News Release

Cape Hatteras National Seashore partners with Dare County to add lifeguard services at Rodanthe Beach Access

Photo of lifeguard stand at Coquina Beach Access.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: July 1, 2023

Contact: Mike Barber, 252-270-5389

MANTEO, N.C. — Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) has partnered with Dare County to add lifeguard services at Rodanthe Beach Access. The popular beach location will be staffed with lifeguards seven days a week, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., from July 1 through Aug. 11, 2023.

“Lifeguard beaches are the safest places to swim along the Outer Banks,” said David Hallac, superintendent, National Parks of Eastern North Carolina. “The Seashore is grateful for the new partnership with Dare County to bring lifeguard services to the tri-village area of Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo.”

There are now five beach locations staffed with lifeguards this summer. The locations of the five lifeguard beaches are:

• Coquina Beach Access (Bodie Island)

  • Located across from the Bodie Island Lighthouse

• Rodanthe Beach Access (Hatteras Island)

  • 23731 N.C. Highway 12, Rodanthe

• Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Beach Access (Hatteras Island)

  • Adjacent to the old Cape Hatteras Lighthouse site

• Frisco Beach Access (Hatteras Island)

  • Located just south of Frisco Village

• Ocracoke Beach Access (Ocracoke Island)

  • 1.5 miles south of the Ocracoke Campground

All five lifeguard beaches are staffed seven days a week from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Other than the Rodanthe Beach Access, which will have lifeguards through Aug. 11 due to the limited availability of certified lifeguards late in the summer season, all Seashore lifeguard beaches provide lifeguard services through Labor Day.

Ocean Safety Tips

• Swim at beaches patrolled by lifeguards.
• Bring something in the water with you that floats.
  • Rather than struggling through a rip current and exhausting yourself, bring something into the ocean that floats and easily float away from the rip current. Float don’t fight.
• Swimming in the Atlantic Ocean is not the same as swimming in the pool or a lake. Ocean swimming can be physically strenuous and may exacerbate underlying medical issues in older swimmers.
• A perfect day on the beach doesn’t always mean that it’s a perfect day in the ocean.
  • Check the beach forecast before visiting the beach. If in doubt, don’t go out.
• Never swim alone. Swim with a buddy and have adult supervision for all children. Have someone on shore keep an eye on you while you swim/surf/wade in the water.
• Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current. Use flotation and make safe choices.
• Be aware that the ocean presents additional hazards, such as shorebreak, high surf and longshore currents. Learn more at www.lovethebeachrespectheocean.com.
• Avoid wearing shiny objects that may attract sharks and other fish.

Fill Beach Holes
The Seashore recently launched a “Fill Beach Holes” campaign to educate visitors about the dangers associated with abandoning deep beach holes. Digging deep holes and abandoning them can cause serious harm to beachgoers, emergency response staff, and sea turtles.

Visitors should remember the following beach hole safety tips:

• Avoid digging deep holes in the beach.

• If you dig a hole in the beach, fill it in before leaving the beach.

• Do not dig holes deeper than your knees when standing in them.

• If you see an abandoned beach hole, consider filling it in.