Take the Lighthouse Tour Through the Northern Side of the Outer Banks

The Outer Banks is home to some of the most spectacular and iconic lighthouses in the world. When most people think of a lighthouse here, they very likely have a version of the jaw-dropping Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in their mind or a lighthouse that embodies the adventurous spirit of the Roanoke marshlands and coast.

For roughly 200 years, the Outer Banks has housed spectacles of concrete towers, equipped with a breathtakingly powerful light that spreads over the Atlantic’s horizon. The northern Outer Banks contains many of the east coast’s premier lighthouse attractions, and visitors can see them all in some acclaimed coastal tours.

Currituck Beach Lighthouse

Starting outside the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse is a masterpiece of design. It can be found far north, on the fringes of the Outer Banks in Corolla. The 220 steps scale 162 feet. The dark coloration of pastel brown makes for a peculiar visual as it sits up in the sky.

The lighthouse was built in 1873, making it a pivotal part of Outer Banks history. It consists of about one million bricks in three feet thick walls by the top and almost six feet at its base.
You can access the grounds for free, but the entrance to the lighthouse is $10 per person (children 7 and under are free). The grounds are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. You can contact the lighthouse at (252) 453-4939. They are located at 1101 Corolla Village Rd in Corolla.

Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse

Take it down south to Nags Head and head to Roanoke Island about a 1-hour drive away to see the fascinating Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse. The signs can’t possibly be missed, even though the lighthouse is not as readily apparent as many others.

It borrows a different design style. Instead of the soaring tower into the sky, this lighthouse features a screw-pile design style. The term comes from, quite literally, a structure which is screwed into the sandy underbelly of marshes and estuaries. The lighthouse style was incorporated to assist boats coming into the coastal waterways.

The lighthouse is an oddity and a necessary stop for its peculiar design and the surroundings. The lighthouse sits about 40 yards into the Roanoke Sound at the end of a stunning pier. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours may vary seasonally so please contact 252-475-1750 for details.

Bodie Island Lighthouse

Located about 20 minutes from the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, the current Bodie Island Lighthouse represents the third construction to spring up on the site.

The Bodie Island Lighthouse may also be the quintessential lighthouse design style. Crafted with granite, cast iron, and stone, most notably, this 156-foot lighthouse soars high with its traditional black and white striped exterior.

The lighthouse was originally built to save lives just south of Nags Head on Pea Island. Lieutenant Napoleon L. Coste made note of the location by declaring “more vessels are lost there than on any other part of our coast”. The lighthouse captures a significant and enthralling piece of Outer Banks history.

The lighthouse is accessible from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. It is the culmination of a vivid and history-driven tour along the Outer Banks’ major lighthouse attractions.

Take an unforgettable lighthouse tour, from the Currituck Beach Lighthouse to the fascinating Roanoke Marshes and Bodie Island Lighthouses. The journey is like no other, a portal into a nostalgic world we are not so distant from after all. The Bodie Island Lighthouse is located at 8210 Bodie Island Lighthouse in Nags Head.

Our Outer Banks vacation rentals provide you a firsthand look at these incredible attractions and the expansive beaches, nature parks and other outdoor activities along the Atlantic coast. Plan your vacation today!