10/18/2016
Traveling abroad is always an adventure, but rummaging around the US is pretty great as well. With so many different types of terrain coast-to-coast, there is a variety well known sites from Times Square to the Grand Canyon that are on most people’s bucket list, but there are also tons of little gems that are within a few hours drive that are perfect for just a week or even a weekend getaway that will keep your Instagram popping. Cape Hatteras National Seashore is one of those little gems. Tucked away on the East Coast of North Carolina, you (and your Instagram) won’t regret visiting this hidden treasure and we’ve got our top seven reasons to prove it!
REASON #1: ADVENTURING
Hatteras Island has something for everyone, especially the adventure lover! Become one with nature and get that adrenaline pumping! We’ve got fishing, we’ve got hiking, we’ve got all levels of watersports…basically, we’ve got it all!
FISHING
Fishing on Hatteras Island is world-class. Whether you are surf-fishing at the infamous Cape Point in Buxton or cruising out into the deep blue with one of the island’s great charter boat captains, you are sure to have a great time with plenty to show for it! Cape Point has brought folks to the Outer Banks for year’s with it’s unique proximity to both the Gulf Stream and Labrador Current. The contrast of warm, southern currents combined with a colder, northern current attracts big game species that can only be found in the Gulf Stream in addition to a variety of saltwater species. As fishermen and women line the beaches day and night, it forms an atmosphere of brotherhood and excitement as the rods pull and people gather round to see what’s reeled in.
Go one step further and charter a captain for a trip straight into the heartland of big fishing. Marlins, mahi, wahoo, oh my! Hatteras Landing has two full-service marinas, Teach’s Lair Marina and Hatteras Landing Marina, in Hatteras Village. Both offer a variety of trips, from shelling and bird-watching to full days in the Gulf Stream. Check out their seasonal fishing calendar to determine what to expect to reel in while you’re here and check out JAM’s resident fishing report to what others have been catching around the docks.
HIKING
The bustling village of Buxton also houses one of the largest spans of barrier island maritime forest that is still physically standing in the southeastern US. With over 3,000 acres of luxuriant vegetation, over 1,000 of them are dedicated to the NC Coastal Reserve & National Estuarine Research Reserve. Find nature at its finest as you explore the lush trails and contrasting views of the wide open beaches you would expect. Find yourself in a whole new kingdom of ridges and hills that expand from Buxton to Frisco, with trees and vines remniscient of Tarzan’s jungle. While you may not find any lions, tigers or…bears (we think), the animal life is incredibly rich due to the diversity of the landscape. Hosting saltwater and freshwater ponds, you’ll find a myriad of wildlife under the canopy that is Buxton Woods. Look for deer, red-tail foxes, raccoons, mink, squirrels and droves of countless birds. Animals of the reptilian nature are also very prominent in this area. In addition poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, you’ll find an array of turtles, green anoles, salamanders, frogs and more.
Just remember not to stray too far from the trails as you allow yourself to become enchanted by the life that surrounds you. Most trails aren’t well marked and spill out into random places rather than looping back, so do pay attention to your path (maybe drop some M&M’s every few feet to ensure you find your way back). Additionally, be certain that you don’t go into the woods unprepared. Bring plenty of water, bug spray, snacks, a flashlight, a friend and a fully charged phone (for Instagram, that handy compass app and the ability to call for help–just in case, because sprained ankles are real).
WATERSPORTS
The good thing about watersports on Hatteras Island is that there is something fun for every level of athlete…or in my case, non-athlete. Skill-level is of no consequence for those of us who have none. For instance, floating on a raft requires little to no skill, but can be highly addictive when you start catching waves with it. Don’t even try to tell me you’re not having a blast when said raft is a 9′ unicorn! Other fun watersports for those of us who struggle to walk up stairs without falling are stand-up paddleboarding, boogie boarding, skimboarding, canoeing and kayaking.
If you’re feeling even more adventurous, you can try your hand at jetskiing, windsurfing, kiteboarding and surfing. The unique shape of the island brings people from all over the world to “ride the wind”. Kiteboarding and windsurfing conditions have a cult-like following and surfers alike line Highway 12 to check the infamous surf breaks on a daily basis. Famous pro-surfers such as Kelly Slater, Corey Lopez, Brett Barley, Jesse Hines, Noah Snyder and more frequent the area and local legends are continuously chasing the barrel on the shores of the Graveyard of the Atlantic.
