Photos of the Week
View from the Ocracoke Lighthouse on June 20, 1936.
One of the least tern nests at Cape Point.Seashore Updates
- A new beach access and parking area in Buxton will open on Friday, May 24. The Buxton Beach Access, located at the end of Old Lighthouse Road, provides improved public access to oceanside recreational activities. [Press Release]
- On Monday morning, the Seashore provided trip planning tips in a press release for staying safe in the Atlantic Ocean while visiting the Outer Banks. [Press Release]
- Seashore staff found the first sea turtle nest (loggerhead) of the 2019 season on May 11 south of ORV Ramp 38. The second nest of the season, another loggerhead, was found on the beach at the north end of Avon Village yesterday.
- A protection buffer remains at Cape Point to protect nesting colonial waterbirds (least terns and black skimmers). There are four piping plover nests (16 eggs), seven least tern nests (12 eggs), and two American oystercatcher nests (6 eggs) in the Cape Point area.
- ORVs and pedestrians can currently travel 0.61 miles south of ORV Ramp 44.
- There are over 25 miles of oceanside beach routes open for ORV access across the Seashore.
- Staff continue to monitor the Cape Point area and will modify or remove the protection buffer as soon as it is possible.
- For current beach access information and the weekly mileage summary, go to: http://go.nps.gov/beachaccess. The Seashore’s weekly field summary is now located at: http://go.nps.gov/fieldsummary.
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: May 17-18 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. May 21-23 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm.
- Description: The base of the Ocracoke Lighthouse will be open for viewing.
- Dates: May 17 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
- Location: near Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
- Description: Our threatened and endangered species at the Seashore will be highlighted at a special program. Photos and examples of resources that are protected will be on display.
- Dates: May 18-24, 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: May 18-24, 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.
- Dates: May 20 from 10:30 am to 11:00 am & May 22 from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Learn about Blackbeard and other with a park ranger.
- Dates: May 20 from 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm, May 22 from 10:30 am to 11:00 am, & May 23 from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Join a park ranger for a talk about the wild side of the park.
- Dates: May 21 from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm & May 22-23 from 10:30 am to 11:00 am
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Join a park ranger to learn about the island’s rich past.
- Date: May 24 from 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Activities especially for seashore kids and families.
- Dates: June 22 and September 21 (details to follow)
- 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.
- Date: November 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.