Show Hatteras Island a Little Love This Fall

After a challenging fall of storm damage and road closures, Hatteras Island is welcoming visitors back. And now is a great time to make the trip.

It's been a tough fall for Hatteras Island. Two major nor'easters in September and October caused extensive damage to N.C. Highway 12, the only road connecting Hatteras Island to the northern Outer Banks. The resulting closures kept visitors away for extended periods. The disruptions affected just about every aspect of island life, including the fall tourism season that many local businesses depend on.

Photo: Chicamacomico Life Saving Station Historic Site is a favorite attraction in Rodanthe.

The challenges facing Highway 12 are nothing new. Three particularly vulnerable areas — the Canal Zone on Pea Island, Buxton and a stretch between Frisco and Hatteras — have long been a concern. The repeated closures raise important questions about the long-term future of the highway and the cost of continuing to repair it after each storm.

Island Free Press has taken a closer look at the issue in these two stories: The cost of doing nothing: How much will North Carolina spend repairing N.C. 12 before there's a long-term solution? and N.C. 12 closures on Pea Island, October edition: Why they keep happening, and what needs to happen right now

Fortunately, N.C. 12 is open again. Traffic is moving in both directions, although only one lane is open on part of Pea Island, so travelers should expect slower-than-normal conditions. You can check the live Pea Island Highway 12 camera before heading south.

While a permanent solution to the highway's vulnerabilities remains elusive, there are proposals on the table. You can read more about one consultant's recommendations, including temporary bridges and a new funding strategy, here.

For now, the road is open, and the drive is as beautiful as ever. At the northern end of Pea Island, that means traveling alongside the ocean with waves breaking within sight of the one-lane road.

Meanwhile, Hatteras Island businesses need our help. Fall is one of the loveliest times to visit the island, so why not make the trip? Spend a day, a night or a long weekend. Plan a holiday getaway. Enjoy the island, explore its villages and put a little money back into the local economy.

If you've been thinking about visiting Hatteras Island, now is a great time to go.

Sunrise on Hatteras Island is a magical time. Photo courtesy Outer Banks This Week Facebook

What Fall Looks Like on Hatteras Island

Seven Villages, One Laid-Back Island

Hatteras Island offers a wonderful combination of natural beauty and small-town coastal living. Its personality is a little different from that of the northern Outer Banks — more laid-back, a little simpler and decidedly slower-paced. It's a place where outdoor adventures and time spent enjoying the water are part of everyday life.

The island's seven villages — Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras Village — each have their own personality, along with shops, restaurants, attractions and places to explore.

Whether you're looking for a cozy cottage, an oceanfront rental or a place to stay for a longer getaway, you'll find plenty of options. Browse Hatteras Island places to stay and book your accommodations right here on Outer Banks This Week.

Pamlico Sound on Hatteras Island is one of the nation's best places to learn to kiteboard. Photo courtesy Kitty Hawk Kites

Fresh Air and Wide-Open Spaces

If you love being outdoors, Hatteras Island is hard to beat. Surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, standup paddleboarding, fishing, bird watching, scuba diving, kayaking and canoeing are just a few of the ways to enjoy the island's natural surroundings.

Fall brings pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds and plenty of opportunities to get outside. The beaches and soundside waters offer room to roam, while Cape Hatteras National Seashore provides miles of largely undeveloped coastline to explore.

Stretching across 72 miles of Bodie, Hatteras and Ocracoke islands, the national seashore protects one of the most remarkable natural landscapes on the East Coast. Whether you're walking the beach, watching wildlife, paddling the sound or simply enjoying the scenery, there's no shortage of ways to reconnect with nature.

Horseback riding on the Hatteras beaches is an unforgettable experience. Photo courtesy Kitty Hawk Kites 

Beaches Without the Crowds

One of Hatteras Island's biggest draws is its wide-open shoreline. Approximately 70 percent of the island's beaches remain undeveloped, meaning there are long stretches of sand without houses or commercial development behind the dunes. Even during busier seasons, it's possible to find a quiet spot to call your own.

