Lighthouses are the signature landmarks of the Outer Banks, built because the coast was one of the most dangerous stretches of the Atlantic for sailors. Shifting sandbars, strong currents and sudden storms wrecked ships so often that the area earned the name Graveyard of the Atlantic. The towers that went up along the islands in the nineteenth century were meant to warn mariners, and each was given its own look so that sailors could tell them apart by day. Today they are the best-known sights on the islands, and visiting them in sequence makes a satisfying trip.
Currituck Beach Lighthouse
At the northern end, in Corolla, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse stands 162 feet tall and is left in its natural red brick. It was first lit in 1875 to fill a dark gap between Cape Henry and Bodie Island. In season you can climb its 214 steps for a view over the sound and the maritime forest. The grounds include a restored keepers’ house and sit in Historic Corolla Village, close to the wild horse museum and the Whalehead Club.
Bodie Island Lighthouse
Near Nags Head, the Bodie Island Lighthouse is about 156 feet tall with bold horizontal black and white bands. The present tower dates from 1872 and is the third on the site. It reopened for climbing in 2013 after a restoration, and the climb has 214 steps. The National Park Service runs timed climbs in season, with tickets sold in advance. A boardwalk beside the tower crosses a marsh and pond, which is good for birds.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
In Buxton, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the star: about 198 feet tall, with black and white spiral stripes, the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States. It was first lit in 1870, and in 1999 it was moved roughly 2,900 feet inland to save it from the encroaching sea. It has 257 steps. Climbing is seasonal and ticketed, and the grounds and keepers’ quarters are open to everyone. Cape Point, a short drive away, is a dramatic beach where ocean currents collide.
Ocracoke Lighthouse
On Ocracoke Island, the whitewashed Ocracoke Lighthouse dates from 1823 and is the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina. At about 75 feet it is much shorter than the others, and the tower is not open for climbing, but visitors can see the base and the grounds, set in the heart of the village. It is reached by the free ferry from Hatteras.
How to see them in one trip
Drive from north to south: Currituck first, then Bodie Island, then Cape Hatteras, then Ocracoke by ferry. The full sequence takes two or three days at a relaxed pace, since the drive from Corolla to Buxton is about two hours without traffic. You can see the three main towers in one long day from a base in Nags Head if you leave early.
Climbing tips
The climbs are physically demanding, with narrow spiral stairs and many steps. Wear comfortable shoes, bring water and allow time for the queue. Children must meet the minimum height or age, and some climbs limit group size. Dates, hours and ticket rules change each year, so check the National Park Service and lighthouse pages before you go, and have a backup plan if wind or maintenance closes a tower.
Photography
The best light is early morning and late afternoon. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse photographs well from the beach side, Bodie Island from the marsh boardwalk and Currituck from the village lawn. Full moon climbs, offered on some dates at Bodie Island, give a special view.
Learn more
The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras village and the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station in Rodanthe tell the human side of the story, the shipwrecks and the rescuers. Pair a lighthouse day with one of these museums for context.
Weather and safety
Lightning, wind and heat can close the climbs. Carry a layer in cool months and avoid the stairs in thunderstorms. Check road conditions before driving south, since NC 12 can flood.
Planning the climbs
Because tickets and schedules change, decide which tower matters most and plan the rest around it. For many visitors that is Cape Hatteras, with its record-setting height and the story of its move. Families with young children may prefer the grounds and exhibits at several towers over a single long climb. Keep a flexible mind: even if a climb is closed, the Outer Banks lighthouses are impressive from the ground, and the settings, from marsh to dune to forest, are part of the pleasure.