Hatteras Island Recreation
Hatteras Island’s recreation is a magnet for people who love sporting by the sea: surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, standup paddleboarding, sport fishing, bird watching, scuba diving, canoeing, kayaking, camping and roaming the miles of Outer Banks beaches.
The active crowd loves participating in Cape Hatteras’ recreation offerings for a number of reasons -– mild temperatures for about 10 months of the year, abundant and accessible ocean and sound beaches, numerous outfitters catering to the various activities and the very laid-back lifestyle. Most important to Hatteras Island recreation and the outdoorsy personality, however, is Cape Hatteras National Seashore, a 72-mile park that includes parts of Bodie, Hatteras and Ocracoke islands and is left in its almost completely natural state. The National Seashore offers undeveloped ocean and sound beaches where eco-friendly outdoor recreation is encouraged and wildlife can be seen in its natural habitat.
In the seven Hatteras Island villages -– Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras Village —you’ll find many Hatteras Island recreation outfitters offering all the gear, rentals and lessons you’ll need to get out there and enjoy the great outdoors, barrier island style. The villages also offer other recreational opportunities, like mini-golf, movies and bike rentals.
Just a note: Lots of people refer to this entire area as Cape Hatteras. Others call it Hatteras Island. It’s one and the same in the generalized way of thinking about it. So Cape Hatteras recreation is the same as Hatteras Island recreation. Tomaaato, tomoooto.
Hatteras Island Beaches
In North Carolina, all of the beach below the high-tide mark is public property. So you can enjoy any part of the beach as long as you get there legally. Public beach accesses are located along N.C. Highway 12 throughout Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, and there are numerous accesses in the villages. Do not access the beach via private property, i.e., cutting through private oceanfront yards to get there.
The only life-guarded beach on Hatteras Island is at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse beach in the summer months. Otherwise, swimming is at your own risk. Many visitors are surprisingly unaware of the dangers of ocean swimming. Always regard the ocean with a sense of caution, no matter how good a swimmer you are.
Rip currents, which suck objects and people from shore toward sea, are the biggest threat swimmers may encounter. The most important thing to remember about rip currents is not to try to swim against them directly back to shore. Let the rip carry you out, then swim parallel to the beach to get out of the current, then swim diagonally into shore. Educational materials about rip currents and other ocean dangers are available in local visitor centers. It’s a good idea to carry some sort of flotation device with you when swimming, like a surfboard, body board or raft, but you can’t totally depend on those for safety. Drownings have occurred when non-swimmers lost the rafts or body boards they were depending on for flotation.
Another important thing about ocean swimming: Never take your eyes off your children, even if they’re just wading in the surf. Children can be knocked down by waves and washed into the sea in the blink of an eye. We’re not trying to discourage anyone from ocean swimming. Most days on Hatteras Island, ocean swimming is safe and wonderful. Just be cautious and educated before going into the water.
If you are unsure about ocean swimming or if the day is particularly rough, you can also swim in the shallower, calmer waters of the Pamlico Sound. The sound is a good place for children and not-so-strong swimmers. It’s a good idea to wear some kind of water shoes, however, so you won’t cut your feet on oyster shells. There are several soundside beaches within Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The most easily accessible are the Salvo Day Use area just south of Salvo and the Haulover area just south of Avon. Otherwise, if you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, there are several sand trails in Cape Hatteras National Seashore that lead back to soundside beaches. Pick up an Off-Road Driving Map, available at National Park Service Visitor Centers.
Note: For disabled visitors, Cape Hatteras National Seashore loans out beach wheelchairs on a first-come, first-served basis. For information call (252) 441-5711 or (252) 995-4474.
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Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
- 46379 N.C. Highway 12 and Lighthouse Road
- Buxton
- (252) 995-4474
- map
If any one thing represents all of Hatteras Island, it has to be the famous black-and-white, spiral-striped Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. The lighthouse has become the icon of the island, representing the hopeful, stalwart, survivalist attitude that is so pervasive among the people of Hatteras. This is one of the most famous lighthouses in the nation, especially since it survived a controversial, precarious move in 1999. Now in the hands of the National Park Service, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is open to the public.
