The landscape of Cape Hatteras, of the entire Outer Banks area, is what has made us one of the most popular vacation destinations in the nation, offering pristine beaches, gorgeous countryside, and a fascinating habitat for wildlife of all types. You don’t travel to Cape Hatteras to see skyscrapers and cultural events; you come here to find your inner peace and to explore a world that is naturally serene, welcoming, and magical, and in the case of our Lighthouse View retreats, the most comfortable spaces on earth. Today, we want to shine the spotlight on a Cape Hatteras wildlife and nature journey that will make you wonder why you waited so long to visit this part of North Carolina for the first time!
Day 1: The Cape Hatteras National Seashore
You’ve been dreaming of Outer Banks beaches even before you knew that you would visit this area one day, and of course, on the first day of your journey, we aren’t going to make you wait any longer. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore awaits you, offering beachy adventures, serene moments, and some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets in the world. You could start your day with a walk along shore’s edge at sunrise, watching the skies lighten as color pours back into your world, spend the better part of your day savoring the sun, the sand, and the surf, stopping your games only when the sun sets, falling into the sea with an explosion of fiery color. And when the moon rises, casting an ethereal glow over the sand and sea, you may find yourself back at the spots you walked twice today, discovering that the beach life hits differently in the moonlight. Your exploration of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore is going to answer questions in your soul that you never knew had been asked.
Day 2: Hatteras Island Ocean Center, 57204 North Carolina 12 Mile Marker 71 in Hatteras
Space is often considered the final frontier, but did you know that 95% of the ocean has yet to be explored? We’ve only discovered 5% of what lies beneath the ocean’s surface, and the Hatteras Island Ocean Center is where we will send you on day two, helping you uncover some of the mysteries of the sea. Open in the warmer months (the beginning of May is the average opening date), guests can learn about sea turtles, engage in guided kayak tours, even explore the night sky while making s’mores over a campfire. There is so much left of the ocean to discover, and although you aren’t even going to make a dent in all that you have to learn, you will come away from your Ocean Center adventures with a greater appreciation of the land and sea.
Day 3: The Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve Between Buxton and Frisco
Humans are nature’s biggest enemy, making reserves and refuges an important of the Outer Banks landscape, and on day three, we are going to send you to the woods for an exploration of the Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve. Offering “the largest remaining contiguous tract of Marine Evergreen Forest on the Atlantic Coast,” according to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, you’ll find trails that will lead you into some of the most beautiful countryside in the Outer Banks. The migratory birds who rest here during their fall journey to warmer climes include bald eagles and peregrine falcons, and the Cape Hatteras wildlife that make this reserve their home includes mink, gray fox, river otters and so much more. Butterfly enthusiasts may thrill to hear that two rare species, the northern hairstreak and the giant swallowtail, have been documented in the area as well.
Day 4: Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge in Rodanthe
Your vacation of natural wonders continues on day four with a visit to the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, home to over 350 species of birds, 25 species of mammals, 24 species of reptiles, and five species of amphibians. Trails will lead visitors into the heart of the refuge, which is a favorite of bird watchers especially, and whether you are looking towards the sky for bald eagles, the sea for loggerhead sea turtles, or the land for white-tailed deer, we can promise you that every minute of your Pea Island adventure will excite and thrill you and your entire family. Alligators can also be found at this refuge, but more can be found at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, located in East Lake, about an hour and a half away from Cape Hatteras.
Day 5: Exploring the Natural and Comfortable Beauty of Lighthouse View
Some of your best wildlife experiences may take place within steps of the front door to your Lighthouse View North Carolina sanctuary. Watch for birds in the sky, sea turtles as you frolic in the waters, and let the natural serenity of the sea burrow its way into your heart. Reserve your favorite escape today!
