Tybee Island Lighthouse, Tybee Island, Georgia

Haunted History of Tybee Island Lighthouse

Rising tall on the northern tip of Tybee Island, Georgia, the Tybee Island Lighthouse has guided sailors safely through treacherous waters for over two centuries. But behind its historic brick walls and sweeping coastal views lies a darker, eerie side that has fueled ghost stories for generations.

The Legends

Visitors and staff have long reported strange occurrences in and around the lighthouse. The most common stories involve a shadowy figure that appears on the spiral staircase late at night. Some say it is the ghost of a former lighthouse keeper who died on duty, eternally patrolling the tower to ensure the light never goes out.

Others report unexplained footsteps and voices echoing through the empty keeper’s quarters. Doors have been known to slam on their own, lights flicker without cause, and cold spots appear in areas where no wind should reach. Some tourists claim that taking photos near the top of the lighthouse has produced orbs or faint ghostly shapes hovering in the air.

A particularly chilling story tells of a keeper’s wife, who supposedly fell to her death while tending to the lighthouse’s light in the 19th century. Witnesses over the years claim to hear her anguished cries or feel a sudden rush of cold air near the balcony where she is said to have fallen.

Why It Feels Haunted

The lighthouse’s long history, combined with its remote, isolated location, naturally creates a spooky atmosphere. The constant sound of crashing waves, the creaking of the old wooden stairs, and the wind whipping through the tower add to the sense that something unseen might be watching.

Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, visitors often report a strange sense of presence, as if the past residents of the lighthouse have not fully left. This mix of maritime history, tragedy, and isolation has cemented Tybee Island Lighthouse as one of Georgia’s most famous haunted landmarks.