Tourists are paying thousands to stay at what has been dubbed the world's most dangerous hotel: a rusty steel tower perched above shark-infested waters off the coast of North Carolina. The Frying Pan Tower, a decommissioned Coast Guard lighthouse located 35 miles out in the Atlantic Ocean, has been converted into a unique bed and breakfast that draws thrill-seekers from around the globe.
Arrival and Accommodation
A video posted by charter boat captain Austin Aycock showed six adventurous travellers being dropped off at the tower. The cost is £150 per person per night, with a minimum stay of three nights. Upon arrival, guests are hoisted up to the main deck via a high-speed lift that climbs 80 feet in less than a minute. Once aboard, there is no way off without a helicopter or a 35-mile boat ride back to shore.
The tower sits squarely in hurricane alley, where tropical storms routinely batter the structure with winds exceeding 100 mph. Despite its precarious location, the accommodation boasts eight bedrooms and can host up to 12 guests. It features a fully-equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, hot showers, and high-speed internet powered by solar energy.
Activities and Wildlife
Activities include fishing and snorkeling over a protected reef below the structure, as well as skeet shooting with biodegradable clay targets and teeing off with biodegradable golf balls made from fish food. The waters below are teeming with great white, bull, and tiger sharks, adding an element of danger to any water-based activity.
Built in 1964, the tower is located on a stretch of coastline known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic. The property is managed by a volunteer community dedicated to preserving the historic station and has welcomed guests since 2012.
Survival Stories
According to Aycock, some groups have managed to stay much longer than the typical weekend. "The longest I've had a group stay out there was two weeks!" he said. The tower's isolation and exposure to the elements make it a true test of endurance for those brave enough to book a stay.
