Adventurous travelers are paying roughly AUD $870 for a three-night stay at the Frying Pan Tower, a decommissioned Coast Guard light station located 54km off the North Carolina coast. According to the New York Post, visitors are hoisted 24 meters into the air to reach the platform, which sits in a region known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” and is frequently exposed to extreme weather and shark-populated waters.
What is the Frying Pan Tower experience?
The Frying Pan Tower is a former light station built in 1964 that has been repurposed as an offbeat, remote accommodation. Guests reach the main deck via a high-speed lift that carries them 24 meters above the ocean surface in less than a minute. The structure, which stands 41 meters above the Atlantic swells, features eight bedrooms capable of housing up to 12 guests.
Amenities include high-speed internet powered by solar energy, a fully equipped stainless-steel kitchen, and hot showers supplied by a reverse osmosis filtration system. A volunteer community has maintained the site since 2012, offering activities such as snorkeling, fishing, skeet shooting with biodegradable targets, and golf using fish-food balls.
Why is this destination trending?
The tower gained recent viral attention after a TikTok video posted by Austin Aycock showed him dropping off a group of six tourists. The footage, which has garnered 2.2 million views, depicts the group being left alone on the isolated steel structure. Commenters on the platform expressed a mix of fascination and fear, with some comparing the experience to a “horror movie” while others noted the appeal of a “zombie-free” escape.
While the standard minimum stay is three nights, Austin Aycock noted in social media comments that he once transported a group that stayed for two full weeks.
What are the risks of staying at the tower?
The tower is situated in hurricane alley, where tropical storms can batter the structure with wind speeds exceeding 160km/h. Because of its location 54km offshore, medical emergencies present significant logistical challenges. According to the New York Post, any urgent medical situation requires either a 56km boat trip or a helicopter ride.
The surrounding waters are known to be inhabited by great white, bull, and tiger sharks. Despite these factors, the volunteer-run site continues to attract travelers seeking an unconventional vacation, though many prospective visitors have voiced concerns regarding the isolation and the lack of immediate emergency response services.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do guests get to the tower? Guests are typically ferried by boat and then hoisted 24 meters to the deck using a high-speed lift.
- Is there a chef on-site? While the tower provides a kitchen for communal cooking, groups have the option to hire a professional chef for their stay.
- What happens during a medical emergency? Help is accessible only via a 56km boat trip or a helicopter ride.
Would you risk a stay at the Frying Pan Tower, or is the isolation too much to handle? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or subscribe to our newsletter for more reports on unique travel destinations.