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Lighthouses in North Carolina

16 lighthouses in North Carolina with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. Brunswick County has the most (6). The darkest skies are at Diamond Shoal Light (Bortle 1).

Top lighthouses

Bodie Island LightLighthouse
Bodie Island LightDare County
Cape Hatteras LighthouseLighthouse
Cape Hatteras LighthouseDare County
Currituck Beach LighthouseLighthouse
Currituck Beach LighthouseCurrituck County
Cape Lookout LighthouseLighthouse
Cape Lookout LighthouseCarteret County
Oak Island LightLighthouse
Oak Island LightBrunswick County
Bald Head LighthouseLighthouse
Bald Head LighthouseBrunswick County
Ocracoke LightLighthouse
Ocracoke LightHyde County
Roanoke Marshes LightLighthouse
Roanoke Marshes LightDare County
Diamond Shoal LightLighthouse
Diamond Shoal LightDare County
Frying Pan Shoals LightLighthouse
Frying Pan Shoals LightBrunswick County
Cape Fear LightLighthouse
Cape Fear LightBrunswick County
Price Creek LightLighthouse
Price Creek LightBrunswick County

Lighthouses by county

All lighthouses (16)

NameCountyElevationNearest townSky
Bodie Island LightCape HatterasDare County1 mWanchese2
Cape Hatteras LighthouseCape HatterasDare County3 mBuxton1
Currituck Beach LighthouseCurrituck County2 mSouthern Shores3
Cape Lookout LighthouseCape LookoutCarteret County1 mHarkers Island2
Oak Island LightBrunswick County3 mSouthport4
Bald Head LighthouseBrunswick County3 mSouthport4
Ocracoke LightHyde County—Buxton2
Roanoke Marshes LightDare County—Wanchese2
Diamond Shoal LightDare County—Buxton1
Frying Pan Shoals LightBrunswick County—Carolina Beach2
Cape Fear LightBrunswick County—Southport4
Price Creek LightBrunswick County—Southport4
Roanoke River LightChowan County—Edenton5
Wade Point LightCamden County—Southern Shores3
Cape Hatteras Light StationCape HatterasDare County—Buxton1
Prices Creek LighthouseBrunswick County1 mSouthport4

Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).

Map

How to photograph lighthouses

Lighthouses work at both ends of the day: blue hour when the beacon is lit, and golden hour when white towers take on warm tones.

  • During blue hour, use 5–15 second exposures to capture the beam; check whether the light is still active.
  • Shoot from the beach or a jetty to place the tower against open sky and sea.
  • Stormy weather and crashing surf add drama; keep a safe distance from waves on rocks and piers.
  • A telephoto from across a bay compresses the tower against cliffs or the moon.
  • Many lighthouses are on private or Coast Guard property — check public access and opening hours.

Season: Summer brings open towers and tours; autumn and winter offer storms, fewer crowds and lower sun angles.