CHNS staff collect 938 balloons off the beach, and more National Seashore updates for the week of June 13

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) announced several recent updates related to recreational activities and events on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands in their most recent edition of the Cape Chronicle Newsletter.

News items and events related to the National Seashore for the week of June 13 include the following:

Seashore Updates

• Cape Hatteras National Seashore staff collected 370 balloons last month, and 938 balloons have been collected in the first five months of 2023. In 2022, Cape Hatteras National Seashore staff collected an estimated 733 balloons during the entire year.
• The North Carolina Beach Buggy Association (NCBBA) is coordinating a volunteer beach cleanup event from 7:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 17. Anyone interested in participating in the cleanup can pick up garbage bags at Cape Hatteras National Seashore oceanside off-road vehicle ramps 2 through 55, and ramp 70. For more information, contact Tom Brueckner at tom.brueckner@ncbba.org.
• Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s popular “Kayak with a Ranger” and “Crabbing with a Ranger” programs began last week.
  • To sign up to participate in these programs, you must call the following phone numbers beginning the Saturday prior to the program date:
    • Call 252-513-2457 to pre-register for the Kayak with a Ranger program.
    • Call 252-966-1761 to pre-register for the Crabbing with a Ranger program.
  • The Kayak with a Ranger program is held Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30-10 a.m.
  • The Crabbing with a Ranger program is held Tuesdays and Fridays from 9-10:30 a.m.
  • Visit the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial website calendars for full listings of ranger-led educational programs.
• For current beach access information, visit go.nps.gov/beachaccess.
• Text OBXBeachConditions to 77295 to sign up for beach-related weather and ocean condition alerts. Visitors can also view the daily rip current forecast at www.weather.gov/beach/mhx.

Upcoming Events

Bodie Island

Educational Programs

Lighting the Way for 150 Years – Bodie Island Lighthouse

• Dates: Daily from 11-11:30 a.m.
• Location: Meet on the back porch of the Keeper’s Quarters
• Details: Discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel.

Shaping These Barrier Islands

• Dates: Daily from 2:30-3 p.m.
• Location: Meeting on the back porch of the Keeper’s Quarters
• Details: Wars, hurricanes, winds, and ocean currents have all had impacts on the shores of Cape Hatteras. Join us to learn about some of these events and the changes they have made to these islands.

Crabbing with a Ranger

• Dates: Tuesdays and Fridays from 9-10:30 a.m.
• Details: Ever wanted to try your hand at catching blue crabs? Rangers bring the gear, you bring the bait. Call 252-966-1761 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program. There is a six-minute walk to get from meeting location to the program location.

Bodie Island Visitor Center

• The Bodie Island Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Bodie Island Lighthouse Climbing

• Dates: Daily with first climb at 9 a.m. and final climb at 5:40 p.m.
• Details: Climbing tickets are available only on the day of intended climb. Buy tickets at www.recreation.gov/ticket/252034/ticket/10087143 (tickets are available to purchase online beginning at 7 a.m. daily; tickets cannot be purchased in person).

Hatteras Island

Educational Programs

Lighting the Way for Over 150 years

• Dates: Daily from 11-11:30 a.m.
• Location: Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
• Details: Discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel and learn about restoration efforts.

Shaping These Barrier Islands

• Dates: Daily from 2:30-3 p.m.
• Location: Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
• Details: Wars, hurricanes, winds and ocean currents have all had impacts on the shores of Cape Hatteras. Join us to learn about some of these events and the changes they have made to these islands.

Totally Turtles

• Dates: Monday-Friday from 12-12:30 p.m.
• Location: Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion.
• Details: Learn about sea turtles through interactive games and activities for all ages.

Kayak with a Ranger

• Dates: Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30-10:30 a.m.
• Details: Join a ranger to explore salt marshes and the surrounding waters of the Pamlico Sound on this easy kayak program. Minimum age is 7. All equipment is provided. To register, you must call 252-513-2457 beginning the Saturday prior to the program.

Hatteras Light at Night

• Dates: Tuesdays from 9-9:45 p.m. (First program TONIGHT)
• Location: Park in the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse parking lot.
• Details: Bring blankets and chairs for the evening of stars and stories on the grounds of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

Surf Fish with a Ranger

• Dates: Wednesdays from 8:30-10 a.m.
• Details: Ever wanted to try your hand at surf fishing? Rangers bring the rods, you bring the bait. Call 252-513-2457 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.

Old Days at the Weather Station

• Dates: Every other Wednesday from 2:30-3 p.m. (beginning July 12)
• Location: Meet at the U.S. Weather Bureau Station in Hatteras Village.
• Details: Come explore the historic U.S. Weather Bureau Station and hear amazing stories that intertwine with our own lives and major historic events.

Soundside Explorers

• Dates: Fridays from 9:30-11 a.m.
• Details: Join a ranger for this activity-based exploration of the Pamlico Sound. Registration is required. Call 252-513-2457 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.

Museum of the Sea

• The Museum of the Sea, located across from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, is open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

• The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is not open; however, the grounds outside the lighthouse are open 24/7.

Ocracoke Island

Educational Programs

Bird Walk

• Dates: Tuesdays from 8:30-9:30 a.m.
• Location: Meet at the beach access parking lot adjacent to the Ocracoke Campground.
• Details: An introduction to the birds of Ocracoke. Meet winged residents and those traveling the Atlantic Flyway. Binoculars are available.

Banker Ponies

• Dates: Wednesdays (start date and time to be determined-check website for updates)
• Location: Meet outside the Pony Pasture.
• Details: Come meet the ponies who once roamed as a wild herd and learn about their living history on Ocracoke Island.

Ocracoke Lighthouse

• The base of the Ocracoke Lighthouse is open for viewing daily from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Ocracoke Island Discovery Center

• The Ocracoke Island Discovery Center is open daily from 1:30-4:30 p.m.