Right Beaches › Outer Banks › Buxton
Old Lighthouse Beach Access
4.8★ · 81 Google ratings · Buxton, North Carolina
✓ Parking✓ Restrooms✓ Good for kids
At a glance
Parking
On-site lot · 80 ft away
Walk
200 yd · 3 min
Restrooms
Yes · 275 yd away
Water
87°F
Tide
3 ft range today
Children
Reported good for young kids
Sand
250 yd from the water to the back
Water quality
Good · 3% of 34 over the limit · 2025
Map of Old Lighthouse Beach Access
1
1Parking80 ft from the listing
Guide
Good to know
Easy beach access from parking
The lot is well-maintained with direct beach access via a short walk without climbing over dunes.
Excellent for shell collecting
Multiple visitors reported finding abundant shells, particularly after certain tides or seasons.
Visit in late April or May
Early season visitors report the beach is fairly empty and uncrowded compared to summer months.
Reported good with little kids
Visitors often mention shallow or calm water. This is what reviewers report, not a safety assessment.Mentioned by 2 visitors · 2021–2026
Check lighthouse status before visiting
The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is currently under construction with scaffolding, limiting photo opportunities of the structure itself.
No lifeguards on duty
Visitors should exercise caution when swimming, as the beach operates without lifeguard supervision.
Conditions
How it is right now
Air
81°F · clear
Water
87°F
Waves
2.4 ft · 5 s apart
Wind
10 mph from the SW
Shelter
Cross-shore · wind running along the beach
UV index
7 peak today
| Time | Tide | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 00:50 | High tide | ↑ |
| 06:54 | Low tide | ↓ |
| 13:43 | High tide | ↑ |
| 20:20 | Low tide | ↓ |
Last updated Sep 4, 4:11 AM.
Practical
Plan your visit
📍 Buxton, NC 27920
🅿 Parking 80 ft from the listing
🌊 Water 200 yd away, about 3 min walk
🚽 Restrooms 275 yd away
Nearby
Other beaches close by
1.2 miles away · shorter walk
3.2 miles away · shorter walk
4.8 miles away
4.8 miles away · shorter walk
5.6 miles away · shorter walk
7.0 miles away · shorter walk
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Questions
Common questions
Where do you park at Old Lighthouse Beach Access?
The nearest mapped parking area is 80 ft from the listed location. Positions come from OpenStreetMap, not from review text.
How far is the walk to the water at Old Lighthouse Beach Access?
200 yd in a straight line from the listing to the mapped shoreline, about 3 min. Soft sand and dune make the real walk longer than the straight line.
Does Old Lighthouse Beach Access have restrooms?
Restrooms are mapped 275 yd from the listing.
Measured from OpenStreetMap, public aerial imagery and live conditions data, and counted from visitor reviews. Every source, in full.
