Frying Pan Tower is the namesake of Frying Pan Shoals… For many years before modern-day GPS, the light burned on top of the tower, warning mariners of the shallow and treacherous shoals. It was manned by the Coast Guard until it was decommissioned in 2004. In this video you can see waves breaking 12 miles offshore, showing the shoals in all their glory. No longer a navigational aid, the tower now stands as a testament to restoration and preservation and serves as a glimpse into maritime history.

Here’s some exclusive drone video I just took of the Frying Pan shoals on the East Tip of Bald Head Island. | North Carolina's Weather Authority