Getting to the beach

There are two "beaches".  The first is at the bottom of the stairs off your balcony.  The second is in the park but away from the villages.

You have access to the boardwalk from the rear deck, the deck facing the beach.

Take a look at the picture below.  The stairway leading from the center condo to the boardwalk is your condo.  You have your own staircase down to the boardwalk to the beach!

The Boardwalk to the beach

There is a boardwalk to the stairs leading over the dunes.  On the way back, you have a shower to wash off the sand.

THE TOP OF THE STAIRS

These shots are from the top of the stairs looking down at the beach and to the north and south.


But wait!  There's another way to the beach!

Between the villages on the island, and all of the Cape Hatteras area, are long stretches of beach.  These beaches, even in the busiest times, are often near empty and can walk for miles without see another person.  Visiting these park beaches is a treat.

The park service has installed many ramps that allow access to the beaches outside of the villages.  If you have a four wheel drive vehicle, know how to drive in sand and have obtained a park permit, you can drive on the sections that are open.  If you don't have four-wheel drive you can still drive to the ramp, park in the lots provided and walk over the ramp and onto the park beaches.

If you have mobility issues, a number of the park ramps have handicap access ramps, like this:

Looking north down the park beach:

Looking south down the park beach:



rip currents:  Every year people die in the ocean:  please check here!

Texts about beach conditions

If you want texts about the Outer Banks beach conditions here's how to get them: Text "Join OBXBeachConditions" to 30890.  Subscribers will also receive beach related weather alerts issued by the National Weather Service for Currituck, Dare, and Hyde Counties. Ocean rescue service providers may also share current/changing beach conditions.  Once you no longer need updates, simply text STOP to 30890.


Cape Hatteras National Seashore home page

Cape Hatteras National Seashore maps and access

IMPORTANT: Check status before you go! Click here

IMPORTANT: Off road vehicle FAQ! Click here

Please!  Check the off road vehicle FAQ.  Driving on sand isn't hard, but you need to know which areas are open.  You need to have a park permit.  You need to know where the tides may cut off your return.

During the summer, some access is limited due to wildlife issues.  A hotly debated topic, beach closures are a problem for visitors.  The park service trys to keep visitors up to date on what is open and what is closed, but that information is often outdated.  The locals can fill you in on how there is no evidence the closures provide any benefit outside of a "feels like we're doing something good".