05/08/2025
If you have yet to plan your Hatteras Island vacation, now is the time to start! With our local’s guide on where to sleep, swim, and stuff your face, we’ll help you get started with some tips and tricks that will help streamline your planning process and make your Outer Banks beach vacation one that dreams are made of!
Where to Sleep
Midgett Realty has a vast portfolio of more than 500 vacation rental homes, each thoughtfully selected to be the perfect home base for your next Hatteras Island vacation. From ocean to sound and everywhere in between, we have exactly what you’re looking for in the way of location, amenities, and access to the island’s hottest beaches, eateries, shops, and attractions! If you haven’t already selected your spot in the sand, we have all of the search tools needed to narrow down the results based on exactly what you want and need. If that doesn’t work, call one of our agents today who are always happy to assist!
Where to Swim
Water lovers will be in heaven when they visit Hatteras Island. Splash around in the salty waves of the Atlantic Ocean, find peace in the still, shallow waters of the Pamlico Sound, float in your professionally maintained private pool, or unwind in your own bubbly hot tub with views of Hatteras Island’s famously darkened skies!
While you don’t have to leave your rental home to access the private pool or hot tub (should your home provide them), hitting the beach or sound may require a little footwork, depending on where you’re staying. Generally speaking, a good variety of oceanside rentals are within walking distance to a public beach access, but that’s definitely not the case for all of them. Should you not be in the near vicinity of an access point, Hatteras Island is ideal in that it offers several park-maintained ORV Ramps, most of which also provide parking and boardwalks for those who want/need to walkover. Other good beaches to safely frequent are the lifeguarded beaches (Memorial Day to Labor Day) at the Rodanthe Public Beach Access, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and Frisco Bath Houses. The Rodanthe and Avon Piers are also nice so that you have snacks and sips readily available from the pier houses if needed.
Soundside access points are a little less abundant, but still easily available. If you have an ORV permit, there are various routes available, but not quite as many parking lots for those on foot. That being said, be sure to try the Salvo Day Use Area, Canadian Hole (referred to as “Haulover Day Use Area” on the NPS ORV Access map, Kite Point (located just south of Canadian Hole), and Sandy Bay (between the villages of Frisco and Hatteras) if parking is the most convenient.
Where to Stuff Your Face
Hatteras Island is well known for its locally sourced seafood that comes directly off the boat and into the hands of some of our favorite restauranteurs. That doesn’t mean we don’t take care of our land lovers! If you’re looking for some gourmet flare, whether it be from the water or the land, we recommend heading to Hatteras Village, the foodie hot spot! In peak season, you’re likely going to find a wait in your future, but we can nearly guarantee it will be worth it. Perk alert: each of the following have phenomenal bar service that is available to you while you wait! Dinky’s Waterfront Restaurant has a lower soundfront deck and inside waiting area. Hatteras Sol Waterside Grill and Breakwater Restaurant are also great options with soundfront decks and outdoor bars.
Standard seafood fare, fresh and delicious, is obviously not to be overlooked on this list. Sticking to Hatteras Village originals, don’t miss out on Sonny’s Restaurant, the OG seafood hot spot. Family run for 50 years, this is the place to get your fried and broiled seafood staples. Find similar deliciousness in Buxton at Diamond Shoals Restaurant! Side note, both establishments also offer a yummy sit down breakfast! For something on the steamier side, be sure to try The Mad Crabber in Avon. While they also have a good variety of the basics, their tagline says it all: “we shell out the best!” And they aren’t joking! From steamed crablegs and shrimp to seafood boil pots and more, you won’t want to miss this stop on the list.
Speaking of Diamond Shoals Restaurant, don’t overlook this Buxton attraction as your Hatteras Island sushi haven. While they have a full menu that will feed any palette, their sushi bar is undoubtedly the MVP. Their sushi menu is both unique and extensive, with daily specials that are fire. With a seafood market in the same building, you can also rest easy knowing you’re indulging in the freshest of Hatteras Island ingredients.
Pizza is also a Hatteras Island staple that you should NOT leave without trying. All of the following offer dine-in or take-out. For a hand-tossed, craft pizza and a full bar of delicious cocktails, you’ll want to hit Isola Pizzeria and Bar in Hatteras Village. If the kids are need of getting out some energy on a rainy day while also getting some solid sustenance, you can’t go wrong with Angelo’s Pizza in Buxton. Their game room in the back is filled with hours of entertainment for your whole crew and they also offer a pretty solid slice. Be sure to try to their stuffed crust! Lalo’s Taco’s & Pizzeria is next on the must-try list, taking over the previously well-known Nino’s Pizza in Avon. Their menu is a little more diverse with a large offering that expands its way through American, Italian, and Mexican cuisine. Pizza and tacos? Duh! Finally, if you’re looking for a slice on the northern end of the island, you can’t miss Lisa’s Pizzeria, an island tradition for 40 years! Great stewards of our community that also offer delicious pizza, you can sink your teeth into a delicious pie knowing you’re also supporting a Hatteras Island.
Lesser known food trucks are quietly becoming all the rage on Hatteras Island, because while their trucks may be small, their flavors are mighty! Toucana Grill in Hatteras Village features a menu that boasts “California Cuisine” vibes and is serious fire for the foodies out there. Stu’s Food Truck at the base of the Avon Pier is another hot spot that hosts breakfast and lunch with fan favorites that include a pork roll sandwich, homemade sausage gravy, and breakfast tacos! Roots & Leaves travels through the villages a little more, but they offer vegan donuts and an espresso bar, so catch them if you can! Taqueria Las Ahumaderas sits in the parking lot of Neptunes Kitchen and Dive Bar in Rodanthe and has a variety of Mexican eats including tacos, burritos, enchiladas, tortas, nachos, and more!
Your Outer Banks Beach Vacation is Waiting
Summer vacationing on Hatteras Island is all about embracing the simple joys of coastal life. From sunrise walks on quiet beaches to afternoons filled with kayaking, fishing, or just lounging in the salty breeze, the island offers a peaceful retreat that’s hard to beat. Local shops, friendly faces, and unbeatable local flavors make it feel like a home away from home. As the days wind down with stunning sunsets and star-filled skies, you’ll find it hard not to start planning your next trip back!
