Standing at 162 feet and first lit on Dec. 1, 1875, this beacon filled the remaining dark spot on the North Carolina coast between the Cape Henry and Bodie Island lighthouses. The Currituck Beach Lighthouse is distinguished by its unpainted red brick exterior, setting it apart from other lighthouses along the Outer Banks. The lighthouse's beacon, which can be seen for 18 nautical miles, comes on at dusk every evening.
The Currituck Beach Lighthouse is one of only a few lighthouses in America that still houses its original first-order Fresnel lens, which continues to flash today at 20-second intervals, serving as a navigational aid to guide ships along the Northern Outer Banks waters.
Image
Baxter Miller
Step by Step
The average climb takes anywhere from five to 20 minutes, but you are welcome to go at whatever pace you like. There are nine landings for viewing and resting on the way up, so take your time and enjoy the views.
Image
Baxter Miller
Skyline to Shoreline in Sight
Visitors who climb the 220 steps all the way to the top of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse are rewarded with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, Currituck Sound and the historic Corolla Village.
