As prices on everything continue to rise, we have to work harder to continue the tradition of the annual family vacation, unless your choice is to visit the Outer Banks. Not only are our Lighthouse View rooms, suites, and cottages remaining affordable in these difficult times, but we have made it our mission to make your vacation affordable. This guide to the top 4 free things to do in Cape Hatteras will help you enjoy a vacation full of excitement, not spending!
Watch Sunrise Over the Atlantic and Sunset Over the Sound
Sunrise and sunset watching is at the top of our list of free Hatteras Island things to do. Our property at Lighthouse View faces the Atlantic, making it easy to get up, fall in love with the views, and then head back to bed for a little bit more sleep. Sunset meals are a big thing around here, so a meal at Café Pamlico is where you can enjoy a locally sourced seafood dinner and the stunning display of the sun setting over the sound.
Join a Free Ranger-Led Program
Another popular item on our list of Cape Hatteras, NC, things to do is to join a free ranger-led program, offered through the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Summer is when the ranger program kicks into gear, featuring activities such as surf fishing and crabbing with a ranger. There are also a series of talks held with the rangers, including ones about the history of our OBX home and the lighthouses we are so proud of.
Bike NC-12 Through the Villages
In many parts of the world, you wouldn’t dare to think about biking on the highway, but this is North Carolina, and one of the most popular free things to do in Cape Hatteras is to bike through the villages of the Cape via NC Highway 12. Stretching out for 55 miles, you will have the choice of exploring the entire route, enjoying views of the Atlantic and the Sound as you pedal through beautiful OBX villages, or you can choose to just do sections if 55 miles is too much for a vacation. The tri-villages of Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo offer separate pathways off NC-12.
Spot Dolphins from the Beach or a Fishing Pier
There are many wonderful dolphin tours to be discovered in the area, but those cannot be included in our list of free things to do on Cape Hatteras. Fortunately, if you are trying to save a little money, you don’t have to miss out on seeing the dolphins altogether; you can often spot them from the beach or, if you are vigilant, you may even spot them from the balcony of our Outer Banks vacation homes. One of the best places to go to see dolphins without spending money is from the end of the Avon Fishing Pier, 600 feet out into the Atlantic Ocean. Early morning and late afternoon are when the waters are calmer, and the dolphins are more playful and visible, so keep that in mind.
Book Today
There will be plenty of items on your list of Hatteras Island things to do during your visit. Some will be free, some will cost money, and some will offer the most heartwarming memories of a family vacation done right. The latter will happen, of course, in our Cape Hatteras vacation rentals, so browse, consider, and book your favorite today!
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