12/30/2024
When you find yourself longing to travel somewhere new, scenic, and exciting, making your way to the Outer Banks of North Carolina is always the right choice! Travelers who haven’t ever experienced places like Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks certainly deserve to treat themselves to a journey this way when they have a moment to slow down, relax, and focus on fun instead of life’s hustle and bustle. Hatteras Island is a gorgeous and inviting vacation destination to explore that’s brimming over with natural beauty, packed with a rich history to discover, and a place where outdoor adventures are seemingly endless as well. Located off North Carolina’s coast and dividing the Pamlico Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, Hatteras Island has a lot to offer in the way of view, experiences, flavors, education, and engaging moments you won’t soon forget. Consider this first-time Hatteras Island visitor guide your helpful starting point for creating a one-of-a-kind trip in the near future!
Getting to Hatteras Island Is a Breeze
Travelers often set their sights on Hatteras Island when their looking to get far from life’s daily demands and connect with nature at its best. Fortunately, getting here from whatever point of origin you might have in place to enjoy those well-deserved moments ahead is refreshingly easy too. It’s entirely possible to make your way to Hatteras Island by plane, boat, or car depending on your travel preferences. If you decide to drive in from the north, you’ll be following N.C. Highway 12 to your final destination. In the event you’re arriving from the South, there are options to take the Ocracoke Island ferry in and pair your trip with great views before you even arrive! Boats from the mainland can also carry you into Hatteras Island and if you have your own vessel, you can utilize the ocean or Intracoastal Waterway to get your vacation underway here. Travelers who are looking to fly into Hatteras Island most frequently do so on smaller aircraft which can then land at the National Park Service’s Billy Mitchel Airfield in Frisco.
Getting Around Once You Arrive
First-time visitors will want to take note of the fact that Hatteras Island doesn’t have its own public transportation system in place. This keeps the villages charming and scenic while offering guests a chance to really relax and slow down. That said, if you want to explore the varying communities across Hatteras Island, having a rental car booked for the duration of your stay is usually a good idea. Some travelers also opt to rent bikes for their journey depending on the time of year they arrive and how far out from the village they’re staying in they plan to venture out.
Understanding Hatteras Island
Half the fun of a first-time visit to Hatteras Island can be coming across new places unexpectedly. However, having a general idea of how this destination is designed can be helpful too. The North end of Hatteras Island is occupied by Salvo, Waves, and Rodanthe. This collection of local communities sits about 12 miles from Oregon Inlet. While these communities are often lumped together in reference, each has its own charm, places to discover, and reasons to linger when you visit. The village of Avon sits several miles South of these three places and is home to movie theaters, a grocery store, and more luxurious homes. South of Avon visitors will find Buxton which hosts the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and is a popular place for surf Fishing. Frisco sits South of Buxton and is followed by Hatteras Village.
Best Times to Visit
The best time of year to visit Hatteras Island truly depends on your travel style and preferences. If you’re looking for a quiet getaway with cooler temperatures included, you’ll love planning a trip to Hatteras Island in the wintertime. The beaches are open for exploring and daytime highs in the mid-50s means that while you’ll want a jacket handy, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy time in the fresh air watching the waves roll in. Evening temperatures in the winter can drop into the upper 30s encouraging visitors to cozy up in local eateries and warm up in good company while enjoying a delicious meal.
A springtime visit to Hatteras Island typically comes with average temperatures that fluctuate between the 50s and 70s depending on the time of day. As the winter chill fades away, migratory birds begin to make their way to the shorelines and you can spot wildflowers beginning to bloom too. Restaurants that shutter their doors in the winter begin to open up once again and while you’ll see more fellow visitors than you would in winter, it’s still far less than the summer crowd.
Travelers who want to enjoy an authentic and vibrant getaway will love everything about Hatteras Island in the summertime. This is when Hatteras Island sees its most guests who come here to enjoy time on the water, the sand, in the restaurants, and checking out all the historic stops too. Daily average highs typically hit the 80s and 90s with evening lows only dropping into the 70s. Summer is the time of year when Hatteras Island generally sees the most rain but if you’re willing to keep an umbrella handy and keep your plans flexible it shouldn’t be a problem.
Fall is a fantastic time to find yourself on Hatteras Island with temperatures spanning the 50s to the 70s. Once school is back in session, crowds begin to thin out once again and those with a passion for birdwatching, surfing, and fishing will find this an idyllic time of year to add all of it to their itinerary.
