National Seashore updates for the week of June 2
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) announced several recent updates and news items related to recreational activities and seashore conditions on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.
News items and events related to the National Seashore for the week of June 2 include the following:
Seashore Updates
- Following the Leave No Trace Principles, summarized below, Seashore visitors can help protect park resources and other visitors.
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Pack it in, pack it out. Pack out all trash, leftover food, etc.
- Utilize toilet facilities whenever possible.
- Leave What You Find
- Preserve the past: examine, photograph, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches. Leaving large holes in the beach can potentially cause harm to humans, wildlife and vehicles, so leave only footprints on the beach.
- Respect Wildlife
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, a beach apparatus drill, also known as the breeches buoy drill, is performed every Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station in Rodanthe.
- As of this afternoon, staff are protecting over 55 shorebird chicks along the Seashore. Many more nests are expected to hatch in the coming days and weeks. View nesting totals at go.nps.gov/fieldsummary.
- Before you visit the beach, go to www.weather.gov/beach/mhx to view the daily rip current risk level and beach conditions forecast. Visitors can sign up to receive Outer Banks beach safety text messages by texting “OBXBeachConditions” to 77295.
Special Events
Volunteer Beach Cleanups
- Date: Saturday, June 12 from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Location: Coquina Beach Access and Old Lighthouse Beach Access
- Details: Help Seashore staff clean the beach at two separate locations. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All volunteers are encouraged to bring leather gloves, water, snacks and sunscreen.
- Concurrent with the Seashore beach cleanups, the North Carolina Beach Buggy Association (NCBBA) will be stationed at off-road vehicle ramps where visitors can obtain trash bags for collecting litter. Participants in the NCBBA event are asked to deposit trash bags at ramp entrances for collection when leaving the beach. For more information, Tom Brueckner at tom.brueckner@ncbba.org
Upcoming Events
Bodie Island Lighthouse Climbing
- Dates: Monday-Sunday (Daily) through Oct. 11. First climb at 9 a.m. and final climb at 5:30 p.m.
- Details: Climbing tickets can only be purchased on the day of intended climb. Tickets go on sale daily at 7 a.m. Purchase tickets at www.recreation.gov/ticket/252034/ticket/10087143.
Bodie Island Educational Programs/Activities (May 29-Sept. 6, 2021)
The Bodie Island Lighthouse – Lighting the way for almost 150 years
- Dates: Daily from 11-11:30 a.m.
- Location: Meet on the back patio of the Double Keepers’ Quarters
- Description: A park ranger will discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel.
Shaping these Barrier Islands
- Dates: Daily from 2-2:30 p.m.
- Location: Meet on back patio of the Double Keepers’ Quarters
- Description: 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 this islands.
Hatteras Island Educational Programs/Activities (May 29-Sept. 6, 2021)
The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse – Lighting the way for over 150 years
- Dates: Daily from 10-10:30 a.m.
- Location: Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
- Description: A park ranger will discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel and provide information about current restoration efforts.
Shaping these Barrier Islands
- Dates: Daily from 2-2:30 p.m.
- Location: Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
- Description: 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.
Especially for Kids
- Dates: Every Monday-Friday from 11-11:30 a.m.
- Location: Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
- Description: Learn about seashore animals through hands-on games and activities for kids and families.
Surf Fish with a Ranger
- Dates: Every Tuesday from 8:30-10 a.m.
- Location: Frisco, N.C.
- Description: Ever wanted to try your hand at surf fishing? We bring the poles, you bring the bait. Registration is required. Visit the Hatteras Island Visitor Center to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.
For Kids: Soundside Explorers
- Dates: Every Tuesday from 2:30-4 p.m.
- Location: Salvo, N.C.
- Description: Join a ranger for this activity-based exploration of the Pamlico Sound. Registration is required. Visit the Hatteras Island Visitor Center to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.
Castnetting
- Dates: Every Wednesday from 9:30-11 a.m.
- Location: Buxton, N.C.
- Description: Come try your hand at this early method of fishing still being used today. Registration is required. Visit the Hatteras Island Visitor Center to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.
Old Days at the Weather Station
- Dates: Every Wednesday from 2:30-3:30 p.m.
- Location: U.S. Weather Bureau Station in Hatteras, N.C.
- Description: Come explore the historic U.S. Weather Bureau Station and hear amazing stories that intertwine with our own lives and major historic events.
Morning Bird Walk
- Dates: Every Thursday from 8-9:30 a.m.
- Location: Fishing cleaning tables near off-road vehicle ramp 44
- Description: Meet winged residents and those traveling the Atlantic Flyway. Binoculars are available.
Dark Skies Over Hatteras
- Dates: Every Thursday from 9-10 p.m.
- Location: Meet at off-road vehicle ramp 43
- Description: Bring blankets and chairs for this evening of stars and stories on the beach.
Buxton Woods Nature Walk
- Dates: Every Friday from 8-9:30 a.m.
- Location: Meet at the picnic area across from Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
- Description: Join a ranger for a 3/4 mile guided walk through the Buxton Woods and explore a diverse maritime forest ecosystem.
Ocracoke Island Educational Programs/Activities (May 29-Sept. 6, 2021)
Ocracoke Island Lighthouse – Lighting the way for almost 200 years
- Dates: Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Location: Ocracoke Lighthouse
- Description: Visit the lighthouse and discuss the details and history of this beautiful beacon. The base of the lighthouse will be staffed and open on dates and times listed above from June 2 through August 13. Additional opportunities to view the base of the lighthouse may be possible in the coming weeks. The boardwalk and grounds are always open for visitors to walk up to the lighthouse.
Stories of Ocracoke Island
- Dates: Monday-Friday from 11-11:30 a.m.
- Location: Meet outside visitor center
- Description: Learn about the location and legacy of Ocracoke Island. From serving as an early port village and primary point of entry to North Carolina to Blackbeard’s final battle, Ocracoke Island possesses a unique heritage resulting from its continued remote setting.
Shaping these Barrier Islands
- Dates: Monday-Friday from 2-2:30 p.m.
- Location: Meet outside visitor center
- Description: 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.
Banker Ponies
- Dates: Every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10-10:45 a.m.
- Location: Pony Pen
- Description: Come meet the ponies who once roamed as a wild herd and learn about their living history on Ocracoke Island.
War Comes to Ocracoke
- Dates: Every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4-4:30 p.m.
- Location: Meet outside Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Learn about the role Ocracoke Island and the Outer Banks have played in shaping our country’s conflicts.
Explore the Shore
- Dates: Every Wednesday from 9-9:45 a.m.
- Location: Meet outside at the beach access parking area adjacent to the Ocracoke Campground
- Description: Take an easy beach walk with a ranger and learn about what calls the beach its home.
