Things to Do in Hatteras, NC

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 formed a nonprofit organization to save it, and it is now a fine museum and historic site; all structures are original buildings.

On a visit here you’ll see the 1874 Station, the 1911 Station, two cookhouses, water tanks and a cistern, a stable, a tractor shed, the smaller boathouse and a village home built in 1907. In the museum, you’ll learn about the U.S. Life-Saving Service Station and some of the rescues that occurred here. Artifacts, uniforms, rescue equipment, displays, video presentations and self-guided tours help complete your knowledge of place and history. These stations have many stories to tell. Life-Saving crews at Chicamacomico performed many daring rescues, including one of the greatest rescues of WWI, that of the British tanker Mirlo in 1918. When the Mirlo was sunk by the German submarine U-117, Chicamacomico’s crew rescued 42 of 51 British sailors. The gift shop is full of unique nautical items and works by local craftspeople plus books and old-fashioned toys.

The historic breeches buoy demonstration is held every Thursday at 2 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The 100th anniversary of the Mirlo rescue was commemorated on August 16, 2018, with a centennial event.

Check their website for special program information, admission fees and hours of operation and to see what is happening on any given day. Chicamacomico is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit raising all of its own funds; it has no federal, state or other budget.  

Kitty Hawk Kites has been teaching the world to fly since 1974. With 10 retail locations from Corolla to Ocracoke, Kitty Hawk Kites boasts an impressive selection of kites, flags and spinners, toys, apparel, gifts and games on the Outer Banks. Kitty Hawk Kites specializes in kites, from the single-lines for kids to high-tech stunt varieties. The stores also sell fun outdoor goodies such as flags, toys, boomerangs and games. You’ll find a wide selection of Outer Banks gear, beach sportswear and footwear from Crocs, Chaco, Hey Dude, Southern Fried and Life is Good apparel, t-shirts, sweatshirts, outdoor clothing, sunglasses and more. Kitty Hawk Kites also offers a number of adventure activities including hang gliding, kayak and SUP tours, lessons and rentals, parasailing, Jet Skis, dolphin tours, wild horse tours, historic tours and much more. The brand-new Whalebone Watersports Center on the Nags Head Causeway offers kayak fishing, Jet Skis, pontoon boat rentals and more. At Kitty Hawk Kites' Waves Village Watersports in Rodanthe, you can learn kiteboarding; buy and rent kiteboarding gear; rent a kayak, surfboard or standup paddleboard or climb the adventure tower/ropes course. Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding School at Jockey's Ridge in Nags Head offers private lessons, beginner lessons, advanced lessons and training packages for hang gliding, as well as retail merchandise and sand boards available for rent.

In a prime location right on Pamlico Sound, Ocean Air Sports has been making Hatteras Island watersports adventures happen since 1987. Locals and visitors of all ages and experience levels have trusted this iconic north Avon business for family-oriented outdoor fun for more than 30 years. Ocean Air rents kayaks and standup paddleboards (SUP) and offers lessons and rentals in windsurfing, kiteboarding and wing foiling. Windsurfing enthusiasts have been flocking to Hatteras Island for decades, and Ocean Air Sports is their first stop for gear, rentals and the latest island and industry scoop. Whether you’re playing on the water or watching the action from the soundfront deck, Ocean Air is the perfect place to spend the day. The shop sells all the goods and gear for the outdoor experience, from boards, kites, sails and paddles to wetsuits, sunglasses, t-shirts, sunscreen and a whole lot more.

In the heart of Hatteras village, Slash Creek Outfitters strives to make your Hatteras vacation the best one yet. This is the place to rent a four-person or six-person golf cart for tooling around the village, bikes of all sizes (kiddos and adults), kayaks for exploring the Slash Creek or the Pamlico Sound, beach chairs for relaxing and more! Have your rental items delivered to your beach house (for free) or stop by to pick them up and grab a vacation keepsake in their specialty curated, ever-expanding retail shop. Slash Creek Outfitters also offers the ever-popular sunset kayak and eco-tours.