Visitors 42 inches and taller can climb the spiral staircase up to the top of the lighthouse for an unforgettable view of the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Hatteras and Buxton. For the 2010 season, the climb will cost $7 for adults and $3.50 for children younger than 12 and seniors age 62 and older. The lighthouse is open from the third Friday in April through Columbus Day. Lighthouse tours begin at 9 a.m. daily and run every 10 minutes with a limit of 30 visitors per tour. The last tickets of the day are sold at 5:40 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day and 4:40 p.m. other times of the year. This is a very popular attraction and no advance tickets are sold, so the best thing to do is to get there early (before noon) and visit the ticket booth to buy a ticket, which will state the time of your tour. The ticket booth opens at 8:15 a.m. Be sure to be at the gate five minutes before your tour time. A museum about lighthouses and the history of the Outer Banks is located inside the historic Double Keepers’ Quarters Building just across the lawn from the lighthouse. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in summer and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the year.
FYI: The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Cape Hatteras National Seashore, along with Wright Brothers National Memorial, are designated Federal Recreation Fee Areas. Eighty percent of the funds generated by park fees are used to improve visitor facilities within the Outer Banks Group. The remaining 20 percent support projects in other National Park Service areas.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore/Hatteras Island Visitor Center
- 46379 N.C. Highway 12 and Lighthouse Road, at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
- Buxton
- (252) 995-4474
- map
The National Park Service’s Hatteras Island Visitor Center is located at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse site. Maps, informational brochures and the park newspaper are available here, and staff can answer any questions you have about visiting Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Lots of parking and restrooms are on site. There’s also a bookstore with gifts. Inquire at the Visitor Center about the ranger-led history and nature programs that are held regularly from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The Visitor Center is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer months and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the year. Check out www.outerbanksthisweek.com for detailed information on Park-sponsored activities.
Charlie’s Boat Rentals
- 25628 N.C. Highway 12
- Waves
- (757) 477-6475
- map
Looking to get out on the water? Charlie’s Boat Rentals in Waves rents 19-foot skiffs or Waverunners by the day or week. The boats are 19-foot Caribbean Skiff flat bottom boats with either 50 hp or 115 hp motors. The two boats with 50 hp hold up to five people, while the one with 115 hp holds up to 10. Charlie also rents Waverunners. You can launch the boats and Waverunners at his site, or trailer them to your own site. All safety equipment is provided.
Frisco Native American Museum & Natural History Center
- 53536 N.C. Highway 12
- Frisco
- (252) 995-4440
- map
The Native American history of Hatteras Island and the Native American culture of our nation are preserved at this must-see museum in Frisco. The founders of this museum, Joyce and Carl Bornfriend, have taken great care to preserve Native American heritage, and their collection of artifacts, exhibits and natural history displays is nationally recognized and respected. The galleries include information on Native Americans across the United States. Particularly interesting to Hatteras Island visitors are the artifacts from the Native Americans who once inhabited this island. A dugout canoe, which was found on the museum property, is displayed with tools, instruments and other items uncovered on the island in an archaeological dig conducted by East Carolina University; these items offer a glimpse into the island’s previous life.
The museum recently opened almost 1,000 square feet of new exhibits, including an art gallery and a room overlooking a beautiful bird garden. The gift shop has a great variety of Native American-made items, including arts and crafts, walking sticks, dream-catchers, moccasins, jewelry, paintings, drums, pottery, handmade knives and much more. The facility also includes a book store and even an antiques gallery operated by Friends of the Museum. While you’re here, be sure to walk on the museum’s nature trails that wind through several acres of maritime forest. Beginning archaeology and Beginning Birding programs are offered every Friday afternoon from mid-June through September.
Museum hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Winter hours may vary; call for confirmation. Cost is $5 per person, $3 for seniors or $15 per family. Guided tours for groups are available. The museum sponsors a not-to-be-missed annual Inter-Tribal Powwow on Hatteras Island the last weekend in April.
Hatteras Watersports
- 27130 N.C. Highway 12
- Salvo
- (252) 987-2306
- map
Hatteras Watersports, located on the sound in Salvo, rents Yamaha 4-stroke Waverunners and Jet Skis right on site. They also rent flatwater and ocean kayaks, which you can launch here or take to your own location, and they lead kayak eco-tours in the sound. Hobie Wave 14-foot sailboats are available for rent as well. Between your adventures on the water, this is a great place to hang out, with a big lawn, sound beach, volleyball court, picnic area and restroom with hot showers. The house is actually the former Pea Island Life-Saving Station.
