This red-brick lighthouse towers above the northern Outer Banks landscape in the historic Corolla Village. Visitors can climb the winding staircase, 220 steps in all, to the top of the lighthouse for a panoramic view of Currituck Sound, the Atlantic Ocean and the Currituck Outer Banks. Inside the lighthouse, at the base and on the first two landings, there are museum-quality lighthouse exhibits. On the way up or down, stop to learn about the history of coastal lighthouses, the Fresnel lens, shipwrecks and the lighthouse keepers. The Currituck Beach Lighthouse is known as a first order lighthouse, which means it has the largest of seven Fresnel lens sizes. With a 20-second flash cycle (on for 3 seconds, off for 17 seconds), the light can be seen for 18 nautical miles. The distinctive sequence enables the lighthouse not only to warn mariners but also to help identify their locations. Like the other lighthouses on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, this one still serves as an aid to navigation. The beacon comes on automatically every evening at dusk and ceases at dawn.

Admission
$10 to climb lighthouse tower
Children age 7 & under climb free with constant adult supervision.
A special rate of $6 per person is available for groups over 15.

Rules

• Admission to the grounds and the museum shop is free, along with parking.
• There are no height restrictions for climbers.
• Children 7 and under must have constant adult supervision.
• There is risk in climbing a building that was built before modern building codes existed. All visitors must accept this risk for themselves and their minor children before admission.