quads and hammies! Open daily during the season (closed for Thanksgiving), visitors must be at least 4 years old to climb this Outer Banks lighthouse, so if you have young children, you might want to plan a return trip when they are older.
The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
Every lighthouse on the Outer Banks comes with a rich story to tell, and the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is no exception to the rule. It’s a relatively small lighthouse in the area that’s tucked away on the east end of the Manteo waterfront, but a visit is sure to delight! A trip to downtown Manteo offers up a clear path and great views of the lighthouse, which is situated a mere 40 yards from the Roanoke Sound. Visitors are often captivated by the unique white exterior complete with red shingled roofing and black shutters.
The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse embodies the classic coastal style and aesthetic and provides an eye-catching detail to enjoy when visitors are strolling the boardwalk. One interesting fact to note is that when you visit the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, you’ll be encountering a replica of the original. The replica was constructed to reflect the exact details of the original lighthouse that was first lit in 1877 but eventually fell into disrepair. Learn more about the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse.
Fun Fact about the Little Lighthouse that Could
The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is actually a replica of the third Outer Banks lighthouse of the same name, with the first two falling into extreme disrepair and the third one falling apart when it was being moved to a safer location inland. Reaching just 37 feet in height, the little lighthouse that could still provided safe passage for local sailors and fishermen, and although you can’t climb it, there is a small museum there that tells its story beautifully.
Bodie Island Lighthouse
In 1837, Lieutenant Napoleon L. Coste was sent out by the U.S. government to locate a spot for a new lighthouse in the Outer Banks. The mission was to find a location where a lighthouse could be built that would reduce the number of shipwrecks and casualties on the shorelines of the Outer Banks. As a result, the Bodie Island Lighthouse came into existence.
This stunning lighthouse dazzles visitors with its horizontal black and white façade and enjoys a place south of Nags Head. It’s easy to spot from the road if you’re traveling towards Hatteras Island, and recent restoration provides travelers with opportunities to visit and climb the lighthouse to the observation deck. Be prepared to tackle 214 steps, all the while knowing that the reward lies in the amazing view up top. Learn more about Bodie Island Lighthouse.
Why So Many Lighthouses in Such a Small Area?
As we near the end of our tour of the lighthouses on the Outer Banks, you may be asking yourself why there are so many in such a relatively small area. As you may have discovered during an earlier visit to the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, the waters that surround the Outer Banks are rough and dangerous and over the centuries it is suspected that anywhere from 2 to 3000 ships are resting on the sandy floor of the Atlantic Ocean surrounding the Outer Banks, hence the nickname, the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Back in the days before sophisticated navigational systems, these lighthouses have been proven to save many a life and ship, even as they are regarded as little more than charming landmarks to explore today.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
As we come to the end of our Outer Banks lighthouse journey, this next landmark lighthouse is one that is an iconic symbol of the Outer Banks, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. The original Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was constructed in 1794 and began operation in 1803. Unfortunately, the building materials used to create the lighthouse weren’t durable enough to withstand the rugged coastal conditions, and a second lighthouse was built in 1870. This is the same lighthouse that visitors can enjoy today which stands over 200 feet tall.
It’s estimated that over 175,000 visitors come to see this lighthouse each year and take photos of its candy-striped black and white exterior. Most of the time, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is open for guests to climb as it hosts 257 steps leading to the observation deck. However, it’s important to keep in mind that current restoration projects have closed the lighthouse for climbing through the end of 2023. Learn more about Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
Tour Update
Unfortunately, the renovations are taking longer than originally expected, and tours are not expected to resume until the summer of 2026. It is still worth visiting this iconic lighthouse, as we have it on great authority that the best family photographs are taken with the black and white swirly pattern and gleaming glass lens shining in the background of each picture taken.
Book Your Stay Today
Now is the very best time to enjoy time away in the scenic Outer Banks of North Carolina and an exploration of all the lighthouses on the Outer Banks. No matter when you arrive, how long you have to spare in the name of fun or how many others you travel alongside, having amazing accommodations in place can elevate the experience even further. That’s where Pirate’s Cove Realty comes in.
We offer guests access to luxurious, comfortable, and stylish vacation rentals in the Outer Banks that take your trip to the next level of excellence with every booking. Our team of property professionals is happy to handle the details of your stay so that you can focus on the well-deserved fun ahead. Browse our properties to learn more about our many exciting and inviting property options and how we can help you turn your travel plans into a reality soon. We look forward to seeing you in the Outer Banks this year! See our pet- friendly vacation rentals in Outer banks here!
