• Brown Pelican taking off.

    Cape Hatteras

    National Seashore North Carolina

  • New Off Road Vehicle Regulations

    New off road vehicle (ORV) regulations are now in effect. Please check here for information on how to get your ORV permit More »

  • Beach Fire Permits are required starting May 1, 2012

    Beach Fire Permits are now required. These permits are free. Please check here for information on how to get your Beach Fire Permit More »

Lifeguarded Beaches

The National Park Service generally operates lifeguarded beaches during the summer at Coquina Beach on Bodie Island, Cape Hatteras Beach near the old lighthouse site, and Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach.

Guarded beaches are staffed from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Red warning flags are posted at lifeguarded beaches when swimming conditions are hazardous.

Before heading to the beach, check the daily NOAA Rip Current Hazard Forecast.

See our Ocean Swimming Safety page for more swimming safety information.

Did You Know?

Lightning whelks are one of the few species of "left-handed" gastropods: their shells whorl to the left.

Lightning whelks eat about one large clam per month.  The whelk pries the clam open with its muscular foot, wedges the clam open with its shell, then eats the soft inside of the clam.

Lightning whelk shells, which whorl to the left, wash up on the beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore.