Get the MarineRadar appSatellite AISSatellite live trackingTrack any shipLive alerts112,000+ ships trackedDownload free

Bodie Island Lighthouse

Fl (2) W 30s🇺🇸North Carolina/Nags Head, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Bodie Island Lighthouse

The Bodie Island Lighthouse stands 47 meters tall on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, near Nags Head and south of Oregon Inlet. This brick tower, the third lighthouse in the area, was constructed in 1872 and first lit in the same year. Its focal height reaches 47 meters, casting a white light with a characteristic of a single flash. The lighthouse is situated on the Roanoke Sound side of a peninsula that forms part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The structure underwent renovation between August 2009 and March 2013, after which it became accessible for public climbing, featuring 219 spiraling steps to the summit.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is a National Register of Historic Places contributing property and is one of a dozen remaining tall, brick tower lighthouses in the United States.

Background
The current Bodie Island Lighthouse (pronounced “bah-dee island”) is the third that has stood in this vicinity of Bodie Island on the Outer Banks in North Carolina and was built in 1872. It stands 156 feet (48 m) tall and is located on the Roanoke Sound side of a portion of a peninsula that is the first part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The lighthouse is just south of Nags Head, a few miles before Oregon Inlet. It was renovated from August 2009 to March 2013, and was made climbable by the public. There are 219 steps that spiral to the top. The 170-foot structure is one of only a dozen remaining tall, brick tower lighthouses in the United States — and one of the few with an original first-order Fresnel lens to cast its light.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) W 30s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
30s
Raw Code
Fl
Focal Height
47m
Light Range
21NM (38.9 km)
Geographic Range
18NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1872
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places contributing property

Visiting

Open to public
attraction

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
47m
Tower Color
white

Location

City
North Carolina/Nags Head
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
35.8187°
Longitude
-75.5635°

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q4286384 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Bodie Island Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near US, see nearby vessels in real time, and explore 14,900+ navigation aids in the app.

Nautical mapNearby vesselsVoyage planning
Get the App

Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Bodie Island Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 47 meters and a nominal range of 21 nautical miles (approximately 38.9 km), Bodie Island is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. Lights of this range are typically used as landfall lights by vessels approaching from the open sea.
How do mariners identify Bodie Island Lighthouse at night?+
Bodie Island displays the characteristic Fl (2) W 30s — 2 white flashes every 30 seconds. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area.
Which ports and harbors does Bodie Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Bodie Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Kitty Hawk at 16.3 NM to the NNW. Other ports served include Powells Point (24.3 NM NW), Corolla (36.3 NM NNW), HATTERAS (37.3 NM S), SWAN QUARTER (45.1 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Bodie Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Bodie Island Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
What shipping routes pass near Bodie Island Lighthouse?+
Bodie Island Lighthouse is located within the US East Coast shipping lane — a major shipping corridor serving ports along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Bodie Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Bodie Island Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.