Thursday Morning Update: The search resumed this morning at daybreak for the missing swimmer in the Pamlico Sound. As of 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, the search is still ongoing.  A search is underway for a missing swimmer in the Pamlico Sound in between Avon and Buxton as of 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10. The […]

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When our friends’ young son catches a great big cobia and then opts to share it, I am filled with such joy! An island tradition is being passed on! Hunter Ferguson of Buxton went out of Hatteras Inlet this late May morning with his dad, Sam, and brother, Carter. They didn’t fish long as the […]

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The first loggerhead sea turtle nest of the 2020 season was found north of Ramp 44 in Buxton on Sunday morning, per a recent social media update from the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS.) The Outer Banks serves as seasonal breeding grounds for endangered sea turtles, and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore has had several […]

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Editor’s note: The Observer will publish a comprehensive list of what’s open and closed in a future post. As of 5 p.m. Friday, Phase 1 of North Carolina’s Stay at Home order became effective, which allows limited opening of businesses. Ocracoke Island is gearing up to receive visitors–May 11 for non-resident property owners and May […]

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The worldwide outbreak of the novel coronavirus has disrupted life as we knew it. #SpringBreak was quickly replaced by #StayAtHome after Governor Cooper ordered the people in the State of North Carolina to stay at home for thirty days until April 29 in response. This was done for the safety and well-being of all even […]

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In North Carolina, there are currently 3,908 cases of COVID-19 in 91 counties. There have been 74 fatalities in NC associated with COVID-19. Currently, the state is reporting 423 hospitalizations across the state from COVID-19 illness. To date, Dare County has reported 13 positive test results for COVID-19. Of the 13 individuals who have tested […]

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The Dare County Division of Public Health has received confirmation of three positive cases of COVID-19 linked to residents and staff at Peak Resources, a nursing and rehabilitation facility in Nags Head, NC. Of the three who tested positive, two individuals are Dare County residents and one resides in another county. The additional testing that […]

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The Dare County Control Group met Monday morning, March 23 to receive an update regarding COVID-19 and discuss issues related to the health and safety of our community. Currently, all critical services including law enforcement, Emergency Medical Services, and healthcare, including the Outer Banks Hospital are operational and able to meet the needs of our […]

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There are a few treasures that will make a beachcombing shell collector fall to their knees and rejoice, and one type that is known to make rare appearances on the shores of the Outer Banks is the gorgeous helmet shell. These exotic looking shells are like trophy finds for dedicated collectors, and finding a complete […]

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The Henry P. Simmons was one in a trash heap of ships engulfed in the unholy terror of a great Outer Banks Atlantic rage, known afterwards simply as “The October 23, 1889 Storm.” It would involve nearly a dozen ships, two states, multiple Life-Saving Stations, and would endure for nearly a week. Some pf these […]

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If it feels like the construction of new bridges along Hatteras Island have been in the headlines for years, it’s because they have been. March 8 marked the four-year anniversary of the new Bonner Bridge groundbreaking, and years later, work continues on finalizing little “punch list” items on the now-completed structure. Meanwhile, the Jug Handle […]

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The Dare County Department of Health & Human Services wants to remind the public to stay prepared and informed regarding the Coronavirus. “At this time, the risk to the general public in North Carolina is low, and there are no individuals with Coronavirus in Dare County,” commented Dr. Sheila Davies, Dare County Health & Human […]

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As estimated 500 locals and visitors headed to the edge of Oden’s Dock in Hatteras village on Saturday afternoon to take part in a shell-ebration that has been going strong for seven years. The North Carolina Coastal Federation’s annual Hatteras Island Oyster Roast has become one of the most highly anticipated events of the traditionally […]

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Due to the relatively new and welcome addition of oyster farms in our estuarine system, this cherished bivalve is available year round, even when there is no “R” in a month. But “the season” continues to be heralded with excitement and celebration. It represents a time for communities to bundle up and gather in our […]

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It takes about a half-hour by boat from Ocracoke’s Silver Lake harbor to the loading dock at Portsmouth village. A group of birders took the ride in the early morning of the last day of 2019 to participate in that island’s annual Christmas Bird Count. This census started in 1988 and attracts between 15 to […]

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The schooner Robert H. Stevenson has almost been lost to the historic records. She was only three years old when she disappeared forever on the infamous Diamond Shoals. Very little makes sense about the wreck and ensuing non-rescue, and there remains a hugely significant amount of a mystery surrounding the whole affair. The Services From […]

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  “Who’d a thunk it?” A fresh shrimp recipe in January? There have been BIG “shrimp boat cities” in the ocean this winter and they are bringing in impressive catches.  Fresh shrimp is in the fish houses now at a great price! Nobody remembers anything like it.  It is the talk of the docks! So, […]

