Photos of the Week
Aerial view of Ocracoke Inlet on June 7, 1966.
National Park Service Ranger uses binoculars to search for missing swimmer on July 3. See Seashore Updates below for additional information.
Seashore Updates
- Last Wednesday morning, John Carmichael Healy from Raleigh, North Carolina went missing near Oregon Inlet. After looking for Mr. Healy for sixteen and a half hours, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended search efforts on the evening of July 3. Cape Hatteras National Seashore visitors are encouraged to call 252-473-3444 to report any information that could help locate Mr. Healy.
- Next Saturday (July 20), we hope you take a short drive north of the Seashore to visit Wright Brothers National Memorial during the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. On the evening of July 20th, a viewing party will be held on the grounds from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., where the original news footage of the first moon landing will be rebroadcast. This special event is a recreation of a viewing party that took place at the Memorial on July 20, 1969. The park will be fee-free, and open until 9:00 p.m. Visit the Memorial’s webpage soon for additional details, including an exciting special guest speaker announcement. You do not want to miss this event!
- An additional four-tenths of a mile was recently reopened to pedestrians on South Beach near South Beach Road.
- A protection buffer remains in place at Cape Point to protect approximately 30 least tern nests, more than 50 least tern eggs, and multiple least tern chicks.
- ORVs and pedestrians can currently travel 0.61 miles south of ORV Ramp 44. Only the last quarter mile of the Ramp 44 beach route is within the protection buffer.
- Staff continue to monitor the Cape Point area. Once nesting activity has concluded, the protection buffer at Cape Point will be removed.
- Airing down off-road vehicle tires to at least 20 psi before entering beach access ramps is highly recommended.
- 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.
Bodie Island Lighthouse Climbing
- Dates: Daily until Oct 14, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Dates: Daily until Oct 14, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Dates: July 16-18 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Description: The base of the Ocracoke Lighthouse will be open for viewing.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Move
- Dates: July 13-19 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 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: July 13-19 from 3:30-4:00 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: July 15 from 8:00 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: July 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 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: July 16 and July 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Location: Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
- Description: Hands-on games or activities for kids and families all about seashore animals.
- Date: July 16 from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Location: Ramp 43 parking area
- Description: Bring blankets and chairs for this evening of stars and stories on the beach.
- Date: July 17 from 9:30-11:00 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: July 18 from 8:00 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: July 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
- Location: Salvo Sound Access (Day Use Area)
- Description: Meet at Salvo Sound Access for soundside exploration and discovery.
Pirates!
- Dates: July 15 from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and July 17 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Learn about Blackbeard and others with a park ranger.
- Dates: July 15 from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and July 18 from 2:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Join a park ranger for a talk about the wild side of the park.
- Dates: July 16-17 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and July 19 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Activities for all ages.
- Dates: July 16 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and July 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Learn about the island’s rich past.
- Dates: July 17-18 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
- Location: Ocracoke Pony Pasture
- Description: Meet the ponies unique to Ocracoke! Bring bug spray.
- Date: July 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 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.
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.