6 Must-See Lighthouses in the Outer Banks

I only visited two lighthouses on my first trip to the Outer Banks (OBX) because I didn’t realize there were so many! I always associated coastal lighthouses with the Northeast. Little did I know, I had a treasure trove in my backyard.

I just returned from my second trip to the OBX, and I fell even more in love with the area. If you read my blog post on things to do in the Outer Banks, you know that I’ve been kicking myself over the fact that it took me almost 25 years to visit this part of NC.

It has been a dream of mine to have an A-frame in the NC mountains that we’d rent out anytime we aren’t there, and now I think I’m going to need a small beach cottage somewhere on the OBX to do the same (not happening anytime soon, but a girl can dream).

The beauty and history of these lighthouses make them an incredibly special part of NC. In this post, I’m sharing an Outer Banks lighthouses list you’ll want to have handy if you’re planning an Outer Banks vacation!

How Many Lighthouses are in the Outer Banks?

Technically, there are six lighthouses on the Outer Banks, but most Google searches will pull a list of the “5 lighthouses of the Outer Banks.”

The list will include (from north to south) — Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, Bodie Island Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and Ocracoke Lighthouse. There’s a 6th lighthouse on Cape Lookout National Seashore, the southernmost portion of the OBX, named Cape Lookout Lighthouse.

Oh, and if you’ve seen the popular Netflix show “Outer Banks,” know there’s no Redfield Lighthouse on the Outer Banks (or anywhere for that matter). The Outer Banks show lighthouse is Morris Island Lighthouse in South Carolina.

Lighthouses Outer Banks Map

Click to open the map in Google Maps!

Are the lighthouses open year-round?

You can see the lighthouses no matter when you visit the OBX! The grounds remain open year-round and it’s always free to stop by. Climbing the lighthouses, however, is a seasonal activity and there is a per-person fee, which varies by the lighthouse (more on that below).

Depending on where you stay, you will find that some are easier to visit than others. Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, Bodie Island Lighthouse, and Cape Hatteras Lighthouse will be easy to visit if you stay anywhere from the Northern Beaches of the OBX down to Hatteras Island.

If you stay on Ocracoke Island, it’ll be easy to visit Ocracoke Lighthouse and not as convenient to visit the others – the same goes for Cape Lookout (due to these spots only being accessible by ferry).

Read More: 12 Adventurous Things to Do in the Outer Banks

Which OBX lighthouses can you climb?

You can climb 4 of the 6 OBX lighthouses – Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Bodie Island Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and Cape Lookout Lighthouse. This leaves Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse and Ocracoke Lighthouse as the two you cannot climb.

Each lighthouse has a different climbing season and cost – keep reading for more info! Know that lighthouse climbs are subject to temporary closures for weather and restoration efforts even during climbing season.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and Cape Lookout Lighthouse will NOT be open for climbing in 2022 due to ongoing restoration efforts.

# 1: Currituck Beach Lighthouse

• Location: 1101 Corolla Village Rd, Corolla, NC 27927
• Height: 162ft
• Year completed: 1875
• Climbable? Yes

I completely missed this lighthouse on my first trip to the Outer Banks. I was only in the area for the afternoon, and I was so hyper-focused on driving on the 4×4 beaches that I overlooked this gem. I’m glad I made my way back to see it on a subsequent trip because WOW.

Currituck Beach Lighthouse is in Corolla (pronounced Cor-RAH-lah), which just might be my favorite area in the Outer Banks. It’s not nearly as commercialized as Kitty Hawk/Kill Devil Hills/Nags Head, but it’s not so far away from everything that you can’t get to the “main” spots with ease, which can be difficult from somewhere that requires a ferry ride like Ocracoke.

At 162ft tall, this lighthouse is the third tallest lighthouse on the OBX. The fact that they left this lighthouse unpainted makes it unique and is one of my favorite things about it – you can get a feel for how many bricks it took to make this structure (over a million)!

You can visit the grounds year-round, but the climbing season runs from mid-March until December or so each year. Check here for up-to-date hours and pricing.