Kitty Hawk Kites
- 39432 N.C. Highway 12, Island Shops
- Avon
- (252) 995-6060, (877) FLY-THIS
- map
Kitty Hawk Kites offers both ocean and sound kayak rentals at its Avon store. You can launch at this site or take the kayak to your own location. Kitty Hawk Kites offers a variety of kayak eco-tours on Hatteras Island, including a tour at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. For tour information or to make reservations, call (877) 359-8447.
Kitty Hawk Kites
- Hatteras Landing, Marina Way
- Hatteras Village
- (252) 986-1446, (877) FLY-THIS
- map
Kitty Hawk Kites offers kayak rentals and kayak tours from this store location on the waterfront; for information and tour reservations call (877) FLY-THIS.
Kitty Hawk Kites Climbing Wall
- Hatteras Landing, Marina Way
- Hatteras Village
- (252) 986-1446; (877) FLY-THIS
- map
If all this flat land has you craving a vertical view of things, Kitty Hawk Kites has a sport rock-climbing wall set up on the porch at Hatteras Landing Marina. It tops out at 32 feet high, and there are beginner and advanced routes. The staff is there to assist beginners with their first climb. It’s usually only open in the summer season, so call before stopping by.
Kitty Hawk Kites’ Waves Village Kiteboarding Resort
- 24502 N.C. Highway 12
- Rodanthe
- (252) 987-2528, (252) 441-4124
- map
Kitty Hawk Kites’ Waves Village is an all-in-one, one-stop shop for all your watersports fun. Take kiteboarding lessons with some of the top teachers in the world, rent kiteboarding equipment or participate in a host of other activities such as standup paddleboarding, windsurfing or kayaking. Waves Village’s launch site is open to the public, not just to customers. The center is on the sound, so launching and lessons are right on site. Also at Waves Village are hot showers, a coffee shop, a candy store and several shops offer apparel, gear, equipment and accessories.
Moneysworth Rentals
- 23466 N.C. Highway 12
- Rodanthe
- (252) 987-1002
- map
Moneysworth rents bikes for all sizes and ages, including pull-behind carts and child seats. They also rent beach gear and watersports gear. They offer free delivery and pickup anywhere on Hatteras Island.
Ocean Atlantic Rentals
- 40809 N.C. Highway 12
- Avon
Ocean Atlantic Rentals rents bikes for the whole family. They have large and small frame bikes for men and women plus kids’ bikes, pull-behind carts, child seats, tricycles and helmets for adults and children. They also rent kayaks, surf boards, boogie boards and beach gear. Delivery and pickup are offered to all Hatteras Island villages, for free on orders more than $99 and for a small charge for orders less than that amount.
OceanAir Sports
- 39450 N.C. Highway 12
- Avon
Whether you want to learn a new watersport, rent some gear or just hang out with some like-minded people who love and appreciate the Hatteras Island watersports scene, OceanAir Sports is good spot to be. OceanAir Sports is a full-service watersports facility offering lessons and rentals for windsurfing, kiteboarding, standup paddleboarding, surfing, kayaks, sailing and Waverunners. The staff and instructors are experienced, trusted locals who practice their sports regularly and keep up with the latest technical information and trends; they are enthusiastic about sharing their love of the sports with people who stop by. The scene is unintimidating; beginners in all sports will feel welcome here but there’s plenty for experienced kiters and sailors as well. OceanAir sells gear from premier brands like Cabrinha, North Kiteboarding, DaKine, O’Neill, North Sails, Mistral, JP, Ezzy Sails, NoLimitz, Oakley, Smith Optics, Reef Sandals, Sanuk sandals and clothing. It’s located directly on the Pamlico Sound at the north end of Avon, and you can launch right from their dock.
Outer Banks Diving
- 57544 N.C. Highway 12
- Hatteras Village
- (252) 986-1056
- map
For expert guiding and charters to the Graveyard of the Atlantic wrecks, certified divers should contact Capt. Johnny and Amy Pieno at Outer Banks Diving. This full-service dive shop offers single, group and multi-day rates for trips aboard their large, comfortable U.S. Coast Guard–certified vessel, the Flying Fish. Shipwrecks are predominantly of WWII vintage in the 70- to 110-foot-deep range. The boat is docked at Teach’s Lair Marina, and the shop is about a mile north of there. PADI scuba certification courses are offered here. The shop rents and sells gear for snorkeling and diving, including masks, fins, snorkels, wetsuits and more, and they make repairs. Stop in to ask about their options for snorkeling, which is a great family activity. The gift shop is really neat—you’ll find giant sharks’ teeth, nautical items and souvenirs.
