Oak Island Lighthouse

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The Oak Island Lighthouse, located on Caswell Beach, NC, is quite unique for several reasons.  We love to find lighthouses on our travels, and discovered two while making a trip to Southport, NC. 

If you haven’t visited the areas around Southport, to include Bald Head Island, Oak Island, and Ocean Isle, put it on your list.  There’s many islands and beaches around the area.  We weren’t familiar with the area, but immediately fell in love with it.

Oak Island Lighthouse

It’s one of the newest lighthouses built in the US. Standing at 153 feet tall on a slight rise, so it’s light is actually 169 feet above sea level. 

This lighthouse has a three-stripe color pattern (gray on bottom, white in middle, and black on top).  These colors are cast into the concrete, meaning the structure will never have to be painted.  Even before I found out these details, I did think it looked a bit drab compared to many of the lighthouses you see.

When built, this lighthouse was the brightest in the US and second brightest in the world, because it used carbon arc mercury lamps adapted from WW2 aircraft spotlights.  It now uses LED lights, flashing four one-second flashes every 10 seconds.  This flash is visible for over 20 miles. 

Since this lighthouse is fully  automated, it’s never had a resident keeper. 

This site has been a US Coast Guard station since the 1930s,  replacing the Cape Fear Light on Bald Head Island.  The Bald Head Lighthouse is still on the island, and open for tours.

Climbing to the Top of Oak Island Lighthouse

Don’t expect a spiral staircase in this lighthouse as you see in most.  It uses a series of ships ladders to climb up to the lantern gallery.

I’ve climbed a few lighthouses in the past, but I didn’t even attempt this one.  The ladders are at a slight 80-degree angle making it quite steep.    

After discovering this and only climbing the first level, I knew it was a no for me.  The climbing backwards down all those ladders was a bit much for me.

You are given extra instructions and the history of the lighthouse at level one.  This is a good time to decide whether you want to proceed with the climb.

My husband climbed to the top and was pretty winded and tired afterwards.  He would classify the climb as strenuous.  Although winded, he reached the top but recovered quickly.  He said coming down was much easier.   

Touring the Oak Island Lighthouse

Tours for Oak Island Lighthouse are available year-round from dawn til dusk with limited FREE parking. 

Although the tour is free, advance reservations are required for the 131 step climb.  Find all the details HERE.

I recommend you making your reservations as soon as you know your plans as times will fill up quickly.  A little hint too, try to go as early as possible as it can get very hot inside the lighthouse.

Sneakers are required and both hands must be free to grasp the steep ladders.  As previously mentioned, this is a strenuous climb and the faint of heart need not consider it.  I wasn’t the only one to back out after trying the first level.

No reservation is required if you want to tour only to the second level (12 steps by ladder).  These are offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10 to noon for visitors aged 7 and up.

Why Ladders Instead of Steps

The Oak Island Light uses ships ladders specifically for speed and efficiency.  Remember, this light was built for Coast Guard use.  Accessing the light needed to be as quick as possible.  The steep ladders made the assent more direct and faster, compared to a spiral staircase.  The ladders take up less horizontal space, allowing for a smaller overall  footprint. 

These ladders do have treads (steps) and handrails, making them safer than a straight ladder, but they are steep.

Presidential Visit

President James Monroe visited the Southport area, including what is now Oak Island, in April 1819.   The main reason to visit was to  inspect Fort Johnston, a federal fortification located at Southport (then known as Smithville).  Of course this was long before Oak Island Lighthouse ewas built.

This trip was made by steamship, the Prometheus, along the Cape Fear River. 

While in the area of Oak Island, most of his visit was related to the military and national security, focusing on the fort that protected the entrance to the Cape Fear River.

On the flipside we visited his home, Highlands, during a visit to Charlottesville, Virginia.  It was one of our favorite places.  

Views From Above

Don got some great photos for me from the top of Oak Island Lighthouse

He even found me on one of the walkways

 

Faithful Friend MayDay

There are several stories about this.  Most say the remains of a Coast Guard mascot dog is buried there.  Some say there were 3 dogs, MayDay, Maverick and Marina, supposedly all black labs, but that’s up for debate as well.

MayDay is buried here with the other 2 somewhere are the lighthouse.  Dates can vary as well.

Portland Head Lighthouse

What’s some of your favorite lighthouses to see or climb?

One we want a redo visit is the Portland Head Lighthouse.  You can’t tell it by this photo, but iw was one of the most miserable, rainy days we’ve ever experienced on a cruise.  The rain was blowing sideways so bad, it was painful and everyone’s umbrella was being blown away.

 

Favorite Travel Places

Another favorite find on our trips are zoos and aquariums, even my favorite, right here in Chattanooga.

 

Tennessee Aquarium and IMAX

Georgia Aquarium

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