Pro tip: After exploring the Currituck Beach Lighthouse grounds, stop by Historic Corolla Park for a picnic. There’s a beautiful bridge and gazebo. You can see the top of Currituck Lighthouse in the distance! If you’re in the mood to go for a nature stroll, check out Currituck Banks Coastal Estuarine Reserve and explore one of the Outer Banks’ beautiful maritime forests. Both spots are just minutes away from the lighthouse.

# 2: Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse

Location: 104 Fernando St, Manteo, NC 27954
Height: 37ft
Year completed: 2004
Climbable? No

Some articles don’t count Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse as one of the lighthouses in the Outer Banks, and I don’t know why… possibly because it’s smaller and somewhat off the beaten path, but it’s an OBX lighthouse nonetheless. It’s the only river lighthouse, which makes it extra special! The lighthouse is in Manteo, which is on Roanoke Island – such a cute part of the OBX that people overlook because it’s not along the main route!

As with many of the other lighthouses on this list, the lighthouse we see today is not the original. The current lighthouse is a replica of the third version of the lighthouse. The first two versions of the lighthouse couldn’t withstand the environmental conditions. The third iteration of the lighthouse eventually grew obsolete and was sold to a private owner in the 1950s. An unsuccessful attempt to move the lighthouse inland resulted in the loss of the lighthouse. In the early 2000s, the town of Manteo began the process of constructing a replica.

Today, visitors can admire the lighthouse and the Roanoke Sound from the boardwalk year-round. If you happen to be visiting during peak season (April – September), you can explore the interior of the lighthouse. Make sure to also stop by the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum while you’re in the area!

# 3: Bodie Island Lighthouse

• Location: 8210 Bodie Island Lighthouse Rd, Nags Head, NC 27959
• Height: 156ft
• Year completed: 1872
• Climbable? Yes

An hour south of Currituck Beach Lighthouse, you’ll find Bodie Island Lighthouse. This one has a special place in my heart because it’s the first lighthouse I visited on the Outer Banks! I’ll never forget the magical, golden glow the sunrise cast on the lighthouse – I can definitively say that’s the moment I fell in love with the OBX.

While there is no Kitty Hawk lighthouse, this one is pretty close! Its proximity to the towns of Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head makes it easily accessible. It would be a great add-on if you’re planning to visit other attractions in the area such as the Wright Brothers Memorial or Jockeys Ridge State Park.

The lighthouse we see today is the third iteration. Like many of the other lighthouses in the Outer Banks, it has been through a lot. The first version was abandoned, and Confederate troops destroyed the second version. Eventually, the lighthouse was rebuilt as it serves an important purpose – filling the gap between Currituck Beach Lighthouse and Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

The boardwalk at Bodie Island Lighthouse is open 24 hours a day all year. I haven’t personally stargazed here, but I’ve heard it’s a great spot to admire the stars at night! Plus, you can get an even better appreciation for the light put off by the beacon when it’s nice and dark out.

The climbing season at Bodie Island Lighthouse runs from mid-April until mid-November or so each year. Check here for up-to-date hours and pricing.

# 4: Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

• Location: 46379 Lighthouse Rd, Buxton, NC 27920
• Height: 198ft
• Year completed: 1870
• Climbable? Yes (*but NOT in 2022)

According to the National Park Service, “Due to ongoing restoration efforts the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse will not be available for climbing in 2022.” Visit the NPS website for more information.

In my opinion, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse has more of an attraction feel than the other lighthouses on this list (not at all in a bad way). It’s kind of a big deal considering it’s the tallest lighthouse in the United States. It’s a must for any OBX itinerary!

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse has a long and impressive history! The first few iterations looked very different from the 198ft black and white painted lighthouse that stands today. It’s even in a different location to protect it from shoreline erosion. If you’re wondering why it went through so many changes, that would be because structural updates were necessary for the lighthouse to do a better job at warning ships about the Graveyard of the Atlantic – an area notorious for shipwrecks.

