Photos of the Week
Seashore staff look forward to greeting visitors from around the world this Memorial Day weekend. Check out our Memorial Day weekend guide to your seashore.
A rare Kemp’s ridley turtle visited Ocracoke Island recently.
Adult American oystercatcher with chick and egg. This NPS photo was taken north of Ramp 67 on Ocracoke Island using a spotting scope.
Seashore Updates
- The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Ocracoke Express passenger ferry service began shuttling visitors between Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands this week. Learn more at: https://www.ncdot.gov/travel-maps/ferry-tickets-services/Pages/passenger-ferry.aspx.
- A new beach access and parking area opens tomorrow in Buxton. The Buxton Beach Access, located at the end of Old Lighthouse Road, provides improved public access to oceanside recreational activities. [Press Release]
- On June 22, from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm, Cape Hatteras National Seashore and the North Carolina Beach Buggy Association will host drop-in volunteer beach cleanup efforts. [Press Release]
- All this week, the Seashore is posting daily beach and ocean safety information on its Facebook and Twitter accounts. Taking the time to learn about hazards before you get to the beach will help ensure you create wonderful memories with your families.
- The following beaches are staffed with lifeguards from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day: Coquina Beach, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Beach, Frisco Beach (NEW), and Ocracoke Beach. Learn more.
- A protection buffer is in place at Cape Point to protect American oystercatcher chicks and nesting least terns and black skimmers. There are multiple piping plover nests and piping plover chicks 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. Once nesting activity has concluded, the protection buffer at Cape Point will be removed.
- For current beach access information and the weekly mileage summary, go to: http://go.nps.gov/beachaccess.
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 28-30 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: May 25-31 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: May 25-31 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: May 27 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: May 28 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: May 28 and May 31 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: May 28 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: May 29 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: May 30 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: May 31 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: May 27 from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm and May 29 from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Learn about Blackbeard and others with a park ranger.
- Dates: May 27 from 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm and May 30 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: May 28-29 from 10:30 am to 11:00 am and May 31 from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Activities for all ages.
- Dates: May 28 from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm and May 30 from 10:30 am to 11:00 am
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Learn about the island’s rich past.
- Dates: May 29-30 from 9:00-9:30 am
- Location: Ocracoke Pony Pasture
- Description: Meet the ponies unique to Ocracoke! Bring bug spray.
- Date: May 31 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 Events
- Dates: June and Sept 21. View press release for June 22 event details.
- 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: 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.