Lighthouses in Outer Banks: Guide to OBX Lighthouses

Outer Banks is a long stretch of barrier islands along the East coast of the US known for pristine beaches and loads of activities. There are 5 lighthouses in Outer Banks NC islands and each has its own unique beauty. From red bricks to black & white stripes to a completely white one, every one of them has a history of its own. Visiting the OBX lighthouses is one of the best things to do in the Outer Banks.

Did you know that the US’s largest brick lighthouse is in the Outer Banks? Did you know that one of the Outer Banks lighthouses was moved from its original location?

Read about them and many more interesting facts about Outer Banks and you will be amazed.

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Outer Banks Lighthouses Map

Check out the locations of the lighthouses on the Outer Banks.

Lighthouses of the Outer Banks

How many Outer Banks lighthouses are there?

Out of the 7 lighthouses in North Carolina, there are 5 lighthouses on Outer Banks barrier Islands spread from the Northern end to the southern end.

Currituck Beach Lighthouse at the north of OBX, Bodie Island Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and Ocracoke Lighthouse to the south of Outer Banks. There is also a relatively new lighthouse in Mateo built in 2004 – Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse created as a replica of the old structure that stood back in time.

Currituck Beach Lighthouse

Address: 1101 Corolla Village Rd, Corolla, NC 27927, United States

Number of Steps: 220

Located close to Corolla Beach, the Currituck Beach lighthouse grabs your attention. Made of bricks, this red color lighthouse is beautiful with views of the Currituck Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. The lighthouse was built way back in 1875 and the beacon is still functional, flashing lights every 20 sec.

The lighthouse has 220 stairs to climb to the top but is only open from Spring to fall. Do check the exact dates on the website.

Besides the lighthouse, the grounds around it are beautiful and worth spending time on. Take a stroll to the Whalehead Club, a beautiful historic mansion close to the lighthouse. During summer, there are many activities in Historic Corolla Park that are fun to attend.

Admission Ticket: USD 10 for 4 years and above to climb the stairs to the top. Kids below 3 years can climb free of charge. Children 12 years and younger can only climb when accompanied by an adult.

Timings: 9 am – 5 pm

Interesting Read: Best Beaches on the East Coast for Families

Bodie Island Lighthouse

Address: 8210 Bodie Island Lighthouse Road, Nags Head, North Carolina 27959

Number of steps: 214

Bodie (pronounced ‘body’) Island Lighthouse, located at the south of Nags Head is an important lighthouse that has helped many ships navigate the treacherous waters of this area. With black and white horizontal stripes, this beautiful lighthouse is located amidst greenery and can’t go unnoticed. The location of the lighthouse is unique as it is surrounded by marshy grasslands and is part of Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Next to the lighthouse is the light keeper’s room which has now been remodeled into the ranger station and Outer Banks Information Center.

This OBX Lighthouse makes a perfect backdrop for beautiful pictures.

The lighthouse is open for climbing in summer from May to Columbus Day. The lighthouse is also open to climb on some full moonlight for which tickets need to be purchased 3 days prior.

Admission Ticket: USD 10 for adults and USD 5 for senior citizens and kids 11 years and below.

Timings: 9 am – 5:30 pm

Read More: Best Outer Banks hotels NC: Where to stay in Outer Banks

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Address: 46379 Lighthouse Road, Buxton, North Carolina 27920

Number of steps: 257

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, built way back in 1803 is the largest brick lighthouse in the US. It is visible with the spiral white and black stripes and octagon-shaped red brick base. It is located on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore with amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean. There are 257 stairs to climb at the top that open during May – November

Did you know that in 1999, the entire lighthouse was moved from the old shore location to the current location? It took 23 days to move the structure 1500ft away. Since the lighthouse was located on the beach, the continuous beach erosion led to the decision and meticulous planning to move the lighthouse from the beach location to the current spot.

Admission Ticket: USD 8 for adults and USD 4 for senior citizens and kids 11 years and below is charges to climb the stairs.

Timings: 9 am – 4:30 pm

Note: Climbing the stairs at Cape Hatteras lighthouse is closed as of September 2021.

Read Later: Best Places to Visit on the East Coast USA

Ocracoke Island Lighthouse

Address: 360 Lighthouse Rd, Ocracoke, NC 27960

Ocracoke Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina and the second oldest operational lighthouse in the US, built in 1823. This beautiful white color Lighthouse is located in the Ocracoke village. The lighthouse is 75 ft tall. Since the island is small, it is easy to walk or ride a bike to the lighthouse.

The lighthouse is not open for climbing by tourists, but it is worth visiting. There is a small replica of the lighthouse at the entrance. Visiting the Ocracoke Lighthouse is one of the best things to do on Ocracoke Island.

Admission Ticket: It is free for visitors.

Read More: Ocracoke Island in North Carolina

Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse

Address: Located opposite to Maritime Museum at 104 Fernando Street, Manteo 27954

One of the most overlooked lighthouses in the Outer Banks, Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is located in Manteo. Unlike the tall coastal lighthouses, Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is a small cottage-like structure on the Roanoke Sound. Roanoke lighthouse is a River lighthouse to guard the inland rivers and channels. The cottage is white in color with a red roof and a beacon at the top. The lighthouse is situated 40 yards into the Roanoke Sound at the end of a long boardwalk making it a picturesque sight.

It is beautiful to visit at sunset and makes for a great photo opportunity.

The Roanoke lighthouse is the third replica of the old lighthouses that were lost to environmental causes. The current one was built in 2004. Visitors can enter the lighthouse and see the exhibits depicting the history of the lighthouse. There is a Maritime Museum in the vicinity that can be visited as well.

Timings: 8:30 am – 5 pm (Monday to Friday)

Read More: Best Outer Banks Vacation Rentals

Things to Take Care of while Climbing the OBX Lighthouses

1. The stairs to the top of the lighthouse are narrow and there is no cooling. So it can get hot and humid and claustrophobic. If you suffer from medical ailments, do keep that in mind
2. Carry water along to keep yourself hydrated all the time.
3. Be careful if there are kids climbing along. We would refrain from taking infants and toddlers as they need to be carried along.
4. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes while climbing the steps.
5. Do call the lighthouse in advance to check if the lighthouse is open and the time.

We loved visiting 4 out of 5 lighthouses of Outer Banks and it was a spectacular sight. Visiting the lighthouses in OBX is a must during the trip.

Which lighthouses on the Outer Banks have you visited? Did you get a chance to climb atop any lighthouses OBX? Do share your views in the comments.

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