Rodanthe Watersports and Campground
- 24170 N.C. Highway 12
- Rodanthe
- (252) 987-1431
- map
Rodanthe Watersports offers affordable rentals of Waverunners, kayaks, surfboards, sailboats, standup paddleboards, skim boards, body boards, wetsuits, beach chairs, bikes, umbrellas and more. Right on the sound, it offers easy, uncrowded access to the water. Look for this business next to the Chicamacomico Water Tower. Sailing OBX is the sailing program at Rodanthe Watersports, offering Hobie Cats, Sunfish and Daysailers. You can rent the boats, book or charter, take sailing lessons or have a sailboat delivered to your location.
Spa Koru
- 40920 N.C. Highway 12
- Avon
- (252) 995-3125
- map
Koru’s campus serves as the epicenter for renewal of health and wellness on Hatteras Island. Koru Village features a spa, salon and fitness center, including a spacious yoga studio and villa accommodations. The spa offers a wide range of services, including massages, facials, body wraps, body treatments, manicures, pedicures, bridal services and much more. Spa Koru’s focus is to create an experience that promotes renewal of life and spirit in every facet of the campus. The Koru is a spiral-shaped Maori symbol that represents new life, growth, strength and peace, and it is with these elements in mind that Koru has created and developed all of its services and programs.
Studio 12 Paint Our Pottery
- 40534 N.C. Highway 12
- Avon
- (252) 995-7899
- map
When you’re looking for something to do beyond the beach, get creative at this pottery-painting studio. You select an item, paint it to your heart’s content, and they’ll fire and glaze it for you to pick up later in the week. They also offer all the supplies you’ll need to design and craft your own mosaics. It’s open Monday through Saturday or by appointment for parties. Studio 12 also crafts custom hand-painted tiles and tile murals.
U.S. Weather Bureau Station/Hatteras Welcome Center
- Hatteras Village
- (252) 986-2203
- map
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, weather observations gathered near Cape Hatteras were important for forecasters all along the East Coast. The Hatteras Island weather station was so critical that in 1901 the U.S. Weather Bureau constructed a dedicated Weather Bureau building in Hatteras Village, one of only 11 such buildings constructed in the nation at the turn of the century. The building still stands in Hatteras Village and is next to the Burrus Red & White grocery store at the corner of Saxon Cut and Kohler roads. The National Park Service restored the building to its original 1901 appearance, yellow exterior and all. The NPS had the benefit of the original building plans to aid in its restoration, so the building is true to its original. The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau operates a visitors/welcome center in one room of the building; stop by to pick up tourist information and also to see the interior of this historic building.
Angelo’s Pizza Arcade
- 46903 N.C. Highway 12
- Buxton
- (252) 995-6364
The game room and arcade at this restaurant is enormous, great for kids and adults who are looking for something to do. There are several pool tables, air hockey and tons of video games.
Avon Golf
- 41001 N.C. Highway 12, Avon Fishing Pier
- Avon
- (252) 995-5480
To practice your putting skills, head over to Avon Golf. This 18-hole, natural-grass putting green is on the oceanfront. Unlimited, all-day play is available for one low price, and you can come and go as you please. Get your tickets at the Avon Fishing Pier.
Avon Surf Shop
- 40136 N.C. Highway 12
- Rodanthe
- (252) 995-4783
Avon Surf Shop rents and sells surfboards. They also offer individual surf lessons for all ages and all levels. The owners are longtime surfers dedicated to the sport, so you’ll know you’re in good hands. They also have a full skate shop with a large clothing section. It’s located just south of the Dolphin Den in north Avon.
Barefoot Station
- 40618 N.C. Highway 12, next to Village Grocery
- Avon
- (252) 995-7011
Barefoot Station is an upscale convenience store selling what you’d expect: gas, drinks and snacks, beach stuff, T-shirts and specialty beers and wines. What you don’t expect is all the extras they have. They offer hand-dipped ice cream and a Build-A-Bear workshop that costs only $16 per bear. They’ve got a pool table that offers $1 pool games and a really cool movie theater space where you can catch a movie and enjoy a beer or glass of wine. The intimate, 32-seat theater shows current DVD releases with free admission; call to check the schedule and times. The theater is available to rent for $25, so you can bring a group of friends or hold a birthday party here. It’s a great place for a kid’s birthday party as the children can build their own teddy bear, watch a movie and enjoy ice cream.
