Travel Tips

Cape Hatteras lighthouse was the first lighthouse ever built in the USA to warn ships away from land. There were more than 600 ships that had gone down near the cape, this area was known as The Graveyard of the Atlantic. The first tower at 90ft was completed in 1803 but was named the worst lighthouse in the US by sea captains because the light was to dimm and not tall enough. After battling the ocean and elements for almost 60 years it was renovatedin 1854 with a boost to 150ft and givin a new lens, after the Civil War congress approved a new lighthouse, completed in 1870 the now standing 198ft tower could be seen for almost 20 miles out to sea. This lighthouse was moved back from the beach in 1999 due to the ocean taking more and more of the beach. You can climb this tower for a few dollars and 256 steps for some fantastic views at the top.
For more info please see our Hatteras pages,

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse 1870

Currituck Beach lighthouse was last major new lighthouse to be built on the South Atlantic Coast. Too many ship wrecks between Cape Henry VA. & Bodie Island NC., about 80 miles of coast with no light, so in 1873 the lighthouse board found that Whale's Head Hill on Currituck Beach was the Half way point and began work there in 1874. Work completed December, 1 1875 and lit with a first-order lens and 158ft tall could be seen for 19 miles out. You can climb the 214 steps for $6.00, children under 7 free. The fee goes toward restoration work of the lighthouse. Open daily 10:00am to 6:00pm Phone is 453-8152 for more information please see our Corolla pages soon to come.

Currituck Beach Lighthouse 1875

Bodie Island is one beautiful lighthouse. This is the third to be built on this location, this one was lighted in 1872. With a first-order light, it's visible for nineteen miles. The first lighthouse was 1 foot out of plum, and $1,400.00 had to be spent to straighten the tower. In 1854 a new fourth-order lens was installed, by 1859 the tower was beyond repair. A new one was built for $25,000.00, 80 feet tall with a third-order lens, lit July 1 1859 and 1861 the war leved. This tower was finished and lit on october 1 1872 with a first order lens that can be seen for nineteen miles at 156 ft above sea level. The tower today is on auto pilot, also has a museum.
For more information see our Nags Head Page

Bodie Island Lighthouse, South Nags Head NC

Ocracoke Island lighthouse is the 2nd, the 1st was built and finished in 1803 by Dearborn who also built the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse at the same time. The 1st was struck by lightning in August 1818 which destroyed the tower & the keepers house. The new lighthouse that you see today was relocated to the banks near Silver Lake Harbor and completed in 1823. This lighthouse is one of the oldest in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and one of the oldest still active on the South Atlantic Coast. The tower is closed to the public but the ground are open. For info please see our Ocracoke Island page,

Ocracoke Lighthouse 1823

The Harbour Town Lighthouse was built in 1970, this lighthouse is not maintained by the Coast Guard and is NOT officially a lighthouse, though it does have a beacon which does assist boats coming in the waterways. Charles E. Fraser developed much of the island and built the lighthouse. The lighthouse has a store at the top and has great views to reward you when you reach the top. It was built as a tourist attraction and has been most successful in becoming the identification symbol for Hilton Head Island.

Harbour Town, Hilton Head Island, SC

St. Simon Lighthouse, 1815, replaced many times, 1st one was a harbor light then a coastal light replace it. Located on the southern point of St Simons Island it marked the entrance to St Simons Sound. The lighthouse board raised the status in 1857 by installing a 3rd order lens. Civil war destroyed it. In 1870 work on the new one was started and completed in 1872 and lit in Sept. It can be seen for 16 miles and is still working to date.
For more info on this great island please see our St Simons Island page,

St. Simons Island Georgia

saintsimonslighthouse.org

912-638-4666

Key West Lighthouse was built in 1847, put the Wreckers out of business.
88 steps to balcony, and 10 more to light.
Open Daily 9:30-5:00
For more information see our Key West pages

Key West Lighthouse, Key West FL

Sanibel Island Lighthouse was requested by islanders in 1833, comissioned in 1877, and built in 1884. First lit in August 1884, and manned until 1949. Now, fully automatic, the light shines on to this day
For more information see our Sanibel Island Page

Sanibel Island Lighthouse, Sanibel Island, FL