The Beach
Cape Hatteras National Seashore is America’s first national seashore (established 1953) and remains one of its most spectacular: 70 miles of undeveloped barrier island beach along the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where the Atlantic coast makes one of its most dramatic turns and the cold Labrador Current meets the warm Gulf Stream in a collision of water masses that has driven ships onto the shoals here for centuries.
The term “Cape Hatteras Beach” encompasses the entire national seashore — a series of barrier islands (Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island, connected by the Hatteras Inlet ferry) that extend south from the Outer Banks proper. The beach varies considerably along its length but shares throughout a quality of genuine wildness rare on the developed East Coast: wide, wind-swept sand; dynamic dune systems; a landscape that looks much as it did before European settlement; and a sense of exposure to the full force of the Atlantic that smaller, sheltered beaches never provide.
The Cape itself — the hooked tip of Hatteras Island that juts southeast into the Atlantic — is where the character of the beach reaches its most extreme. Waves from two directions meet at the Cape, creating the complex, shifting surf conditions that make Cape Hatteras one of the most important surfing locations on the East Coast. The Cape Point itself (accessible via a long beach drive or walk) is one of the most spectacular viewpoints on the entire Atlantic coast, with ocean visible in essentially all directions.
The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse — the iconic black-and-white spiral-striped tower first built in 1870 and moved inland in 1999 to protect it from shoreline erosion — is the tallest brick lighthouse in America at 198 feet. It has become the symbol of the Outer Banks and is visible from the beach for miles.
The beach also hosts significant wildlife: loggerhead sea turtle nesting (monitored and protected during summer), migratory shorebirds in extraordinary numbers during spring and fall migration, and year-round populations of brown pelicans and royal terns. The waters offshore are among the most productive fishing grounds on the East Coast — the famous “bluefish run” in autumn, the red drum (puppy drum) fishing, and offshore pelagic fishing all drive a significant fishing culture at Hatteras.
How to Reach It
Getting to the Outer Banks
The Outer Banks have no major commercial airport. The nearest airports are:
- Norfolk International Airport (ORF): Approximately 2 hours north via the Virginia Dare Memorial Bridge. Connections from major East Coast hubs (American, Delta, Southwest, United).
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU): Approximately 3 hours inland. Broader connections.
By car: The standard approach. Most visitors drive to the Outer Banks via US 64 and US 158 from the north, or from Raleigh via US 264 to the south. The Outer Banks are connected to the mainland by several bridges. Hatteras Island specifically is accessed via Route 12, which runs the length of the Outer Banks.
By ferry: From Swan Quarter or Cedar Island on the mainland to Ocracoke Island (the southernmost part of the national seashore) — a 2.5-hour ferry crossing across Pamlico Sound. A beautiful and scenic way to access the most remote section.
Planning Your Visit
- June to September: The primary beach season. Water temperature peaks at 24–26°C in late summer. Warm enough for comfortable swimming, consistent surf for surfers. Nesting sea turtle season — turtle nests are marked and protected during this period.
- September and October: Perhaps the best months overall. Water still warm from summer, hurricane risk declining (though present through November), and the spectacular autumn shorebird migration passes through, sometimes with extraordinary concentrations of peregrine falcons, merlins, and thousands of shorebirds.
- May and June: Spring migration birds, warming water, fewer crowds than peak summer.
- November to April: Off-season. Many businesses close or reduce hours. The beach in winter is elemental and magnificent — powerful Atlantic storms, dramatic skies, the lighthouse against a grey-and-white palette. Duck hunting and excellent winter fishing attract a different audience. Dress warmly.
Places to Stay
Hatteras Island has a strong vacation rental tradition:
- Hatteras Village: The southernmost town on Hatteras Island, closest to the Cape, with rental cottages and houses, several small motels, and the ferry terminal to Ocracoke.
- Avon, Salvo, Waves: Mid-island communities with vacation rental houses, many directly oceanfront.
- Frisco and Buxton: Communities near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse with rental properties.
Large resort hotels do not exist within the national seashore boundary — all accommodation is in the small communities between the park areas. The predominant form is vacation rental homes and cottages, widely available through local agencies and national platforms.
On the Beach and Beyond
Surfing
Cape Hatteras has earned its reputation as one of the East Coast’s premier surfing destinations. The Cape Point and the pier at Avon and Buxton produce reliable waves from both northeast and southeast swells. The autumn and winter swells (when the beach is empty of summer tourists) produce the most consistent and powerful conditions. Multiple surf shops and schools operate in Avon and Buxton.
Cape Point Fishing
Cape Point — the hook of land at Hatteras Island’s southern tip — is legendary among East Coast surf fishermen. The collision of currents creates exceptional fishing for red drum (channel bass), bluefish, and in season, striped bass. The beach drive access allows anglers to take vehicles onto the beach (with a permit) to reach the most productive sections.
Lighthouse Visit
The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is open for climbing during the summer season (April to mid-October). The 248-step climb to the top (198 feet) provides extraordinary views of the Outer Banks, the Atlantic, and Pamlico Sound. The surrounding museum and grounds tell the story of the lighthouse’s history, the dangerous Diamond Shoals offshore, and the infamous 1999 move of the lighthouse inland. Book tickets in advance for the summer season.
Wildlife Watching
The Cape Hatteras area is an important site for Atlantic Coast birding, particularly during migration. The Cape Point area attracts large numbers of raptors (peregrine falcons, merlins, harriers) and shorebirds in autumn. The Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, immediately north of Hatteras Island, is one of the best birding sites on the East Coast — tundra swans, snow geese, and large numbers of waders use the impoundments during winter.
FAQ
Is swimming safe at Cape Hatteras? The ocean at Cape Hatteras is powerful, with strong longshore currents and occasional rip currents. Lifeguards operate at designated swimming areas during the summer season. The flag system should be observed. The beach is not recommended for weak swimmers or young children without close supervision, particularly at the Cape itself where wave interaction is complex.
What is the Diamond Shoals? The Diamond Shoals are a system of sandbars extending from Cape Hatteras into the Atlantic — historically one of the most dangerous navigational hazards on the East Coast, responsible for hundreds of shipwrecks. The Outer Banks are sometimes called “the Graveyard of the Atlantic.” Several accessible historic shipwrecks are dive sites; others are visible from the surface in clear, calm conditions.
How do I access Cape Point? Cape Point is accessible by walking from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse parking area (approximately 2 miles each way) or by driving a 4WD vehicle onto the beach via the designated vehicle beach access ramp (permit required — available from the NPS).
Is Ocracoke Island worth visiting? Extremely. Ocracoke, accessible only by ferry, is one of the most authentic and unspoiled communities on the East Coast — a small, car-limited island community of about 900 year-round residents. The village has excellent seafood restaurants, unique local culture, and Ocracoke Beach itself is one of the finest national seashore beaches on the entire Atlantic.