Wonderful Attractions Not to Miss
No matter when you find yourself enjoying time away on Hatteras Island, there are a few must-experience local attractions that are worth your while to set aside time for. Among them is the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse which is easy to identify thanks to its stunning black-and-white façade. This structure is an impressive testament to architecture and the rich maritime culture that has long defined this vacation destination. You’re more than welcome to stop by and take pictures at ground-level year round, but if your trip has you heading this way in the spring, summer, or fall, you can also try climbing to the lighthouse observation deck if you’re up to the task. For a small fee, you’ll climb more than 200 steps up to the top and once you reach your destination, your reward comes in the form of gorgeous panoramic views that are truly breathtaking.
The Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is another must-see attraction on Hatteras Island for those first-time travelers who love getting into nature and spotting wildlife. This protected land is designed with a welcoming boardwalk on-site that’s used by birding enthusiasts in all seasons. Over 400 species of birds call the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge home at one time of year or another and when you want to learn more, dropping into the visitor center here is highly recommended.
History buffs will want to make sure to carve out time on the itinerary to explore the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station during their Hatteras Island journey as well. This is a one-stop hub for diving into the history of maritime rescue missions in the area and the museum is packed with incredible artifacts to browse.
Activities That Enhance Your Vacation Experience
There’s no shortage of options when it comes to adding versatile and inspiring activities to your list when you’re traveling to Hatteras Island for the first time. Sightseeing often appeals to those who are new to the area and a unique way to take in your surroundings while enjoying a one-of-a-kind excursion as well is to book a horseback riding tour through the team at Kitty Hawk Kites. When you sign up to ride, you’ll enjoy a lesson beforehand meaning you don’t have to be an expert equestrian to make the most of the experience. Once you’re in the saddle, these tours take you out through the Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve as well as along the scenic Cape Hatteras National Seashore alongside your local and friendly Hatteras Island visitor guide. It’s a new perspective on barrier island terrain and a fun way to make memories alongside family and friends while you’re here.
A trip to the Frisco Native American Museum is also a must for first-time visitors as its open year-round and hosts an impressive collection of artifacts that speak to the tribes that called Hatteras Island home long before settlers ever arrived. The museum first opened to the public in 1987 and is located in a building that’s over 100 years old.
If you’re excited to head to Hatteras Island for the first time and you consider yourself an avid angler, you’ll be thrilled to find this is an activity that you’re more than welcome to enjoy all year long! While many anglers focus their time casting a line on a summer journey in this direction, those who are ready to bundle up can also enjoy winter fishing in this area. Some popular places to drop a line and see what’s biting include the historic fishing pier in Avon as well as the pier in Rodanthe.
A trip to the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is always exciting when you head to Hatteras Island and you’re looking for a place that offers a fascinating overview of local shipwrecks. To date, there are estimated to be more than 600 sunken ships surrounding Hatteras Island, many of which fell victim to the Diamond Shoals. The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum pays tribute to those vessels as well as those who lost their lives onboard and presents visitors with a unique collection of onboard artifacts to browse.
Options to include on-the-water adventures to your itinerary when you visit during the warmer times of year are always exciting for first-time visitors. This is a popular place to enjoy everything from canoeing and kayaking to kiteboarding, parasailing, snorkeling, windsurfing, and paddleboarding too. If you want to pick up the pace, consider renting jet skis for a day and heading out alongside your fellow travelers for breathtaking fun on the waves.
Can’t Miss Restaurants
Hatteras Island is absolutely packed with amazing restaurants to enjoy but if you’re new to the area and have to narrow down the list to a few initially there are some top contenders to consider. Hatteras Sol Waterside Grill at 58646 North Carolina Highway 12 is a great place to dine when you’re in the mood for everything from scallop pasta and shrimp to crab soup. It’s open from April through October annually and boasts an impressive seasonal menu. It’s also a wonderful place to pair your plate with a beautiful sunset view from the open-air deck where they typically host live music in the summer.
Breakwater Restaurant at 57878 North Carolina Highway 12 in Hatteras is another delicious option for first-time visitors excited to enjoy savory menu options and amazing views too. The Cajun scallop tortellini is always a treat as you settle in on Oden’s Dock for a family-friendly meal with live music included in the experience. The outdoor seating area is covered for added comfort but it doesn’t take away from the beautiful Pamlico Sound vistas that await.
Book Amazing Accommodations That Fit Your Travel Style
No matter when you make your way to Hatteras Island for the first time, make sure your trip is infused with elevated standards of style, comfort, and a convenient location by booking your accommodations through Midgett Realty. We have sound front, canal front, and ocean view property options for small and large groups alike that keep you close to the places you can’t wait to explore. Whether you’re hoping to stay in Frisco, Buxton, Avon, Salvo, Waves, or Rodanthe, we have you and your traveling crew covered. Reach out today to learn more about our many property options available to book and how we can help you make your first getaway in this direction truly exceptional from start to finish. We look forward to seeing you in scenic Hatteras Island soon!
