By: Jennifer Jeffcoat
Jennifer writes for Brindley Beach Vacations and Sales, sharing vacation planning tips, travel insights, and property highlights to help guests make the most of their time in the Outer Banks and Hatteras Island, NC.
The Outer Banks has one of the most impressive concentrations of historic lighthouses on the entire East Coast. Five lighthouses stand along this narrow stretch of barrier islands, each with its own story of shipwrecks, storms, Civil War drama, and the keepers who tended them through it all. If you're planning a trip to the OBX, building a lighthouse tour into your itinerary is one of the best ways to experience the region's maritime heritage firsthand.
We put together this guide, complete with an OBX lighthouse map, so you can hit all five during your visit.
In This Article:
- OBX Lighthouse Map
- Currituck Beach Lighthouse
- Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
- Bodie Island Lighthouse
- Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
- Ocracoke Lighthouse
- Plan Your Stay Near the Lighthouses
- Frequently Asked Questions
OBX Lighthouse Map
Use this custom map to plan a day around a lighthouse visit. All five lighthouses are plotted in order from Corolla in the north to Ocracoke in the south. While you may not see them all in one trip, this OBX lighthouse map will help you find the ones nearest your Brindley Beach vacation rental, plus nearby restaurants and shops, so you can craft a full day of exploration.
Explore Outer Banks Lighthouse Map
Currituck Beach Lighthouse
The Currituck Beach Lighthouse in the historic village of Corolla was built in 1875. It was the last brick lighthouse constructed in North Carolina, and its distinctive unpainted red brick was intentional: the natural color served as a daytime identifier, setting it apart from the painted towers to the south.
This is a first-order lighthouse, meaning it carries the largest class of Fresnel lens. On a clear night, that light reaches 18 nautical miles offshore. Inside, exhibits walk you through the lighthouse's role in both maritime and cultural history on the Outer Banks. The climb to the top offers sweeping views of Currituck Sound, the Atlantic Ocean, and the surrounding northern OBX landscape.
- Address: 1101 Corolla Village Rd, Corolla, NC 27927
- Hours: March 21 – November 30, daily 9 AM – 5 PM (extended to 8 PM Wed/Thu in June, July & August). Weather permitting.
- Admission: $13 per person, ages 4 and up (cash, check, or credit card; no advance ticketing)
Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
Head south to Manteo on Roanoke Island for a different kind of lighthouse experience. The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse sits at the end of a weathered boardwalk stretching 40 yards into Shallowbag Bay. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, it’s easy to mistake this one for a waterfront cottage. Standing only 37 feet tall, it’s modest in comparison to the other OBX lighthouses, but still served a very important purpose—guiding local fishermen and sailors to safety on the island.
The current structure, completed in 2004, is a replica of the original 1877 lighthouse. It was decommissioned in 1955 with the advent of modern navigational tools. Today, the replica houses educational exhibits inside, including an1800s Fresnel lens on loan from the U.S. Coast Guard. The outdoor boardwalk is open year-round, and you can visit the indoor exhibits in the summer, Tuesday through Saturday.
- Address: 104 Fernando St, Manteo, NC 27954
- Hours: Interior open Tuesday – Saturday, 9 AM – 5 PM (summer); boardwalk open year-round
- Admission: Free
Bodie Island Lighthouse
Just north of Cape Hatteras National Seashore's entrance, you'll find the Bodie Island Lighthouse—the third attempt to get a lighthouse standing on this stretch of coast. The first leaned and had to be abandoned; the second was deliberately blown up by Confederate troops in 1861. The current tower was finally completed and lit in 1872, fitted with a powerful first-order Fresnel lens, and has been a reliable navigational aid ever since.
Due to fire damage sustained in January 2025, the Bodie Island Double Keepers' Quarters (visitor center and park store) is closed. However, the grounds and surrounding marshland make for a scenic stop, even if you can't go inside.
- Address: 8210 Bodie Island Lighthouse Rd, Nags Head, NC 27959
- Admission: Free to explore the grounds
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the crown jewel on any OBX lighthouse map. Standing nearly 199 feet tall, it’s the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States. But the structure you can visit today looked drastically different when it was first built.