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More than 40 cold-stunned sea turtles were found and transported to the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (NEST) Rehabilitation Center on Friday morning after Pamlico Sound temperatures throughout Hatteras Island significantly dropped overnight. The coordinated effort by local and northern Outer Banks volunteers is a regular endeavor during the winter months, when the occasional freeze […]

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This is a story about a huge disaster that could have easily been averted. It is a story with negatives and positives. It is a story of a captain’s confusions, the terror of panic, and the avoidable loss of thirty human lives. Unhappily, it was on Christmas Eve. Ironically, it took place in a year […]

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March 29, 1945 – December 4, 2019 Robert Bartholomew Watson, better known as Bob, passed away peacefully among family Wednesday, December 4, 2019, at Currituck Health and Rehab Center in Barco after a short battle with cancer. He was 74. He joins his mother and father, Henrietta and Joe Watson, in peaceful rest. Bob is […]

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2019 was a tough year for many islanders. Hurricane Dorian dominated the headlines in the fall, closing Ocracoke Island for nearly three months, and flooding and ocean overwash seemed to accompany every storm throughout the year, leading to multiple road closures and revived conversations about how to protect N.C. Highway 12. But it you look […]

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Marcy Brenner’s piano had seen a lot in 111 years, but never anything like the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian on Ocracoke. The storm surge that Dorian drove into Ocracoke was like none that had been seen before. Wind, waves and storm combined to create an 8- to 9-foot mini-tsunami that pushed flood waters into the […]

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If you have had enough of storms and flooding, there are some upcoming events over the holidays which will brighten your mood, give you that “tis the Season vibe, and perhaps even help you cross some names off your holiday shopping list. Hatteras Island offers something for everyone– from Pet Blessings to Native American cooking […]

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The North Carolina General Assembly returned to Raleigh on Wednesday to work on another court-ordered alteration to the state’s Congressional maps, but there could also be action coming on a hurricane relief package. Last month, the state House and Senate approved dueling bills to help fund repairs and cover damage caused by storms in North […]

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A great many folks, past and present, celebrate year’s end around the holidays with the feasts of Thanksgiving and the joy of giving at Christmas. Then, it is topped off with the late-night parties of New Year’s Eve. The crew of the schooner Ario Pardee certainly must have anticipated this joyous time when they set […]

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From Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum One never knows what will be uncovered on the Outer Banks beaches. This month, it was a wreck on the beach directly across from the Wreck Tiki Bar and Food in Hatteras Village. Charlie Hornfeck from the restaurant, named after his passion for wrecks, came across the fascinating wreckage […]

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It should be no surprise to science lovers on the Outer Banks that an ambitious and potentially breakthrough coastal project that kicked off this month is centered here at the Army Corps of Engineers’ Field Research Facility, long a hive of scientific innovation and invention. The site, informally known as Duck Pier and officially as […]

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We have certainly seen the negative effects of Hurricane Dorian on the Outer Banks, and it was only three years ago that Hurricane Mathew devastated Hatteras Island in October.  The Atlantic Ocean has seen a boost in activity due to the end of a routine climate pattern known as “El Nino,” and NOAA stated early […]

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The Really, Really Free Market opened at the Frisco Volunteer Fire Station, while the Ocracoke Observer reported that mail has returned to the island after a six-day interruption in service. Avon and northern Buxton opened up to visitors as of noon on Wednesday, but there is not yet a timeframe on when visitors can return […]

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Power returned to Ocracoke Island on Monday night, and as of Tuesday afternoon, Ocracoke is now operating on transmission power, and the diesel peaking generator has been shut off. However, close to 400 houses had their electrical meters pulled by inspectors due to damage. These houses will not have power restored until an electrician and […]

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The Storm and its effects Hurricane Dorian has left its mark on many areas of our parks and caused hardships for our communities and staff. Park staff put in an amazing effort to prepare the parks consistent with severe weather plans and made extra efforts to protect vehicles, equipment, buildings, historic structures, and natural and […]

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Unrestricted access to the Tri-villages begins at noon today, while unrestricted access to Avon and North Buxton will begin at noon tomorrow. Cape Hatteras Secondary School is closed on Tuesday, while the First National Bank, health center, and post office remain closed on Ocracoke Island. The annual firefighter and first responder Cape Hatteras Lighthouse climb […]

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Emergency service was expanded to Ocracoke Island per a Monday update from the North Carolina Departments of Transportation, while school was canceled for Hatteras Island residents on Tuesday, and assistance continued to pile in for island residents. Additional updates for Hatteras and Ocracoke islands as of 7:00 p.m. on Monday include the following: Ocracoke Island […]

