Rising from the waters of Pamlico Sound, Gull Shoal Light has guided mariners along North Carolina’s Inner Banks since 1890. This screwpile lighthouse was built to mark the treacherous shoals that threatened vessels navigating the sound’s shallow channels. Despite surviving decades of hurricanes and harsh coastal conditions, the structure remains an active aid to navigation maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The lighthouse is not open to the public and can only be viewed by boat. Golden hour offers the best photography, when warm light reflects off the surrounding water. Nearby, visitors can explore the charming villages of Ocracoke and Hatteras, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and some of the Outer Banks’ finest fishing and kayaking.

Explore Nearby

• Alligator River Route — Scenic Byway in North Carolina
• Pettigrew State Park — State Park in North Carolina
• Perquimans Crossing — Scenic Byway in North Carolina
• Jockey’s Ridge State Park — State Park in North Carolina
• Croatan National Forest — National Forest in North Carolina