Visit the Magnificent Oak Island Lighthouse

The Oak Island Lighthouse was constructed in 1958 at the cost of $110,000. The lighthouse is in a beautiful location and stands at a towering 169 feet above the water. Most lighthouses contain spiral staircases in order to get to the top; however, here there is a series of ship ladders with 131 total rungs that are used instead. The construction of the lighthouse was a complex process, but that is part of what makes it the grand structure that it is today.

The base itself is comprised of pilings that go an impressive 67 feet deep and are 10 3/4 inches in diameter. The pilings are concrete and steel to ensure strength and to give the lighthouse a solid base to withstand the elements. The main concrete tower is 128 feet tall and can be seen from long distances. The process of building this tower required a concrete mixing plant to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for quite some time until it was completed. There is a three stripe color pattern that makes the lighthouse stand out visually. The colors were permanently mixed into the concrete, not painted, so the unique pattern will remain as long as the lighthouse is in existence. Notably, the inside of the lighthouse has a 16 3/4 foot diameter.

There are free tours of the lighthouse available to the public every Wednesday and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. It is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area and are interested in touring and learning more about this interesting landmark. Located right on the beach, you can start off your day with a stroll along the coast and finish up with a tour of the Oak Island Lighthouse.

Please note that tours will only take guests to the second level if you do not call at least two weeks in advance. You are promised a great tour by qualified professionals who know all of the rich history of this lighthouse and the area. To arrange a tour, or to find out more information about the lighthouse, simply send an email to OakIslandLighthouse@gmail.com. If you are searching for the lighthouse location, use the Coast Guard Station address at 300 A Caswell Beach Road, Oak Island, NC 28465. Visit www.oakislandlighthouse.org for more information.