Friends of Oak Island Lighthouse: Located on Oak Island, Not Caswell Beach

The Friends of the Oak Island Lighthouse organization is based on Oak Island, North Carolina — not in Caswell Beach. The two are adjacent Brunswick County beach towns, but the lighthouse and its support group are on Oak Island.

Oak Island Lighthouse Facts

• Location: 300A E Caswell Beach Rd, Oak Island, NC 28465 (on Coast Guard Station Oak Island property)
• Built: 1958 (replaced 1849 Price's Creek Light)
• Height: 153 ft (47 m) — one of US's last brick lighthouses
• Light: 4 x 1,000W LEDs (2010); 20 nm range; 4 white flashes/10 sec
• Status: Active aid to navigation; owned by Town of Oak Island; maintained by USCG

Friends of Oak Island Lighthouse (FOIL)

• Mission: Preserve, promote, provide public access
• Tours: Seasonal (Wed/Sat 10 AM–2 PM, Memorial Day–Labor Day); 131 steps to top
• Events: National Lighthouse Day (Aug 7), holiday lights, educational programs
• Contact: oakislandlighthouse.org; FOIL, PO Box 1203, Oak Island, NC 28465

Caswell Beach vs. Oak Island

• Caswell Beach: East end of Oak Island (incorporated 1975); ~400 residents; primarily residential; Fort Caswell (historic/retreat center).
• Oak Island: West/central (incorporated 1999); ~8,000 residents; commercial, marinas, lighthouse, pier.
• Shared: Barrier island (Oak Island), beach strand, Brunswick County.

Visiting

Park at Oak Island Recreation Center (3003 E Oak Island Dr) — walk 0.3 mi to lighthouse. No parking at Coast Guard station. Check website for tour status (weather/COVID/USCG ops affect access).