Cape Lookout Lighthouse
Visitors come to Cape Lookout National Seashore primarily to take advantage of the recreational opportunities found on the islands of Cape Lookout and Shackleford for sights, sounds, and shelling. Others are drawn to the park because they are interested in lighthouses, wild horses and/or great shelling.
The months of April through September receive the highest visitation, especially on weekends. During a typical year, mid-October through March are the months with the lowest visitation. The majority of visitors to Cape Lookout National Seashore come from within North Carolina. Traditionally, these visitors have made trips, sometimes for generations, to this section of the coast for summer visits. However, an increasing number of park visitors come from all fifty states and many foreign countries.
Sadly, the Lighthouse is closed for climbing for the foreseeable future.
Yet, visiting the Cape Lookout Lighthouse is an unforgettable experience that offers something for everyone. Here are some interesting facts about this historic Lighthouse that every traveler should know:
Cape Lookout Lighthouse is on the Cape Lookout National Seashore, part of the National Park Service. Rising 163 feet above the dunes, the black-and-white diamond-striped tower, which gives directional information, offers a striking contrast against the blue skies and crystal-clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
The first Lighthouse on Cape Lookout was built in 1812 but was destroyed during the Civil War. The current Lighthouse was built in 1859 and its light has been continuously operated. The Lighthouse uses a third-order Fresnel lens with an LED Light to project a beam of light that can be seen up to 19 miles away. The Light in the lighthouse flashes every 15 seconds.The Lighthouse is located on the southern tip of the uninhabited barrier island of South Core Banks, in North Carolina's Outer Banks. Visitors can enter the Lighthouse Keeper's Quarters on the first floor directly in front of the Lighthouse, which has been restored to their original 19th-century appearance, and now a small museum as seen in the upper photo. The Lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
In 2013, the Lighthouse underwent a major restoration, including repairs to the brickwork, exterior painting, and lens replacement. Cape Lookout Lighthouse is a popular spot for birdwatching, with over 240 species of birds recorded on the island. The Lighthouse has a rich maritime history, with many shipwrecks and naval battles occurring in the surrounding waters. The Lighthouse has also played a role in the history of aviation, with pilots using it as a navigational aid during World War II.
Visitors to Cape Lighthouse should be aware of the area's hot and humid climate and the presence of biting insects like mosquitoes and ticks.
The island is only accessible by boat or ferry.
Ferry: Island Express Ferry Service The ferry departs from the eastern part of Harkers Island, approximately 40 minutes from Beaufort, NC.
Boat: H2O Captain Eco-Tour Private Boat Excursions H2O Captain departs from Morehead City, approximately 15 minutes from Beaufort, NC.