Cape Hatteras National Seashore

A haven for recreation and reflection, the islands of Cape Hatteras National Seashore are constantly changing by tide, storm, current, and wind.

From the sea turtles nesting on sandy beaches to the deer seeking shelter in the maritime woods, the seashore provides a home and habitat for creatures large and small, on land and in the water - a rich variety of plant and animal life.

The islands that make up the seashore have been home to Native Americans, farmers, watermen, slaves, lighthouse keepers, surfmen, and many others who continue to shape the heritage of the area. The people have witnessed events that include hurricanes, the death of Blackbeard the pirate, Civil War battles, the construction of its now famous lighthouses, the birth of the USCG in the lifesaving stations, hundreds of shipwrecks, Billy Mitchell's test bombings, Reginald Fessenden's first radio broadcasts, the building of dunes by the CCC, scientific strides in weather forecasting, u-boat attacks, and much more.