Cape Hatteras National Seashore, in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and N.C. Department of Transportation, opened the Bonner Bridge Pier on October 1, 2021. The 1,046-foot-long remnant section of the Bonner Bridge, located next to the south end of the Basnight Bridge, is managed by the National Park Service. The Bonner Bridge Pier is a great place to walk, sightsee, watch for marine life, and enjoy recreational fishing. The pier is free and open 24 hours a day. View photos on Cape Hatteras National Seashore's Flickr page. Connecting the Southern Outer BanksCompleted in 1963, the Bonner Bridge was the first constructed bridge that connected Hatteras Island with the rest of the Outer Banks. Prior to the bridge, access was only available via vehicle ferry from the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center. The completion of the bridge brought well needed connections to the southern Outer Banks, as well as faster evacuation routes during severe weather. The Bonner Bridge reached the end of its functional lifespan in the 2010s, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation began a bridge replacement project. In 2019, the new Marc Basnight Bridge opened, replacing the Bonner Bridge. As part of the replacement project, the remnant 1000ft of the bridge on the Hatteras side of Oregon Inlet was retained as a structure to help train the ocean current further into the center of the inlet to aid navigation and as a pedestrian and fishing structure. RulesFishing is a fun and rewarding experience. However it is important to be aware of the rules and regulations surrounding fishing, and to be respectful to fellow anglers. Jumping from the pier, or climbing down on the bridge pilings is prohibited for your safety. Boats are not allowed to tie-off, or moor to the bridge structure.
Etiquette
If You Hook a Sea Turtle
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Last updated: March 30, 2023