Beach Driving
- Hatteras Island
Driving on the beach is allowed in many areas of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. However, some areas of the beach may be closed to driving (but open to pedestrians) during the bird-breeding and turtle nesting seasons (mid-March to late August for birds and as late as November for turtles).
You may have heard rumors that all of the Hatteras Island beaches are closed to beach driving, but that simply is not true. In July 2009, in the height of bird-breeding season, Cape Hatteras National Seashore still had more than 23 miles of beach open for ORV use and more than 48 miles of beaches open to pedestrians. Only about 19 miles of beach were closed for resource protection in 2008.
To protect nesting sea turtles, night driving (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) is not allowed on any Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches between May 1 and September 15. Night-driving permits will be available for beach drivers between September 16 and November 15. For more information on Cape Hatteras National Seashore see www.nps.gov/caha.
These beach-driving closures are in effect to protect the breeding birds and turtle nests, so the areas of closed beaches vary greatly depending on where the birds and turtles decide to breed and nest each season. To see the most up-to-date information about closed beach areas, visit http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/googleearthmap.htm. The website is updated continuously during the summer months so it is the best source of current information. This interactive map is very easy to use and offers a wealth of information at a glance. If you don’t have access to the web, call the National Park Service Headquarters at (252) 473-2111.
Off-Road Driving Maps are available at the National Seashore Visitors Centers at Bodie Island Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse or the campgrounds. You can access the beach by vehicle at one of several sand ramps along the island. Be sure to read any signage concerning beach driving! There are also several soundside off-road-vehicle trails listed on the maps. Driving on the ocean beach or the soundside trails can be very convenient, especially for anglers looking for the perfect spot to
fish. It’s also nice for families to be able to park and spend the day at the water’s edge.
Four-wheel-drive vehicles are an absolute necessity when driving in sand. You’ll certainly be the subject of derisive snickering if you attempt it in a two-wheel-drive car and get stuck. But even four-wheel-drive vehicles get stuck from time to time. If you’re going to attempt driving in sand, most people recommend lowering the air pressure in your tires to about 20 to 25 pounds to give the vehicle a little flotation on the sand. Try to follow in the tracks of vehicles that were there before you, and try to maintain a steady pace in the softer, deeper sand. If you do get stuck, a fellow off-roader will usually help you out. If not, call Cape Point Exxon Towing Service in Buxton at (252) 995-5695.
Blue Marlin Display
- 57690 N.C. Highway 12, Hatteras Village Library and Community Center
- Hatteras Village
Hatteras Village is the offshore fishing capital of the Outer Banks. Big-game marlin fishing began here in the 1930s. To see a blue marlin (one that’s been mounted and preserved), go over to the Hatteras Village Library and Community Center. On the outside wall, encased in a glass box, is a world-record, 810-pound blue marlin that was caught on June 11, 1962, off Hatteras Island. The world record has since been broken, but this is still an impressive specimen.
Burrus Flying Service
- 57094 Kohler Drive, Billy Mitchell Airport
- Frisco
- (252) 986-2679
For a totally different perspective on Hatteras Island, see it from the air. Burrus offers air tours over Hatteras and Ocracoke islands for sightseeing, aerial photography or historical tours. Air tours prices are reasonable, starting at $40 per person for a party of three and varying from there depending on your chosen tour. The owners will do custom tours of the Outer Banks (prices vary).
Buxton Woods – National Park Service Nature Trail
- Lighthouse Road
- Buxton
- (252) 995-4474
Near the lighthouse on the NPS grounds is a 3/4-mile trail through the maritime forest of Buxton Woods. From N.C. Highway 12, turn onto Lighthouse Road and continue around the curve to the right past the lighthouse. The trailhead is on the right at the picnic area. A pine needle-covered path leads back into the forest. Along the way there are informational signs about the maritime forest ecosystem and the health of Buxton Woods. You’ll pass Jennette’s Sedge, a naturally occurring freshwater pond. This is a mostly flat, easy walk, though it’s not recommended for the disabled because of slightly rough terrain.
