Hatteras Island Attractions

Explore All Hatteras Island Attractions 

The natural world is the most stunning of Hatteras Island attractions — from Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge to Hatteras Island National Seashore. It’s hard for anything else to compete with the wonders that Mother Nature provides here, so many of the local points of interest are nature-oriented. You can walk mile upon mile of beautifully undeveloped shorefront searching for shells and other treasures or get yourself out into the deep, blue sea on anything that floats — standup paddleboards and kiteboards are the latest crazes. But beyond the water, the landscape and the wildlife, there are some fantastic Hatteras Island attractions that offer interesting diversions and inform visitors about the rich history of Hatteras Island. The most well-known of Hatteras Island attractions is the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, but other popular sites will get you up close and personal with the Native Americans who were the real first inhabitants of these islands, teach you about how locals predicted weather years ago, about the courageous men from the U.S. Life-Saving Service who went to the aid of hundreds of shipwreck victims and about the long and storied history of the Graveyard of the Atlantic. The Hatteras Island attractions are either free or charge a very modest fee. Several of the places listed here are also included in Hatteras History, so you may want to refer back to that section for more information. Also see Hatteras things to do for other ways to get to know this island.

Hatteras Island Attraction by Location or Category

Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station

Hatteras Attractions
23645 N.C. Highway 12, Rodanthe
(252) 987-1552

The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station is the nation’s largest and most complete existing example of the life-saving stations that were built along the Atlantic coast in the late 19th century to attend to shipwrecks and to rescue survivors. The 1874 Station was the first operational U.S. Life-Saving Service station built in North Carolina, serving until 1954. Chicamacomico has been partially restored, thanks to numerous volunteers who...read more

The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station is the nation’s largest and most complete existing example of the...read more

Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

Hatteras Attractions
59200 Museum Drive, Hatteras village
(252) 986-0720

At the end of N.C. Highway 12 just past the ferry docks, Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum attracts attention with its composite of ship shapes, porthole windows and curved timbers. One of three North Carolina Maritime Museums operated by the North Carolina Division of Natural and Cultural Resources, the museum focuses on the maritime history and culture of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The Outer Banks’ stretch of sea is...read more

At the end of N.C. Highway 12 just past the ferry docks, Graveyard of the...read more

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center

8770 Oregon Inlet Road, off N.C. Highway 12, Nags Head
(252) 441-6301

It's all about making fishing memories at this legendary Outer Banks marina. A fleet of 48 boats offers a variety of fishing excursions at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center year round (weather permitting). Nearshore, inshore vessels offer half-day or full-day trips, while the headboat offers a choice of morning or afternoon inlet/sound fishing. Offshore vessels travel to the Gulf Stream, where anglers enjoy a full day on...read more

It's all about making fishing memories at this legendary Outer Banks marina. A fleet of...read more