Bodie Island Light

Rising 156 feet above the Outer Banks in Nags Head, North Carolina, Bodie Island Light has guided mariners since 1847. The current tower—actually the third on this site, completed in 1872 after its predecessors were damaged—is instantly recognizable by its striking black-and-white horizontal bands. Still an active aid to navigation, the lighthouse is not open to public climbing, but the surrounding grounds and nearby keeper’s quarters offer excellent exploration. Photographers will find golden hour and blue hour especially rewarding, with the tower framed against marsh and sky. While visiting, explore the adjacent Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Coquina Beach, and the freshwater ponds teeming with wildlife along the Bodie Island Trail.

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Explore Nearby

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• Averasboro Battlefield Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in North Carolina
• Jockey’s Ridge State Park — State Park in North Carolina
• Run Hill State Natural Area — State Park in North Carolina