The Cape Hatteras National Seashore isn’t just one beach, it is a long stretch of sand that encompasses many beaches, including the beach we want to talk about today, Coquina Beach. Located along Highway 12 just south of Nags Head, this beach does not offer commercial development but offers a serene and quiet experience just as others have experienced for hundreds of years. This stunning beach is a bit further from our Lighthouse View vacation rentals, located about 40 miles away, but it is definitely one we recommend that our guests visit, and this guide will offer some examples as to why we know it will become one of your favorite Outer Banks experiences.
A History of Shipwrecks
Before navigation systems and lighthouses, the barrier islands were magnets for shipwrecks, making this area extremely popular with treasure hunters. But even after the advent of lighthouses, navigating the waters around the Outer Banks could be dangerous, and in 1921 the Laura A. Barnes, a four-masted schooner named after her Captain’s wife, discovered just how dangerous they could be. It was a foggy and stormy night in May, when the doomed ship ran aground on Bodie Island, and although the entire crew was rescued, the ship was a total loss and her captain eventually sold everything of value, including the cargo, for a staggering $80,000. Why are we talking about this shipwreck in the middle of a discussion of Coquina Beach, you might ask? Because, even as the crash happened about a mile away, in 1983 the National Park Service moved the wreckage from its original location to Coquina Beach where they can still be seen on most days, but occasionally are covered by sand and sea, making it a cool beach adventure!
A Day at the Beach
Aside from tales of shipwrecks, today’s Cape Hatteras Coquina Beach is a popular one, offering full facilities, the ability to have bonfires (permits are needed and this is a seasonal amenity, not a year round one) and searching for seashells, including the Coquina clam seashells for which the beach was named due to their abundance. In the summer months this is a lifeguarded beach. The currents here can get rough, so it is best not to swim when there is no lifeguard on duty.
All Roads Lead Back to Lighthouse View
After a long day of North Carolina explorations, coming home to Lighthouse View will be exactly what you need to recuperate and recover. Reserve your favorite beachfront escape today!
