Great Isaac Cay
Post-apocolyptic paradise in the form of a haunted lighthouse left to crumble into the AtlanticErected in the 1850s to prevent the Bermuda Triangle from disappearing merchant ships, the 152-foot tall Great Isaac Lighthouse has become more of a participant in the area's mysteries than protector.
The cay itself is a giant coral head rising a few feet out of the area’s shallow, dangerous reefs. Razor sharp terrain makes the land inhospitable, resembling hollowed, jagged bones instead of rock or earth. Nineteenth century lore has it that a ship wrecked in Great Isaac Cay's waters, killing everyone aboard except one young infant. Locals claim that the infant's mother (known as the Grey Lady) can still be seen roaming the island, and her wails of sorrow can be heard on full moons.
As recently as 1969, the barren island had been occupied by human keepers, though they mysteriously disappeared. Their bodies were never found. After their disappearance, replacement lighthouse keepers weren’t exactly lining up for the position. The compound’s buildings have been left to crumble, and the Great Isaac Light was automated, shining a white beam every 15 seconds to sailors up to 23 nautical miles away.
Though the cay’s grounds are open to the public, the bottom few stairs in the tower are missing and the storage bunkers and buildings are locked. Exploring is expected and part of the fun, though falling on the rocks or shimmying up the lighthouse’s rusty staircase are both real possibilities, and may earn you a fresh tetanus shot. Moderate agility is required to make landfall.
Read more about Great Isaac Cay on Atlas Obscura...
Category: Watery Wonders, Anomalous Islands, Incredible Ruins
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Edited by: littlebrumble, Annetta, AllisonEng, scamb66, Rachel