The only 100% Volunteer Managed Lighthouse in NC! And listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
TOP TOUR AVAILIBILITY (only on Wednesday and Saturday through April 30th: Top tours switch to Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday as of May 1st. ALL tours are only conducted in the mornings. No tours are offered on Major Holidays.
Top tours from May 1st through September 30th are offered every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday all in the mornings with the first tour starting at 9:30 a.m. Top tours from October 1st through April 30th are only offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. All tours depend on guide availability and may require up to 6 weeks (or more) advanced reservations during the busy summer season and around holidays. Please click on the tours tab above for information on requesting a tour.
Tours of the lighthouse are provided by Friends of Oak Island Lighthouse which is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection, preservation, maintenance, and development of the Oak Island Lighthouse, lighthouse site and related oceanfront property.
The Lighthouse interior is open for TOP tours with advanced reservations ONLY. NO reservation – Open House tours (NOT to the top) are offered from Memorial Day through Labor Day on Wednesday and Saturday. Grounds are open year round from dawn till dusk and parking is free. See below for more information on our tours.
CURRENT COVID GUIDELINES: The wearing of masks to protect you from COVID-19 inside the Lighthouse is no longer required. However, since you will be in close proximity with other climbers, please feel free to wear one.
TOP TOURS: Climbing to the top is available year-round for anyone 9 years or older with up to SIX weeks (or more) advanced notice required during the busy summer season and around holidays for a reservation. All requests will be offered the opportunity to join already scheduled tours IF openings exist. Top tours from October 1st through April 30th are only offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. depending on available space. Top tours from May 1st through September 30th are offered every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday with the first tour starting at 9:30 a.m. ALL top tours are in the morning. We are closed on most major holidays. Top tours are up 131 metal ship stairs to an outside balcony and are currently offered free of charge and by prior reservation ONLY. Please check our tour page for additional details and to find out how you can request a tour.
OPEN HOUSE TOURS: Public “no reservation required” free tours to the second level (NOT to the top) are offered every Wednesday (10 AM – 2 PM) and Saturday (10 AM – NOON) starting Memorial Day and running through Labor Day. Visitors climb 1 level (12 steps) for anyone age 7 and up. A docent will provide information about the lighthouse and answer any questions you may have.
For any questions please contact us at: oakislandlighthouse@gmail.com
FOIL is a nonprofit corporation and 501(c)(3) for tax purposes. FOIL is registered with the N.C. Secretary of State for 2023 as being allowed to collect contributions. EIN# 20-2548830
Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license exemption are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 919-814-5400. The license/exemption is not an endorsement by the State.