There are lots of reasons you may be considering an Outer Banks vacation in the Cape Hatteras area, exploring restaurants, shops, and where the wild ponies roam with equal abandon, but we at Lighthouse View can pretty much guarantee that your main reason for landing at our doorstep is the beach. Our beaches are world famous, offering soft white sands that frame beautiful water and a variety of backdrops that range from sand dunes to sea oats, beach cottages, and lighthouses, all working together to create an experience that will never be forgotten. And because we want our guests to enjoy everything this part of the world has to offer, we have created this guide to the top five beaches on Hatteras Island for you to peruse for ideas on how to fill in the blank spaces of your vacation itinerary!
Cape Point
Often described as one of the prettiest beaches in the Cape Hatteras area, Cape Point (also referred to as simply “the point”) it is also one of our oldest attractions. This is the beach that has attracted travelers and fisherman for hundreds of years, offering many of the best fishing spots in the state and some of the best scenic views in the world. Beach driving permits are required, making it possible for beachgoers to actually drive on the sand in 4WD vehicles, but we urge you to stay where the sand is packed tighter and don’t be enticed to wander into fluffier sand spots or you’ll risk paying big bucks to get towed out!
Coquina Beach
Coquina Beach, named for the proliferation of coquina clams in the area, is another favorite beach in the Hatteras area, this one offering a lifeguard station that is manned during the season (Memorial Day through Labor Day), bathrooms, changing rooms, and outdoor showers. The sunsets off Coquina Beach will change your life forever, and although it can be fun walking along shore’s edge, keeping an eye out for pretty seashells, the current is rather rough here, and swimming can be a bit difficult for those who aren’t strong and confident swimmers.
Ocracoke Beach
We’re wandering a little further afoot with a visit to Ocracoke Beach, but there is more to this beach than sand, sun, and surf, and we think it is worth the extra drive. Its history fascinates, especially for travelers with children, as this is the area where the pirate Blackbeard was known to roam, using many of its inlets as hiding places and eventually losing his life in a battle just off the Ocracoke coast. Located not far from the Ocracoke wild pony pens, your day on the beach may involve searching for pirate treasure and views of the feral ponies that, although they are penned in for their safety, still roam wild and free.
Frisco Beach
As you may discover during your Outer Banks vacation, the Atlantic Ocean can be a chilly place to swim, but the waters off Frisco Beach may be your salvation if you are sensitive to the chill. Offering warmer waters than other beaches in Hatteras NC due to the Gulf Stream, swimming may be more comfortable for you or for small children who also do not like the cold. Frisco Beach is also popular with water sport enthusiasts, including kiteboarders, surfers, and kayakers, and there are many shops in the area that rent the equipment and offer lessons if any of these extracurricular activities seem like something that would interest you. And in spite of its popularity, Frisco is where you may find quiet stretches of beach that are a little more secluded and private, offering a serene experience to all who frolic there.
The Beach You Have Been Watching From Your Spot on the Deck of Your Lighthouse View Retreat
You can drive short distances to explore the first four beaches on this list, but the white sands you have been watching from your chair on the deck will probably end up being your favorite. All you need to do is step out your door, walk down a few steps and then walk a few more, and sandy beaches, clear waters, and the adventures you have been dreaming about for years will all be yours. Stake your claim on a part of the beach you can see from the window over the sink, marking your boundaries with beach chairs, beach towels, and umbrella, and your cooler, spending the day splashing in the surf, relaxing on white sands, and feeling the magic of the ocean settle into your soul!
And when the sun falls into the horizon and your tired body says It is time for a shower and a rest, you won’t have to carry sleeping toddlers far, coming back to your comfy spot and preparing for a night of deep sleep and happy dreams. Reserve your favorite Lighthouse View beach sanctuary today!
