Outer Banks Lighthouses: Six Historic Beacons of North Carolina
The Iconic OBX Lights
- Currituck Beach Light (Corolla): 1875, 158 ft, unpainted brick, active
- Bodie Island Light (Nags Head): 1872, 170 ft, black/white bands, active
- Cape Hatteras Light (Buxton): 1870, 198 ft, tallest brick in US, spiraled bands, active (moved 1999)
- Ocracoke Light (Ocracoke Island): 1823, 75 ft, oldest operating in NC, white, active
- Portsmouth Village Light (Portsmouth): 1982, 55 ft, replica, active (original 1853 destroyed)
- Roanoke Marshes Light (Manteo): 1912, 50 ft, screwpile cottage style, inactive (museum)
Visitor Tips
- Cape Hatteras & Bodie Island: climbable (seasonal)
- Currituck: climbable
- Ocracoke: not climbable (but grounds open)
- Ferry needed for Ocracoke & Portsmouth
- All in Cape Hatteras National Seashore except Currituck (north) & Roanoke Marshes (Roanoke Island)
These lighthouses define the Outer Banks' maritime heritage and are major tourist draws.
Wanderlust World