Our Favorites For Making the Most of Your Hatteras Vacation
If you're looking for what to do on Hatteras Island, look no further! Our top ten list of island activities and favorites covers all the bases for a truly memorable time in the Outer Banks. There are so many adventures to be had and things to see on Hatteras Island, so get out there and enjoy yourself!
10. Take home a new pet!
No, we don't mean another furry friend. What better way to commemorate your Hatteras Island vacation than to take home a hermit crab? Easy to care for, these little crustaceans are fun for the whole family!
9. Go fly a kite!
The Cape Hatteras beach is the perfect place for catching the wind. Why else would the Wright Brothers choose the Outer Banks, NC to test out their flying machine? Let the breeze carry your worries away as you send that colorful kite soaring into the blue.
8. Learn something new!
Take a guided tour of Hatteras Island, learn all about the filming of Nights in Rodanthe and listen to tales of shipwrecks of old. If you prefer a more relaxed approach, visit the Chicamacomico Life Saving Station in Rodanthe, the historic U.S. Weather Bureau Station in Hatteras Village, or the wonderful Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. This history lesson is one you're guaranteed to enjoy, and the best part is there's no test!
7. Go surfing!
The water is fine and the waves are awesome on Hatteras Island, so grab a board and hang ten! Watersports are hands down the most popular way locals and visitors spend time on Hatteras Island. Whether you're a pro or you're just getting started, there are waves for every level. Rodanthe, on the northern end of the island, is a particularly good spot for beginners of all ages. There's no better time than your family Hatteras getaway to catch a wave!
6. Get some beach time!
Take some time during your Outer Banks vacation to kick off your shoes and get some sand between your toes. The beaches on Hatteras Island are fantastic! Take the kids and build a sandcastle, or roast marshmallows over a bonfire under the stars. You never have to go far either - many of our Hatteras rentals are within a short walk from the beach. You owe it to yourself-soak up some sun while you're here!
5. Eat up!
Fish, clams, oysters, shrimp, scallops, crab..is your mouth watering yet? We hope so, because Hatteras Island is home to some of the best seafood in the world! Dine out at one of Hatteras Island's fabulous restaurants, or get the catch of the day from one of our local seafood markets and show off your own culinary skills! Steamed, fried, or broiled, you really can't go wrong with fresh seafood.
4. Live it up on the water!
The adrenaline junkie in you will die for kite-boarding, a heart-pounding sport that races you over the waves by the power of the wind. Or take things a little more slowly in a kayak in the sound or the ocean. Whether you are in the mood for fast and exhilarating or peaceful and easy, or even something in-between, your vacation will not be complete without a Hatteras watersports adventure!
3. Climb the lighthouse!
Towering 208 feet above the sea, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse has stood guard over the North Carolina coast since 1868. Take your way up the 248 steps to take in the most spectacular view Hatteras Island has to offer. Gaze out over the ocean as lighthouse keepers did in centuries past, or wonder at the beauty of the surrounding woods. Don't forget your camera-this is the photo opportunity of a lifetime!
2. Go fishing!
Cast a line from the beach, a boat, or a fishing pier and reel in the big one. Nothing beats dining on the day's catch, but don't feel bad if the fish just aren't biting. At least your great fish stories will feed your family's hunger for entertainment! Let your inner angler loose! You'll fall for Hatteras Island fishing-hook, line, and sinker.
1. Relax.
No, seriously! No matter what chills you out the most, you are sure to find relaxation during your stay in any of our well-appointed Hatteras rentals. Take a soothing moonlit soak in a hot tub; curl up with a good book or a good movie; enjoy sunrises and sunsets galore right from the deck, or curl up in a hammock and listen to the ocean and the breeze. When you're on Hatteras Island, make sure to find some time to just relax.