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Travel + Leisure

This North Carolina Island Is Home to a National Seashore, Quiet Beach Villages, and the Tallest Lighthouse in the U.S.

Stay in one of the residential-style suites at Edgecamp Pamlico Station. Spend a day learning to kitesurf on the Pamlico Sound; Kitty Hawk Kites offers lessons. Try the famous Apple Ugly from Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe. See the historic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in the U.S. Plan your visit for the fall, when the temperatures are still mild and the summer tourists have left. 'There are things we just don't have here,' Karla Jarvis, the president of the Hatteras Village Civic Association, tells Travel + Leisure. 'There are no big-box stores, no McDonald's, and you won't be going to a theater to catch a movie.' But that's the beauty of Hatteras Island, North Carolina—it's wild, rustic, and laid-back, even in peak tourist season. The southernmost of the Outer Banks' main barrier islands, Hatteras Island and its seven villages—Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras Village—are all located within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, a 70-mile stretch of stunning sandy beaches, salt marshes, and maritime forests. The island is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Pamlico Sound on the other, leading to ideal conditions for kayakers, fishermen, and paddleboarders. This particular geography also creates a haven for kiteboarders; the reliable winds, shallow water, and flat sand have led Hatteras Island to become one of the most well-known kiteboarding destinations in the world. Even if you're not interested in harnessing the power of wind for sport, Hatteras Island is still worth a visit. Its storied history, classic charm, and calm, relaxed energy are all reasons to plan a beach trip to this part of the Outer Banks. If you aren't careful, though, you may find you want to stay forever. 'One week is never long enough,' says Shirley Wicker, director of Hatteras Island Ocean Center. A guest room in Edgecamp Pamlico Station. Opened in 2024, Edgecamp Pamlico Station is the most stylish hotel on the island. Designed by Jonathan Adler, the 700-square-foot one-bedroom suites have kitchens, living rooms with pull-out sofas, and outdoor spaces. When you're not resting in your room after a long day of kiteboarding or exploring the seashore, enjoy the property's sauna, cold plunge, and hot tub. There are even Therabody massage guns and yoga gear in the rooms, just in case you need to work through any soreness or stiffness from your chosen outdoor activities. If you're traveling with a family or a larger group, or you're planning on staying on Hatteras Island for an extended period, your best bet is to rent a vacation home. You can look through Airbnb or Vrbo, but there are also a number of other rental companies, like Surf or Sound Realty, Hatteras Realty, and Sun Realty. The National Park Service (NPS) operates four campsites on Hatteras Island: Oregon Inlet, Frisco, Cape Point, and Ocracoke. Each campground is open year-round and has spots for tents, trailers, and RVs. Depending on the campground, you either make a reservation or request a site day of, but all payments are made online. Interior of the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum with exhibit. 'Hands down, the best thing you can do is walk down the beach barefoot,' says Jarvis. 'It's such a sensory experience. You feel the sun, the sand; you smell and taste the salt. The sound of the waves and seagulls just grounds you.' Aside from simply walking or relaxing on the pristine beaches, you can go shelling—keep an eye out for the rare Scotch bonnet, North Carolina's state shell—or venture down the shore on horseback with Equine Adventures. There have been a few versions of the historic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse; the first one, a 90-foot-tall structure, was completed in 1803. The current lighthouse, built in 1870, stands at exactly 198.49 feet, with 269 steps up to the lens room. In years past, visitors have been able to climb all the way to the top, but the lighthouse is undergoing restoration efforts and, according to the NPS, likely won't reopen until summer 2026. You can still take all the pictures you want of the iconic black-and-white striped structure. 'Hatteras Island has a lot of history woven into its tapestry,' says Jarvis, who adds that visitors should keep their eyes out for all sorts of historical markers and signs and make it a point to visit the various museums and educational centers on the island. 'The Lost Colony Museum in Buxton houses artifacts from our earliest inhabitants forward; the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is a great place to learn about maritime history; there's a museum at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and in Frisco, there's the Native American Museum & Natural History Center that showcases native history,' she says. The Atlantic Ocean is to the east of Hatteras Island, and the Pamlico Sound is to the west, creating plenty of opportunities to get on the water. 