The climbing season at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse runs from mid-April until mid-November or so each year. However, this lighthouse will NOT be open for climbing in 2022. Check here for the most up-to-date information.

Read More: Horseback Riding on the Outer Banks

Stop by Orange Blossom Bakery for an Apply Ugly while you’re in the Buxton area. They’re open from 6:30AM to 11AM seven days a week. I PROMISE you’ll thank me after you bite into one of the most divine pastries you’ve ever eaten in your life.

# 5: Ocracoke Lighthouse

• Location: 360 Lighthouse Rd, Ocracoke, NC 27960 (*ferry required)
• Height: 75ft
• Year completed: 1823
• Climbable? No

If you’re staying on Ocracoke Island, you’ll have no trouble accessing this gem. Ocracoke is small, so it’ll probably be a matter of minutes from wherever you’re staying. It’s not hard to get to the lighthouse from elsewhere, but you’ll need to take a ferry (you have to take a ferry to get to Ocracoke regardless). You can take a ferry from Hatteras, Cedar Island, or Swan Quarter. Check the NCDOT ferry schedule to plan your trip.

At just 75ft tall, Ocracoke Lighthouse is significantly shorter than the other OBX lighthouses. However, that doesn’t mean it’s any less important! According to the NPS, “Ocracoke Lighthouse is the second-oldest operating lighthouse in the nation.”

Lightning destroyed the original lighthouse in 1818, and the lighthouse we see today was finished in 1823. The solid white exterior of this lighthouse served as its defining feature to sailors passing through Ocracoke Inlet.

You cannot climb this lighthouse, but you can visit the grounds and walk right up to it. You’ll find the lighthouse in a small residential area, which fits the vibe of Ocracoke perfectly. You can tell that things are slower-paced (in a good way) on Ocracoke Island as soon as you come off the ferry.

Don’t miss Eduardo’s Tacos or Springer’s Point Preserve while you’re on the island.

# 6: Cape Lookout Lighthouse

• Location: 1800 Island Rd, Harkers Island, NC 28531 (*ferry required)
• Height: 163ft
• Year completed: 1859
• Climbable? Yes

According to the National Park Service, “Cape Lookout Lighthouse is scheduled to begin a major renovation beginning the fall/winter of 2021. We expect the renovation to take two years to complete.” The lighthouse is expected to reopen for climbing in 2023. Visit the NPS website for more information.

Cape Lookout Lighthouse is the southernmost lighthouse on the Outer Banks. And just like Ocracoke, a boat ride is required to get there. It’s easy to visit the other five lighthouses in one trip, but I recommend saving Cape Lookout for a separate excursion – it makes for the perfect day trip from Beaufort!

Passenger ferries to Cape Lookout leave from the towns of Harkers Island and Beaufort. If you wanted to come from Ocracoke, you’d need to take the vehicle ferry to Cedar Island (2 hr ferry ride), drive to Harkers Island (1 hr drive), and then take the passenger ferry to Cape Lookout (20 min ferry ride). It’s doable but requires extensive planning as the Cedar Island ferry only runs a few times throughout the day (reservations are recommended).

The original lighthouse was replaced with the current 163ft lighthouse after being deemed too short (as was the case with Cape Hatteras Lighthouse). The current lighthouse has a distinctive black-and-white diamond pattern. This pattern differentiates it from the other black and white OBX lighthouse – Bodie Island Lighthouse.

After admiring the lighthouse, spend some time exploring the undeveloped beaches along Cape Lookout National Seashore. Make sure to pack anything you might need for the day as facilities are limited! In my opinion, the ruggedness of Cape Lookout National Seashore adds to its charm.

The climbing season at Cape Lookout Lighthouse runs from mid-May until mid-September each year. Again, this lighthouse will NOT be open for climbing in 2022. Check here for the most up-to-date information.

Have you been to any of the OBX lighthouses? If so, which one is your favorite? I think it’d be a tie between Currituck Beach Lighthouse and Bodie Island Lighthouse if I had to pick! Make sure to add these spots to your list if you’re planning an OBX trip.