For starters, the original lighthouse was 60 feet shorter. However, the deadly waters off the coast, nicknamed the Graveyard of the Atlantic due to how many shipwrecks happened here, demanded a taller structure. Additionally, the original lighthouse was red brick on top and white on the bottom. Later, sailors needed a quick way to identify the structure from shore, so it’s iconic black and white spiral was added in 1873.
As if that weren’t enough structural change for one lighthouse, in 1999, beach erosion led to the relocation of the massive structure, along with its seven additional grounds buildings. Over the course of 23 days, a team moved the lighthouse almost 3,000 feet inland. Today, you can visit the grounds, but the interior is closed for renovations.
- Address: 46379 Lighthouse Rd, Buxton, NC 27920
- Admission: Free to tour the grounds. Tickets to climb to the top may have a cost once the interior reopens.
- Steps to the top: 269
Ocracoke Lighthouse
The southernmost lighthouse on the OBX lighthouse trail requires a ferry ride, but Ocracoke Island is worth every minute of the crossing. The Ocracoke Lighthouse has been in continuous operation since 1823, making it the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina and one of the oldest in the entire country.
At 75 feet, it's the second shortest of the five Outer Banks lighthouses, but don't let that undersell it. The solid white tower has walls five feet thick at the base and has stood through hurricanes, Civil War disruptions, and two centuries of coastal change. Today, its light is the equivalent of 8,000 candles and shines a light that’s visible 14 miles from shore.
- Address: Lighthouse Rd, Ocracoke, NC 27960
- Hours: Daily, year-round from sunrise to sunset
- Admission: Free (grounds)
Plan Your Stay Near Outer Banks Lighthouses
Featured Property: 4x1678, Turtle Trax
If seeing lighthouses in the Outer Banks is on your to-do list, then finding a home that puts you close to one or more of these landmarks is a must. That’s where Brindley Beach comes in! Our properties span from Corolla to Hatteras Island, making it easy to see these and many other wonderful parts of the OBX during your vacation. Explore oceanfront homes, properties with private pools, and even pet-friendly vacation rentals and find the spot that’s right for your crew today.
Remember, booking directly with Brindley Beach means you get the best rate on your stay by avoiding the extra fees of places like Airbnb or Vrbo. You can even check out our specials page for our latest deals! Start your search today and get ready for an incredible OBX vacation with Brindley Beach.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many lighthouses are on the Outer Banks?
There are five lighthouses along the Outer Banks: Currituck Beach Lighthouse (Corolla), Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse (Manteo), Bodie Island Lighthouse (Nags Head), Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (Buxton), and Ocracoke Lighthouse (Ocracoke Island).
Which OBX lighthouses can you climb?
Currituck Beach Lighthouse is currently the most accessible for climbing ($13 admission). Cape Hatteras Lighthouse climbing is temporarily unavailable, but is expected to reopen once renovation projects are complete.
Is there a lighthouse passport or stamp program for the Outer Banks?
Cape Hatteras National Seashore participates in the National Park Service Passport Stamp program. You can collect stamps at Bodie Island and Cape Hatteras visitor centers when they are open.
How long does it take to drive the OBX lighthouse trail?
Driving from Currituck Beach Lighthouse to the Hatteras/Ocracoke ferry terminal takes roughly 4 hours without stops, making it unlikely you’ll see them all on one trip to the OBX, unless you’re up for a day in the car. It’s best to use an Outer Banks lighthouse map to find the one closest to your rental, so you can plan a day around activities near the lighthouse.
What is the tallest lighthouse on the Outer Banks?
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse stands nearly 199 feet tall, making it the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States.
Are the Outer Banks lighthouses free to visit?
Most of the lighthouses are free to visit at the grounds level. Currituck Beach Lighthouse charges $13 to climb. Cape Hatteras, Bodie Island, Roanoke Marshes, and Ocracoke are all free to visit at their bases.