Lighthouses

Spotlight on Lighthouses in the Brunswick Islands

Along the coast of North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands is a beach activity perfect for any family looking for adventure or educational experience. This year, why not add an exhilarating item to your bucket list and discover an elevated, 360-degree scenic view of the Atlantic Ocean and inland waters of the Cape Fear River? The Oak Island Lighthouse, standing just over 150 feet, offers the perfect opportunity to see some amazing coastal views. Venture up the unique 131 steps to the observation platform and capture exceptional aerial photos of Oak Island, Caswell Beach, and the seemingly endless ocean. But this isn’t your normal lighthouse excursion – within the Oak Island Lighthouse, the steps leading to the observation platform are ships’ ladders, not the typical spiral staircase found in most lighthouses.

Oak Island Lighthouse

The Oak Island Lighthouse, located on Caswell Beach, is the newest of the North Carolina lighthouses, with construction completed in 1958. For the first five years of the lighthouse’s operation, the lights projected to sailors were the brightest in the United States and the second brightest in the world. The lighthouse used carbon-arc mercury lamps that generated 70 million candle power. The lighthouse later converted to four 1,000-watt halogen bulbs that produced 2.5 million candle power that could be seen for 16 miles. In December of 2020, a new LED rotating fixture was installed - the first of its kind in the United States. The Oak Island Lighthouse light can now be seen for 25 miles out to sea. 

Tours to the top of the lighthouse are available all year long by appointment for climbers nine years of age and older. Tour appointments must be made through the Oak Island Lighthouse website, at least two weeks in advance. In the summer season, visitors are encouraged to book their tours up to six weeks in advance. The Oak Island Lighthouse is located at 300 Caswell Beach Rd, Caswell Beach, NC 28465. 

Old Baldy Lighthouse

 Just across the waters of the Cape Fear River from the Oak Island Lighthouse stands the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina, Old Baldy. The lighthouse, located on Bald Head Island, was built in 1817 and has maintained its original form and location for over 200 years. This historic landmark has 108 steps, five landings, and is 110 feet tall.

While no longer an active lighthouse, Old Baldy is open for visitors to enjoy and climb to the top for a breathtaking view of the area’s natural beauty. Take an in-depth island tour with a knowledgeable guide or purchase a ticket to climb to the top. Check with The Old Baldy Foundation's website for seasonal hours and opening dates. Ferry reservations can be made in advance by calling 910-457-5003. Old Baldy Lighthouse is located at 101 Lighthouse Wynd, just a short walk from the island’s ferry landing.