Just about everything on Hatteras Island is nature and outdoor-oriented. The natural beauty of the island just beckons people outside, and almost everything on the island is an accessory to the outdoorsy lifestyle. If you want to find things to do in Hatteras nature, you’ll have opportunities at every turn.
Featured for Your Visit
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Hatteras
23645 N.C. Highway 12, Rodanthe
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.
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
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Hatteras
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
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Hatteras
Hatteras Island Beaches Safety Information
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches are routinely named on Dr. Steven Leatherman's (aka Dr. Beach) annual Top 10 list of the nation's best beaches. It's a worthy honor – the beaches here are wide and flat with white sand and few crowds.
In North Carolina all of the beach below the high-tide mark is public property. So you can...read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Hatteras
If you're a fan of horseback riding, you've probably dreamed of riding along a wide-open beach. Here's your chance! These folks take you out for private rides and can accommodate all ages and skill levels. Call them in advance to talk about weight limits and to make an appointment, which is required. They're near the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum and the Hatteras ferry docks.read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Hatteras
Hatteras Island Ocean Center is an indoor/outdoor nature center that provides a wide variety of interactive educational activities for people of all ages. Nature programs are held on weekdays all summer long, including Sea Turtle Patrol, Kayak Nature Tours and Marsh Madness. Call or see the website for the schedule and prices. The Ocean Center's exhibit room is open from 12 to 5 p.m. Monday...read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Hatteras
The Hatteras Island Park Store is located on the grounds of Cape Hatteras Light Station. No visit to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is complete without a stop at the Park Store for seashore-related gifts. Lots of parking and restrooms are on site. The Hatteras Island Park Store is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Christmas.read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Hatteras
Hatteras Village Park is a nature preserve with a trail that winds through a maritime forest and salt marsh. You'll see high marsh and tidal marsh and cross an elevated boardwalk. Self-guided booklets will point out the plants and animals you might see. Parking and bike racks are available. read more
Take your family on a horseback riding journey on the beach or in Buxton Woods. Lighthouse Horse Rides offers something for everyone, from walks on the beach for more experienced riders to cart rides pulled by a miniature horse or pony for the little ones. Available rides vary by days of the week. The owners of this business love the Outer Banks and their horses...read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Hatteras
Miss Hatteras, a 75-foot head boat, makes daily trips in season to the fishing grounds, with individuals paying a per-person fee to go along. All the gear and tackle you’ll need, along with instruction from the helpful crew, is provided. On Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Miss Hatteras takes full-day (6:30 a.m to 4 p.m.) trips to the Gulf Stream to bottom fish for triggerfish,...read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Hatteras
A monument at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras honors Hotel De Afrique, the first safe haven for African Americans during the Civil War. The wooden house was approximately 1.5 miles west of where the museum now stands. A predecessor to the Freedmen's Colony on Roanoke Island and part of the National Underground Railroad, the building and surrounding barracks housed former slaves on...read more
Three vehicle ferries bring cars, trucks, RVs, motorcycles and bicycles to Ocracoke Island. The free Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry offers multiple trips daily year-round, and the crossing takes 60 minutes. The ferry operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and reservations are not accepted. The Hatteras terminal is at the southern end of N.C. 12 on Hatteras Island, and after crossing Hatteras Inlet the ferry deposits riders on...read more
Over the last 70 years, Oregon Inlet Fishing Center has earned legendary status for its celebrated charter fishing fleet and proximity to the best fishing grounds. It earned this reputation as a no-frills facility, but big changes in 2024 have brought modernizations and upgrades to match its iconic status. A beautiful new, climate-resistant, two-story building elevated 11 feet above ground is now home to a...read more
Want to enjoy a roaring beach bonfire but you don't know where to start to make that happen? Outer Banks Beach Fires will take care of everything. They get the permit, gather up all the supplies and do all the work. All you have to do is relax by the fire, maybe roast a marshmallow or two and enjoy the moonrise. They can accommodate a...read more
