Photos of the Week
On the morning of August 13, the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island released two rehabbed sea turtles at Coquina Beach.
Seashore Updates
- On August 17, 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the bill that established Cape Hatteras National Seashore. You can read more about the creation and establishment of the Seashore by reading its administrative history document.
Yellowstone Superintendent Roger W. Toll led an NPS party to investigate the suitability of the Outer Banks as a national seashore in 1934. Toll took this photograph as the party prepared to cross Oregon Inlet.
- As of August 15 at 1 p.m., staff have found 456 sea turtle nests across the Seashore. The previous record for a single season was 325 nests.
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore continues to experience strong levels of recreational visitation. In July 2019 visitation was up by over eight perfect compared to visitation in July 2018. More info can be found in this press release.
- Visitors can now walk on the beach from South Beach Road (old ramp 45) all the way to the tip of Cape Point.
- Ramp 23 near Salvo has reopened to pedestrians. The ramp is opened seasonally to off-road vehicles.
- Off-road vehicle access to South Point on Ocracoke Island is expected to reopen by noon this Saturday.
- For current beach access information and the weekly mileage summary, go to: http://go.nps.gov/beachaccess. For field summary, visit: http://go.nps.gov/fieldsummary. Mileage and field summaries are updated every Thursday during the shorebird and sea turtle nesting seasons.
- Over 25,000 people have traveled on the Ocracoke Express this season. The new passenger ferry service between Hatteras and Ocracoke islands runs seven days a week from May 20 through September 5. More info.
- Visitors can sign up for beach safety text messages by texting “Join OBXBeachConditions” to 30890.
Bodie Island Lighthouse Climbing
- Dates: Daily until Oct 14, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Dates: Daily until Oct 14, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Dates: Aug 21-22 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Description: The base of the Ocracoke Lighthouse will be open for viewing.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Move
- Dates: Aug 17-Aug 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. (daily program)
- Location: Hatteras Island Visitor Center pavilion
- Description: Learn about the monumental move event that happened in 1999 when the entire light station was moved 2,900 feet away from the threat of a changing shoreline.
- Dates: Aug 17-Aug 23 from 3:30-4 p.m. (daily program)
- Location: Hatteras Island Visitor Center pavilion
- Description: Wars, wind, hurricanes, and ocean currents have all had impacts on the shores of Cape Hatteras. Join us to learn about some of these events and the changes they have made to the island.
- Date: Aug 19 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
- Location: Buxton
- Description: We bring the poles, you bring the bait! Call 252-475-9622 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.
- Date: Aug 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Location: Rodanthe
- Description: We bring the poles, you bring the bait! Call 252-475-9622 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.
- Date: Aug 20 and Aug 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Location: Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
- Description: Hands-on games or activities for kids and families all about seashore animals.
- Date: Aug 20 from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Location: Ramp 43 parking area
- Description: Bring blankets and chairs for this evening of stars and stories on the beach.
- Date: Aug 21 from 9:30-11 a.m.
- Location: Location varies, call to pre-register
- Description: Practice this early method of fishing still used today. Call 252-475-9622 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.
- Date: Aug 22 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
- Location: Meet at the fish cleaning tables near Ramp 44
- Description: Meet winged residents and those traveling the Atlantic Flyway. Binoculars are available. Bring bug spray.
- Date: Aug 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Location: Salvo Sound Access (Day Use Area)
- Description: Meet at Salvo Sound Access for soundside exploration and discovery.
Pirates!
- Dates: Aug 19 from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Aug 21 from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Learn about Blackbeard and others with a park ranger.
- Dates: Aug 19 from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Aug 22 from 2:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Join a park ranger for a talk about the wild side of the park.
- Dates: Aug 20-21 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Aug 23 from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Activities for all ages.
- Dates: Aug 20 from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Aug 22 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Learn about the island’s rich past.
- Dates: Aug 21-Aug 22 from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
- Location: Ocracoke Pony Pasture
- Description: Meet the ponies unique to Ocracoke! Bring bug spray.
- Date: Aug 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Location: Meet at public parking lot adjacent to campground
- Description: Join a ranger for an island exploration. Fun for all ages! Bring bug spray.
Special Events
International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend Celebration
- Dates: Aug 17-18
- Location: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Description: Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Cape Lookout National Seashore will celebrate International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend on Saturday, August 17th and Sunday, August 18th from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Park staff and members of the Outer Banks Repeater Association will have HAM Radios set up at Bodie Island and Cape Hatteras Lighthouses to communicate over the air-waves with other participating lighthouses and lightships from around the world.
- Dates: Aug 28 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Location: U.S. Weather Bureau Station, 57190 Kohler Rd, Hatteras, NC
- Description: Explore the historic U.S. Weather Bureau Station in Hatteras with park rangers and learn about the vital role this station played in predicting the weather and safeguarding the residents of the Outer Banks in the early 1900s. Participants will have the chance to practice taking weather readings following the program. [Press Release]
- Dates: Sept 13-14
- Location: Hatteras, NC
- Description: Day at the Docks was started to celebrate the “Spirt of Hatteras” when the village recovered from Hurricane Isabel in 2003 as an intact community, anchored by the commercial and charter fishermen. Cape Hatteras National Seashore is one of the many sponsors of this outstanding annual event.
- Date: Nov 2
- Location: Fessenden Center, Buxton
- Description: Cape Hatteras National Seashore, along with partner organizations, will celebrate the area’s strong surf fishing history at the 1st annual Cape Hatteras Surf Fishing Heritage Celebration. More details about this event will be posted on a special event web page and Facebook event page.