07/30/2024
There are vacations and then there are bucket list vacations. Things you’ve seen on Instagram or magazines or TV and thought “I’m going to do that before x, y, x”. The time to fulfill your Hatteras Island bucket list activities is absolutely right now. Don’t let today pass you by without taking steps to make your dreams come true!
Hatteras Island Bucket List Activities
There’s nothing quite like driving down Highway 12 with the dunes on one side, dotted with sea oats dancing in the gentle breeze, and the Pamlico Sound on the other, emanating sweet tranquility. Except catching this scene from a bird’s eye view! The crew at Hatteras Parasail takes you up, dips you down, and gives you an all-time view of Hatteras Island and an experience in the sky that you can’t quite replicate anywhere else. If you think you’ve seen all that Hatteras Island has to offer, you’ll want to try Hatteras Parasail to ensure that’s true!
Book A Charter
Man vs beast is the tale as old as time. While we’ve hunted for our food since the beginning of existence, it’s not quite as run-of-the-mill as it once was now that we have grocery stores and eateries within arm’s reach…essentially at all times. Get back to basics and invest in a one-of-a-kind fishing story (and delicious feast) that can be passed down for generations to come when you book a charter with one of the many experienced captains at Hatteras Landing or Teach’s Lair Marina.
Steamed Shrimp at Risky
Risky Business Seafood Co. is a Hatteras Island staple quietly tucked below Breakwater Restaurant at Oden’s Dock in Hatteras Village. With an assortment of fresh seafood caught and replenished daily, one must-try is their spicy steamed shrimp, made to order in-house. Paired with a cold beer from the dock store next door, you’re in for a treat that in itself will make the trek to Hatteras a trip worthwhile. While seafood aficionados may be wondering what the big deal is about this recipe as old as time, it’s both the perfection at which they steam and spice these juicy crustaceans, but also the overall vibe of sitting at the picnic tables on the dock with the sun on your face and the salty breeze in your hair as the fishermen flutter around from boat to boat, telling their daily fishing stories as they haul in their fresh catch. Often abuzz in the afternoon around 3 or 4pm, you’ll find folks and pups alike perusing the docks as they join in on the local culture of this laidback fishing village. What better way to soak it in than with some spicy steamed shrimp? We can’t think of anything!
Eat Boat to Table
Fresh off the boat and straight to your table, try the variety of restaurants dotting the villages of Hatteras Island that boast the freshest of ingredients from our coastal waters. Succulent shrimp, plump and juicy oysters, scallops bursting with flavor, mouthwatering clams, and in-season fish, all cooked in an assortment of authentic, local dishes.
Dance on the Deck at Breakwater Restaurant
Breakwater Restaurant is perfectly perched above Oden’s Dock with the intention of a one-of-a-kind dining experience unlike anywhere else. Lined with beautiful hardwood floors, painted wood walls, and wall-to-wall windows overlooking the marina, the dining room is outfitted with tasteful artwork and classic furnishings. But nothing quite compares to a night out on the deck. Whether you choose to dine in their chic dining room, lovely wraparound bar, or even al fresco, you’ll still want to spend some time outside once the plates are cleared. With live, local music performed almost nightly, there’s nothing more romantic than grabbing your dance partner of choice for a spin around the open deck in the salty breeze as the sky repaints itself through each stage of a magical island sunset.
Climb The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
While the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is currently closed for climbing due to a restoration project that is expected to last until Summer 2026, it’s still worth mentioning that climbing the nation’s tallest lighthouse is a bucket list must. Climb the 257 steps to get the BEST view Hatteras Island has to offer of the infamous Graveyard of the Atlantic for memories your sure never to forget. Then level up and conquer one of the few full moon climbs to be able to say you’ve truly done it all!
Cast a Line at Cape Point
Where the cold Labrador current and the warm Gulf Stream meet, you’ll find world-class surf fishing that keeps anglers coming back again and again. Grab an ORV permit, pack the cooler, and back your truck up to the ocean’s edge (not literally though) for a full day of tug-of-war with the ocean’s finest inhabitants.
Per the NPS: Enjoy your day fishing, just remember any person aged 16 and older who wants to fish recreationally in any water designated as coastal and joint waters of North Carolina must purchase a Coastal Recreational Fishing License . This license can be purchased on a 10-day, annual or lifetime basis, or combined with a variety of licenses issued by the Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC). State of North Carolina fishing regulations such as size and limits may apply.
Yoga on The Beach
If you love life on the mat, you’ll love the experience of practicing on your mat while it’s in the sand. Join Mary Joyner, owner of Dare to Yoga, for one of her many offerings on the beautiful beaches of Hatteras Island. Beginners need not feel intimidated as she books both individual and group classes for all levels. Regardless of your experience level, you’ll leave feeling more calm and connected than when you arrived as you take part of this ancient practice with the ocean, sand, and sun all around you.
Support a Local Artisan
From the lampwork beads hand-crafted at Family Jewels to the multitude of artwork created at Blue Pelican Gallery, Gifts, and Yarn, take the time to peruse and support the many top-notch galleries from Salvo to Hatteras that make up Hatteras Island’s Gallery Tour. You can also find artists that create on a smaller scale and/or aren’t in galleries in one of the many local markets and craft shows throughout the island’s seven villages. Whether you find a stunning piece of jewelry, a unique piece of pottery, or a painting that you just can’t live without, you’ll not only be supporting a local artisan, but you’ll also be investing in a treasure that will make you smile every time you see it.
