Cape Hatteras National Seashore is one of the best beach locations I’ve ever been to (and that’s saying a lot!). The shores of this particular destination are perfect for those who love to be in the water surfing, fishing, swimming, and floating.

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This national seashore is known for two things:

1. Having the best surfing on the east coast
2. Being nicknamed the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” because of the treacherous shoreline

The strong currents are a double-edged sword. Yes, I think the waves are fantastic and definitely the best for surfing that I’ve seen on the Atlantic. But under harsh conditions, I could also see how these waves could become too much.

In this guide, we’ll talk about how to get the most out of this seashore.

Table of contents:

• What to pack
• Best time to visit
• What to do (and where to stay)
• A 1 day/1 night itinerary

What to Pack

Besides the usual suspects (swimsuits, flip flops, etc) you might want to consider:

• Binoculars. These are great for birdwatching and spotting other wildlife.

• A quick-drying towel. I swear by my Sandcloud towel I bought a few years ago, and y’all, it was a game changer. It is sand resistant, and dries sooo quickly.
• Because the seashore can be quite windy, I also recommend a mesh hat with a drawstring. The string ensures it won’t go flying away, and the mesh keeps it breathable on your head.
• You can’t forget sunscreen! The spray kind is good for most of your body except your face. For that, you’ll want sunscreen lotion. If you have any good sunscreen recs, drop them below!

Best Time to Visit

As with any beach destination, it will be most popular in the summer months. However, you’ll want to be cautious when visiting during hurricane season. I would avoid planning a visit in September and October, which is when this area is most likely to be hit by hurricanes.

If you’re looking to visit during a quieter time, this seashore is beautiful in the springtime with everything in bloom and the weather starting to warm up! Fall is a great time to visit if you’re more interested in hiking than swimming. And believe it or not, winter is still a good time to visit, too; the swans migrate to Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and the crowds have thinned out. 

Visitor Centers

There are 3 visitor centers. Ocracoke Island Visitor Center has some great exhibits, and rangers standing by to share all the info about this area. Note that you do need to take a ferry to get to this island.

There is also Bodie Island Visitor Center, which is the most popular since it’s the easiest to get to. There is a small store and a boardwalk that overlooks the marsh.

You might also consider Hatteras Visitor Center, which contains a small museum with info on the Outer Banks history. This is also where the Hatteras lighthouse is, which is worth the stop to see. You can also experience a virtual tour of the lighthouse if you want to see it before you go.

Things To Do

Beaches: There are a number of beaches and pull-offs on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. You have Frisco Beach, Old Lighthouse Beach, Haulover Day Use Area, Sandy Bay, and Salvo Day Use Area. They are all pretty similar, so I would suggest choosing which one to use based on the location.

Hiking: There are lots of great hiking trails to explore! I have three outlined below, from shortest to longest.

• Buxton Woods Trail: 0.75mi round trip, easy hike with forest plants alongside the marsh
• North Pond Wildlife Trail: 1.2mi within the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
• Open Ponds Trail: 9mi round trip. Expect a lot of bugs!

History: There are many historical sites on and near the national seashore. You might consider visiting the Wright Brothers National Memorial or the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site.

Where to stay

Where to stay: When I went, I stayed at this Airbnb. It was super cheap and SO cute! I really enjoyed my stay and would definitely come back. If you aren’t a solo traveler you might consider this Airbnb. There is ample camping as well.

A one day/one night itinerary

Let me preface this itinerary by saying, in my one day at Cape Hatteras, I basically just spent six hours in the water, had dinner, and then went stargazing in the middle of the night. It was the perfect 24 hours for me, but if you’re looking for a more structured/packed itinerary, here is what I would suggest.

Early morning: sunrise at the lighthouse

Start the day with a spectacular sunrise! I use an app like xx or xx to determine how good the sunrise is going to be, and if it’s even worth getting up for. If you’re going on a clear day, it’s definitely worth it!

The best place to see sunrise is at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. As the first light of day emerges over the Atlantic Ocean, the sky transforms into a canvas of vibrant hues, casting a golden glow over the surrounding landscape. Simply breathtaking! After the sun has hit the horizon, you can take a leisurely stroll along the nearby boardwalk, breathing in the salty ocean air and feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin. 

Mid morning to mid afternoon: enjoy the beach

Pack a lunch, slather on the sunscreen, and enjoy some blissful hours at the beach. There are so many activities you can choose to do during this time, from surfing, to kiteboarding and wind boarding, to kayaking. I’d recommend 4-6 hours of uninterrupted time on the beach, but you’ll figure out what amount of time works best for you!

Afternoon: off-roading, visitor center, or nature walk

Next is a “choose your own adventure” path depending on what sounds fun to you. Either take a break from the blazing sun and step inside to the Hatteras Visitor Center, which contains a small museum with info on the Outer Banks history museum. You could also choose one of the shorter trails listed above and take a stroll in nature. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, rent an off-road vehicle and hit the sand!

Evening: Dinner at The Froggy Dog

Just 12 minutes from the Day Use Area is a fantastic burger place called The Froggy Dog. I’m not joking when I said it was one of the best burgers of my life. I couldn’t believe my eyes, it was HUGE. The leftovers were just as good the next day, too!

Night: Stargazing along the coast

Cape Hatteras National Seashore is known for having some of the darkest skies on the east coast. I’d recommend staying up late or waking up early to catch a glimpse at some of the gorgeous constellations in the sky!