Photos of the Week
The tip of Cape Point was reopened to off-road vehicles and pedestrians on the morning of August 5.
August 7 was National Lighthouse Day. NPS Photo: Bodie Island Lighthouse
Seashore Updates
Seashore Updates
- On August 14 and August 28, 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]
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore will celebrate International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend on August 17 and August 18. 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. [Press Release]
- As of August 8 at 9 a.m., staff have found 443 sea turtle nests across the Seashore. The previous record for a single season was 325 nests. According to SeaTurtle.org, 2,244 sea turtle nests have been found in North Carolina.
- On August 4, a pedestrian corridor was installed along the shoreline south of Ramp 72 on Ocracoke Island. The corridor allows pedestrians to travel all the way to Ocracoke Inlet. Additional ORV access will be provided when possible.
- 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.
- Visitors can sign up for beach safety text messages by texting “Join OBXBeachConditions” to 30890.
Upcoming Events
Bodie Island Lighthouse Climbing
Bodie Island Lighthouse Climbing
- Dates: Daily until Oct 14, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Climbing
- Dates: Daily until Oct 14, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
See Inside Ocracoke Lighthouse
- Dates: Aug 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.; Aug 14 and Aug 15 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.; and Aug 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Description: The base of the Ocracoke Lighthouse will be open for viewing.
Hatteras Island Interpretive Programs/Activities
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Move
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Move
- Dates: Aug 10-Aug 16 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.
Shaping the Barrier Islands
- Dates: Aug 10-Aug 16 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.
Fish with a Ranger (Buxton)
- Date: Aug 12 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.
Fish with a Ranger (Rodanthe)
- Date: Aug 13 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.
Especially for Kids
- Date: Aug 13 and Aug 15 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.
Dark Skies Over Hatteras
- Date: Aug 13 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.
Castnetting
- Date: Aug 14 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.
Morning Bird Walk
- Date: Aug 15 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.
Salvo Soundside Activities for Kids
- Date: Aug 16 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.
Ocracoke Island Interpretive Programs/Activities
Pirates!
Pirates!
- Dates: Aug 12 from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Aug 14 from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Learn about Blackbeard and others with a park ranger.
Barrier Island Nature
- Dates: Aug 12 from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Aug 15 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.
All About Turtles
- Dates: Aug 13-14 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Aug 16 from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Activities for all ages.
Ocracoke History
- Dates: Aug 13 from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Aug 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Learn about the island’s rich past.
Banker Ponies
- Dates: Aug 14-Aug 15 from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
- Location: Ocracoke Pony Pasture
- Description: Meet the ponies unique to Ocracoke! Bring bug spray.
Birds and Beaches of Ocracoke
- Date: Aug 16 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.
Inclement weather may impact lighthouse climbs and other interpretive programming.
Special Events
“Forecasting Disaster” – Special Interpretive Program
Special Events
“Forecasting Disaster” – Special Interpretive Program
- Dates: Aug 14 and 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]
International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend Celebration
- Dates: August 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.
1st Annual Surf Fishing Heritage Celebration - Special 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.