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Unrestricted access to the villages of Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo on Hatteras Island will begin at noon, Tuesday, September 10. Visitors are asked to check with their rental company or accommodations provider to confirm reservations before traveling to the area. As of Sunday evening, September 8, Priority Three reentry remains in effect for areas south […]

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Hatters Island opened to non-resident property owners and employees of non-critical businesses on Sunday, as Hyde County reported that mandatory evacuation orders continue, and boats and planes attempting to reach the island will be turned away. Additional updates for Hatteras and Ocracoke islands as of 3:30 p.m. on Sunday include the following: Ocracoke Island: Ocracoke […]

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Recovery efforts and evacuations continued on Ocracoke Island Saturday afternoon and evening, while Hatteras Island saw progress which included major power restorations, and the immediate opening of the island for residents and essential business personnel on Saturday night. Updates for Hatteras and Ocracoke islands as of 10:00 p.m. on Saturday include the following: Ocracoke Island: […]

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The Dare County Control Group met Saturday evening for an update on recovery efforts including restoration of power and road conditions. The following reentry guidelines have been established, effective immediately: For areas north of Oregon Inlet, Priority Three reentry becomes effective immediately. Priority Three includes non-resident property owners and employees of non-critical businesses. Non-resident property […]

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Hurricane Dorian brought catastrophic and record-breaking flooding to Hatteras and Ocracoke islands on Friday morning as the fast-moving storm caused storm surge of approximately 7 feet in Ocracoke and roughly 6 feet on southern Hatteras Island within a timeframe of two hours. Water levels peaked Friday morning and have been steadily but slowly receding since […]

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Video of Hatteras village at roughly 9:30 a.m. from IFP Publisher Donna Barnett. Hurricane Dorian made landfall over Cape Hatteras at 8:35 a.m. as a Category 1 storm, and record storm surge has been reported as the storm continues to move northwest of Hatteras and Ocraoke islands. The National Weather Service has issued a Flash […]

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The Hurricane and Storm Surge Watches have been upgraded to Hurricane and Storm Surge Warnings for the Outer Banks, per the 11 a.m. Wednesday update from the National Weather Service. A Hurricane Warning means hurricane-force winds are expected somewhere within the area within the next 36 hours.  A Storm Surge Warning means there is a […]

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Once again, I am writing about our Commercial Fishermen here in Carteret County and the whole coastal area of North Carolina. This week there is to be a vote by the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission for a proposed Amendment 2 of the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The proposed Amendment 2 recommends a 62% […]

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Some Ocracoke charter fishermen have ramped up their gamesmanship with a new and exciting level of fishing. They’ve begun going after swordfish out in the Gulf Stream, and some of the fish caught this year have exceeded 400 pounds. “It started last year, but they really started hitting this year,” said Bill Gilbert, owner of […]

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This summer, coastal newspapers all around the country boasted headlines of record-breaking sea turtle nests along their local beaches. These headlines were especially prevalent in communities along the shorelines of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, which includes are our own home turf of the Outer Banks. As of the first week of August, […]

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Growing up in North Carolina, my family often spent summer vacations on one of our state’s beautiful sandy beaches, our favorite being the tiny island of Sunset Beach.  On most of the small-town Carolina beaches, time stops.  Things that mattered before your vacation don’t anymore, and you instantly find yourself at peace surrounded by the […]

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Throughout the centuries, people have collected treasures off the coastal shores that the ocean leaves behind with the ever-changing tides. Storm surge and shoaling are some of the ways these treasures have found their way from the vast depths of the sea to our sandy shorelines. The earliest Native American inhabitants of Hatteras Island also […]

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The ongoing passenger-ferry saga has had its share of twists and turns. In March when the nearly completed Ocracoke Express failed inspections, few islanders expected service this summer. Thanks to some quick action by the General Assembly, the governor’s office, N.C. Department of Transportation and its Ferry Division, a leased boat was procured, and its […]

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(This article is republished from an August, 1999, special section of The Island Breeze on the move of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.) In 1870 when it was built, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was 1,500 feet from the ocean. By 1919, the ocean had advanced to within 325-350 feet of the tower and by 1935, it […]

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The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is accepting proposals for the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program for federal fiscal year 2020. BIG is a grant program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that reimburses up to 75 percent of costs for projects that construct, renovate or maintain tie-up facilities and related amenities for recreational […]

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After more than two weeks without rain, Hatteras and Ocracoke islands are at an increased risk for fires, and residents and visitors are urged to be vigilant as the heat wave and dry spell lingers on the Outer Banks. Per the National Weather Service (NWS) Newport / Morehead City Office, the last time that precipitation […]

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Providing ocean safety and rip current awareness information to visitors is a top priority at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore). The following trip planning tips will help Seashore visitors stay safe in the ocean. The Atlantic Ocean, located off the eastern side of the Seashore, produces a number of safety challenges for under prepared visitors […]

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