The most famous lighthouse in North Carolina, and one of the most well-known lighthouses in America, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States, measuring 198.49 feet from the bottom of the foundation to the top of the tower's pinnacle.
It was first built in 1803 to protect a stretch of the Outer Banks along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic. The light was essential to coastal safety because offshore of Cape Hatteras, the Gulf Stream running from the south collides with the Labrador Current coming from the north. The resulting current forces southbound ships into a dangerous sandbar called Diamond Shoals. The collision of currents makes for treacherous waters, but also creates a fishing paradise.
Please note: The lighthouse is currently closed for climbing due to ongoing restoration efforts.
Climb the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse from late April through mid-October for sweeping views of the Atlantic and Outer Banks. For an even more unforgettable experience, special night-climbing sessions offer a rare chance to see the coast lit by moonlight and stars.
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Baxter Miller
The Move of the Millennium
In what became known as the "Move of the Millennium," the lighthouse's entire structure was relocated down the beach as the sea nearly claimed it through erosion. The lighthouse was moved 2,900 feet in 23 days in a move that set a Guinness World Record and won the Opal Award for Civil Engineering.
The Ghost Cat of Hatteras
First in Fright
Beyond its engaging history, the lighthouse has a ghostly side. A spectral cat, known for brushing against visitors’ legs before vanishing, has become a chilling legend of its own along with sightings of a shadowy gray figure believed to be a phantom keepers. These unexplained phenomena make the lighthouse an unmissable stop on our Creepy Coast road trip. For even more spooky coastal lore, listen to our First in Fright Creepy Coast episode.
