We Climbed the Oak Island Lighthouse: North Carolina

We Climbed the Oak Island Lighthouse in North Carolina — Here’s What Families Should Know

Inside: A real family account of our trip to the Oak Island Lighthouse, with all the details about the free tours available to climb to the top of the lighthouse.

Looking for something fun, free, and a little adventurous in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands? Our family checked out the Oak Island Lighthouse in Caswell Beach on Oak Island, and it was an awesome experience — especially for my teens!

The Oak Island Lighthouse isn’t just a lighthouse where you snap a photo from the parking lot. You can climb all the way to the top, peek at the light itself, and take in incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Cape Fear River, and more. Whether you’re traveling with teens, kids, history buffs, or lighthouse lovers, here’s everything you need to know before your visit.

WATCH! Our Visit to Oak Island Lighthouse

Oak Island Lighthouse Tours to the Top

We signed up for a free tour through the Friends of Oak Island Lighthouse and were lucky enough to climb all 131 steps to the top!

But here’s the twist: this lighthouse doesn’t have a spiral staircase like most others. Instead, it’s made up of flights of ships ladders — steep, metal steps that feel a little like climbing through a ship or submarine. It’s part of what makes this lighthouse so unique.

Don’t think you can make it up all 131 steps? That’s ok! You can still visit this lighthouse and learn some amazing things.

The bulk of the talk the tour guides give happens on the landing just 12 steps up inside the lighthouse. You’ll still be inside this amazing structure, listen to the tour, and get a chance to gaze around.

If you decide to brave the steps and keep climbing, know that there is a chair on each landing. You can take your time, rest between ladders, and let faster climbers move past.

Reservations are required, and spots are limited — only about 25 people per tour, and tours only happen on select days, so you’ll definitely want to plan ahead.

These tours happen by reservation only. From May 1st through September 30th these tours are offered on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday with the first tour starting at 9:30 am. Top tours from October 1st through April 30th are offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9:30 am.

Oak Island Lighthouse Facts

Our tour guides shared so many fun facts during our climb!

The Oak Island Lighthouse is 169 feet high, making it one of the tallest in the U.S.
It was built in 1958, replacing older lighthouses on Bald Head Island.
It’s the newest lighthouse in North Carolina (and probably the last!)
This one’s electric! It was placed on Oak Island instead of Bald Head because Oak had electricity in the ’50s and Bald Head didn’t.
The bold color bands? Not paint! The stripes are dyed into the concrete, which means they never have to repaint it.

It’s maintained in partnership with the Coast Guard, and there’s a Coast Guard Station right next door. You’ll see the whole property from the top.
From the top, you can see Fort Caswell, marshes, the Cape Fear River, and miles of ocean
The Oak Island Light is a rotating LED light- the first in the United States!

What to wear to tour the Oak Island Lighthouse

💡 Closed-toe shoes are required for climbing — no flip-flops allowed! And nothing that will slide off the back of your foot either, so crock-style shoes aren’t a good option. After climbing, I would highly recommend tennis shoes, firmly tied.

Since you will be climbing ladders with a group of people below you, I would also not recommend a dress for some obvious reasons. Additionally, when you climb down the ladders, you’ll want a clear view of your feet. Dresses billowing in the breeze coming up from the door at the base of the lighthouse will get in the way.

It gets quite warm in the lighthouse during the climb. Especially in the summer, we’d recommend shorts and t-shirt.

Can Kids Climb the Oak Island Lighthouse?

To climb the Oak Island Lighthouse, kids must be at least 9. Children aged 7 and up can go to the second level landing, climbing just 12 steps up. Younger kids can look up inside the house from the ground level, but can’t climb.

The view at the top of Oak Island LIghthouse

What It’s Like at the Top of the Lighthouse

The view? Absolutely amazing. Once we reached the top, we could see the coastline for nautical miles. You get a bird’s eye view of:

The shimmering Atlantic Ocean
Fort Caswell, right nearby
Marshes, waterways, and peaceful stretches of beach

And the light?

It was right above our heads. You can’t climb to it, but you can peek up and see it rotating just above you. You really get a sense of what lighthouses have meant to ships over the years.

The experience of being at the top of the lighthouse, and the incredible view, were definitely worth the climb.

Don’t Want to Climb? Open House Tours to the Second Level

In the summer months, open house tours just up the first 12 steps are offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm. Just drop in. Tour Guides will share information about the lighthouse for about 10 minutes and guests can take pictures and ask questions. Children must be 7 years old to climb the 12 steps to the landing. Younger children may not climb, but can peek in if they would like. There are no exceptions.

Tips for Visiting

Here are a few quick things to keep in mind before your family heads over:

Tours are free, but donations are appreciated!
Make reservations early — they book up fast
Arrive a little early and give yourself time
Parking is available at the lighthouse. There are two lots. You will first see a very small lot. If that is full keep going down the road for the second parking lots.
No A/C inside — bring water if it’s a warm day
There are no public restrooms at the lighthouse, so plan ahead
The tour isn’t stroller-friendly, and the ladders aren’t accessible for young kids or anyone with mobility challenges

Would We Do It Again?

In a heartbeat. This was a special stop on our trip to the Brunswick Islands. My teens loved the climb (and showing off their bravery on those ships ladders!) We learned so much from the guides, and the views were unforgettable.

If your crew loves history, ocean views, or just something totally different, we think the Oak Island Lighthouse is a family adventure worth taking. I mean, how often do you get to climb a lighthouse!? Go.

Want to Visit?

Head to Friends of Oak Island Lighthouse to make a reservation. The process is super easy. You’ll email your requested date and a volunteer will email you back to confirm.

More on Oak Island: Pier and Ruby’s

Do yourself a favor. After you’ve climbed the lighthouse, head to the Oak Island Pier and pop into Ruby’s Coffeehouse. It’s the cutest, and the coffee and muffins were superb. Plus, you get to walk on the pier with coffee! Does it get better?