Photo of the Week
Surf fishing south of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in 1952.
Seashore Updates
- On the morning of June 10, a 53 year old Ohio man died in the Atlantic Ocean, near the former location of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton. [News Release]
- Beach fires are once again permitted on Seashore beaches. The temporary beach fire ban was lifted at 5:00 pm on June 10. [News Release]
- Whether you want to fish from the beach, or reel in your catch while wading in a creek, there are plenty of ways to go fishing in national parks. Be prepared before you go by visiting the National Park Service’s fishing safety tips page.
- A protection buffer remains in place at Cape Point to protect American oystercatcher and least tern chicks, as well as nesting black skimmers. There are also multiple piping plover chicks and over 50 least tern chicks in the Cape Point area.
- 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.
- There are over 25 miles of oceanside beach routes open for ORV access across the Seashore.
- 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 am to 4:30 pm
- Dates: Daily until Oct 14, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
- Dates: June 18-19 from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
- Description: The base of the Ocracoke Lighthouse will be open for viewing.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Move
- Dates: June 15-21 from 10:30 am to 11:00 am (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: June 15-21 from 3:30-4:00 pm (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: June 17 from 8:00 am to 9:30 am
- 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: June 18 from 8:30 am to 10:00 am
- 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: June 18 and June 21 from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm
- Location: Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
- Description: Hands-on games or activities for kids and families all about seashore animals.
- Date: June 18 from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm
- Location: Ramp 43 parking area
- Description: Bring blankets and chairs for this evening of stars and stories on the beach.
- Date: June 19 from 9:30-11:00 am
- 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: June 20 from 8:00 am to 9:30 am
- 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: June 21 from 9:30 am to 10:00 am
- Location: Salvo Sound Access (Day Use Area)
- Description: Meet at Salvo Sound Access for soundside exploration and discovery.
Pirates!
- Dates: June 17 from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm and June 19 from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Learn about Blackbeard and others with a park ranger.
- Dates: June 17 from 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm and June 20 from 2:30 am to 3:00 pm
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Join a park ranger for a talk about the wild side of the park.
- Dates: June 18-19 from 10:30 am to 11:00 am and June 21 from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Activities for all ages.
- Dates: June 18 from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm and June 20 from 10:30 am to 11:00 am
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Learn about the island’s rich past.
- Dates: June 19-20 from 9:00-9:30 am
- Location: Ocracoke Pony Pasture
- Description: Meet the ponies unique to Ocracoke! Bring bug spray.
- Date: June 21 from 8:30 am to 10:00 am
- Location: Meet at public parking lot adjacent to campground
- Description: Join a ranger for an island exploration. Fun for all ages! Bring bug spray.
Beach Cleanup Volunteer Event
- Dates: June 22
- Description: On June 22, from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm, Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) and the North Carolina Beach Buggy Association will host drop-in volunteer beach cleanup efforts. More details. The Seashore will host volunteer beach cleanup events at the following locations:
- Coquina Beach Access on Bodie Island (meet park staff at the bathhouse)
- Old Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Site on Hatteras Island (meet park staff in the parking lot)
- Ocracoke Beach Access (meet park staff in the parking lot)
- Date: July 1, 9:30 am to 11:30 am
- Location: Event tent near Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
- Description: The public is invited to a free event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse move. The event will include speeches, a question and answer session, expanded interpretive programming, activities for children, and free lighthouse climbing! See press release for more details.
Independence Day Celebration (Ocracoke Island)
July 3
-At 9:15 pm, watch fireworks at the NPS docks and around Silver Lake Harbor.
July 4
-Meet “Captain,” the newest stallion, at the Ocracoke Pony Pen from 8:00 am to 10:00 am
-From 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, the base of the Oracoke Lighthouse will be open for viewing.
July 5
-A community beach fire will take place from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Ocracoke Beach Access (lifeguard beach).
Independence Day Celebration (Hatteras Island)
July 4
-At 9:15 pm, watch fireworks from the beach near the Avon Fishing Pier (41001 NC-12, Avon). Rain date is July 5.
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.