Beach driving is another popular way to experience the shoreline. Off-road vehicle ramps are located along N.C. 12, providing access to designated areas of the beach. Keep in mind that the National Park Service manages these beaches, and some areas close seasonally to protect nesting birds and sea turtles.

A permit is required for beach driving and can be purchased at National Park Service offices at Bodie Island and the Hatteras Island Visitor Center in Buxton or online through Recreation.gov. Sand conditions can be challenging, so make sure your vehicle is properly equipped before heading out.

For current access information, visit Beach Driving on Hatteras Island.

Fall fishing is legendary on Hatteras Island. Photo courtesy Red Drum Tackle Shop

History, Nature and Island Attractions

There's more to Hatteras Island than beautiful beaches. Its history is woven into the landscape, from the Native Americans who first inhabited these islands to the fishing industry, shipwrecks and the courageous lifesavers who worked along this dangerous stretch of coastline.

The iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is a must-see, but unfortunately it’s not open for climbing because it’s being renovatied. It's far from the only place worth exploring, though. Visit historic sites like Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site, learn about the island's maritime heritage at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, learn about history at the Frisco Native American Museum and Lost Colony Museum, or spend time at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, where bird watching and wildlife viewing are among the area's biggest attractions.

Much of the island's appeal is simply its natural beauty. With miles of undeveloped shoreline, open water and wildlife, sometimes the best attraction is a long walk on the beach with nowhere in particular to be.

For more ideas, explore Hatteras Island attractions and things to do on Hatteras Island.

Fresh-rolled sushi made with local seafood is one of the specialties at Diamond Shoals Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar in Buxton. Photo courtesy Diamond Shoals Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar

Good Food

After a day outside, you'll find plenty of places to refuel. Hatteras Island restaurants range from upscale-but-casual dining rooms to laid-back seafood spots, burger joints and pizza places. Fresh local seafood is a staple, but you'll also find barbecue, Italian and Asian cuisine, bakeries and coffee shops. For breakfast and coffee, don’t miss Muffins and Scones in Avon. Some of our lunch favorites are Oceanas Bistro in Avon, La Fogata Mexican Restaurant in Avon and Lalo’s Tacos & Pizzeria in Avon. Some of our dinner favorites include The Froggy Dog Restaurant & Pub in Avon, Diamond Shoals Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar in Buxton, Rusty’s Surf & Turf in Buxton and Café Pamlico in Frisco. For a real treat, book an in-home seafood boil with Outer Banks Boil Company.

Discovering little shops like Blue Pelican Gallery and Gifts in Hatteras is a treat. Photo courtesy Blue Pelican

Local Finds

The shopping scene is another pleasant surprise. Boutiques, art galleries, surf shops, tackle shops, gift stores, markets and specialty shops are scattered throughout the seven villages. Whether you're looking for local art, beach gear, a unique souvenir or something good to eat, there's plenty to discover. Some hightlights: Buxton is home to Buxton Village Books, a charming independent bookstore, while Avon has the novelty Breeze Thru Avon, a drive-thru beverage store. Natural Art Surf Shop is a legendary surf shop and home of the iconic In the Eye Surfboards in Buxton. Check our Hatter shopping guide.

Rodanthe Watersports & Campground offers soundside campsites and recreation. Photo courtesy Rodanthe Watersports & Campground 

Make Hatteras Island Your Next Getaway

Whether you're looking for a cozy cottage, an oceanfront rental or a place to stay for a longer getaway, you'll find plenty of options. Browse Hatteras Island places to stay and book your accommodations right here on Outer Banks This Week.

The recent storms have been a reminder of just how vulnerable these barrier islands are — and how much their communities depend on a healthy local economy.

The long-term challenges facing N.C. 12 aren't going away, but neither is the beauty and appeal of Hatteras Island. The road is open, the beaches are waiting, and local businesses are ready to welcome visitors.

So, take the scenic drive south. Stay a little longer, eat at a locally owned restaurant, browse the shops and explore the villages. Better yet, consider spending the holidays on Hatteras Island.

A visit is a great way to enjoy one of the Outer Banks' most special places while showing some support for the people who call it home.