'We have charter boats, head boats, ferry boats, all kinds of boats. You can also rent kayaks and other water gear. At our Ocean Center here in Hatteras Village, we offer guided kayak tours where you pretty much show up and paddle,' says Jarvis. Several companies in the area have rental services; check out Hatteras Parasail, Hatteras Watersports, or Slask Creek Outfitters. Kiteboarders of all skill levels flock to Hatteras Island—and for good reason. This part of the Outer Banks is known for its consistently strong winds, particularly in the spring and fall, and the Pamlico Sound offers the flat, shallow waters that aid in teaching beginners. Take a class with Kitty Hawk Kites, then test your new hobby at Kite Point in Buxton. A white house in Buxton Village on Cape Hatteras. If you're a Nicholas Sparks fan, Rodanthe will ring a bell; Richard Gere and Diane Lane starred in the movie version of the author's 2002 novel 'Nights in Rodanthe.' This enclave is part of the Tri-Villages on the northernmost end of the island (Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo are located right next to each other), and it's where you'll find the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, a safe place for migratory birds to rest and winter. The village of Waves is known for two things: water sports and a quiet atmosphere. So grab your surfboard or kiteboard—or rent one from Real Watersports—and enjoy a peaceful day on the water. Similar to Waves, Salvo is popular among water sports enthusiasts and visitors in search of a restful retreat. Nature is another draw; Salvo sits right between the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge's wetlands and the Salvo Day Use Area, which has a beach, restrooms, a picnic area, and a couple of grills. You'll find Avon at the halfway point of Hatteras Island. One of the more developed communities on the island, Avon has several restaurants, gift shops, a spa, a medical center, and the area's only chain grocery store (Food Lion). Anyone visiting Hatteras Island will eventually make their way to Buxton, home to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and several restaurants and shops. It also has the most year-round residents on the island. Secluded but still convenient to the stores and other amenities in Buxton or Hatteras Village, Frisco appeals to visitors who want to fish, surf, or camp; the Frisco Woods Campground has cabins, tent sites, and RV hookups. 'I have to say, I'm pretty partial to Hatteras Village. I grew up here, I still live here. It's at the end of the island, and it's just a little quieter down here,' says Jarvis. Located on the southern end of the island, Hatteras Village (or just 'Hatteras') is one of the best spots in the Outer Banks for fishing; the Gulf Stream, which is just 15 miles away, brings in warm water and, with it, warm-water fish. The entrance and pastries from Orange Blossom Bakery. You can't go to Buxton's Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe without ordering its famous pastry: the Apple Ugly (basically an apple fritter). While there, pick up a few donuts, walnut sticky buns, and cheese danishes. It is vacation, after all. 'I can say the best smash burger I've ever had came from our village food truck, Toucana,' says Jarvis. Located on NC Highway 12 in Hatteras, Toucana also serves up burritos, tacos, hot dogs, and breakfast sandwiches. It's the perfect pre- or post-beach stop, and you can even order online to pick up on the go. Hatteras Island is a casual place, and The Froggy Dog embraces this attitude while simultaneously serving up delicious fare. The menu has something for everyone—chicken wings, Hatteras-style clam chowder, jumbo shrimp, and quarter-pound hot dogs. According to Jarvis, 'You just can't beat breakfast at Sonny's.' Family-owned for more than 40 years, the Hatteras waterfront restaurant is somewhere you want to arrive hungry. Expect hearty breakfast entrees, like homemade biscuits and sausage gravy or pancakes, or come for lunch or dinner and order the hushpuppies and crab cakes. Interior shots of Buxton Village Books. 'Our locally owned grocery stores—Conner's Supermarket in Buxton and the Village Market Red & White in Hatteras—are great options for your grocery needs,' says Jarvis. Both are historic island businesses, with the former dating back to 1959 and the latter having roots that go back to 1866—although Village Market Red & White was renovated and renamed in 2018. 'Lee Robinson General Store has some great specialty grocery items and an unsurpassed wine selection,' says Jarvis. The Hatteras Village staple, which Wicker also recommends, has been around since 1948, providing locals and visitors alike with all kinds of sweets, snacks, and souvenirs. If you need to pick up a beach read, Jarvis recommends Buxton Village Books. A local favorite, the independently owned bookstore is now in its 41st year of service (it first opened in 1984), and it has everything from the newest bestsellers you keep meaning to read to children's books, mugs, and T-shirts. A couple walks along the beach on Cape Hatteras. According to Wicker, early fall is the best time to visit; the weather is mild—expect temperatures between the mid-60s and low 80s—the beaches are less crowded, and there are still plenty of opportunities to fish, kiteboard, and gather around a beach bonfire. (Note that bonfires require a permit and are only allowed in specific areas of the island.) But, says Jarvis, the best time to visit Hatteras Island is determined by your perspective. 'I love the fall, but if you're in it for the beach, you're going to love the summer. If you have young children, summer is probably the right time to visit.' Even in the height of summer, temperatures on the island are relatively comfortable. The average daily highs in July and August hover around 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Marc Basnight Bridge on the way to Cape Hatteras. Most travelers drive onto Hatteras Island via NC Highway 12 on the north end. There's also the option to arrive by private boat, and there are a few marinas on Hatteras Island. If you plan on flying and then renting a car for the final leg of the journey, you'll want to look at flights into either Virginia's Norfolk International Airport (ORF) or Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in North Carolina. ORF is roughly three hours from the island, and the drive from RDU will take just over four hours. You'll need a car to explore the island; there's no public transportation, and the island's towns are a bit too far apart to comfortably bike between them. That said, you can bike around the individual villages, and rentals are available from Slask Creek Outfitters in Hatteras and Island Cycles, which has locations in Rodanthe and Avon.