When visiting the Outer Banks, most people come for the dining, golf, shopping and other fun activities. While all those activities can keep you busy your entire stay, you should make time to check out the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This section of land stretches 70 miles from South Nags Head to Ocracoke Inlet, covering more than 30,000 acres.
The first designated National Seashore in the country offers more to do at a fraction of the cost of other activities. Spending a week on the seashore would not be enough time to experience it in its entirety. There is no fee to enter the park which is open everyday except for Christmas Day. Strolling the white sand beaches bird watching and enjoying the scenery is complimentary.
There are fees for some activities such as a guided lighthouse tour, reserving a campground or docking your boat. The fees are nominal and this shouldn’t stop you from enjoying all activities that the park has to offer. Activities include camping, bird watching, lighthouse tours and more. If you plan in camping you should make plans to arrive at the camp site early, as most do not take reservations. They are on a first come first serve basis. Depending on which location you choose, camp fees range from $4 per person per night, or flat rates of up to $20 per night. More information about campgrounds and fees can be found here: http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm
One of the best ways to enjoy this National Seashore is by brining your own boat. This can give you the freedom to explore at your own pace and enjoy the activities on the water that interest you most. Dock service is available at Silver Lake on Ocracoke Island. Rates are as follows:
$1.25 per boat foot/day, cap at 80 feet or $80/day $3 per day - 110 volt electric service $5 per day - 220 volt electric service -Winter Rates (no electric service available): 60¢ per boat foot/day, cap at 80 feet or $40/day
Another favorite activity to enjoy is climbing the stairs of the Cape Hatteras Light House. The light house is rich in history and a great day activitiy. Fees are $3.50 for children under 12 and seniors 62 and older, $7 for adults, or $3.50 for those with a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Senior or Access pass.
No trip to the outer banks would be complete without a cruise along the beautiful barrier islands. Day cruises are great for spotting pods of dolphins along with many species of birds and other wildlife, while night cruises are great for star gazing and romance. There are several companies that offer cruises on a variety of vessels. From sailboats to head boats, the perfect cruise awaits. Some companies can be privately chartered which are great for weddings, family reunions or any other even that you may want to have on the sea.
The Dolphin watching tours start in June and lasts through October. These are by far the most popular cruises, so make sure you book with a charter company well ahead of time to ensure your spot. Walkups are welcome, but reservations are your safest bet.
Sunset cruises are great ways to enjoy the Outer Banks at night. These generally depart after 6PM and are back in the harbor by 8PM. During the evening cruises, you will learn some great history about the ships, residents and geography of the outer banks.
Beyond Cape Hatteras lies one of the most dangerous sections of the Atlantic Coast. Many currents converge in this area that can drive ships into a dangerous 12 mile long sandbar. Because of this dangerous stretch and the countless shipwrecks in the area, it has been named the “Graveyard of the Atlantic”.
In October of 1803 construction of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was completed. Congress felt it was necessary to build this warning tower to protect ships moving through this dangerous section of the sea. The original tower was 90 feet tall and the light used Whale oil to stay lit. Later it was found that this light tower was unable to effectively warn ships of the dangers of the sea. It was too short and the sandstone it was made of lacked sufficient coloring to be most visible by ships.
It wasn’t until 50 years later in 1853 that additions were made to the lighthouse. The Lighthouse Board decided to add 60 extra feet to a new height of 150 feet. The top half of the tower was painted red and the lower half white to make it more visible to passing ships. At this time, a new lens was used to better refract the light to make a much stronger beam.
By 1870, the original lighthouse was in need of serious repair. It was decided that instead of retrofitting the old structure, a new lighthouse was to be constructed. The new lighthouse was lit on December 1, 1870 and the old lighthouse was demolished in 1871.
Due to Beach erosion, the beacon was moved to a different location and a skeletal steel tower was used. The beacon resided here from 1934-1950 until it was moved back to the tower that was built in 1870. Beach erosion had subsided due to much construction and rebuilding efforts.
In 1999 the lighthouse was moved to its present location. It was moved 2,900 feet and now sits 1,500 feet from the shoreline.
The tower is managed by the National Park Service.
The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is a great place to explore when visiting the Outer Banks. Tours are available for a small fee. Adult tickets are $7 and children and seniors are $3.50. For more information about the lighthouse please visit http://www.nps.gov/caha/historyculture/lightstationfaqs.htm.
Every year we dedicate a special day to our moms. The second Sunday of May in the United States is dedicated to honor Mom for all she has done for us. Many people will send flowers, cook dinner and give mom a plethora of other gifts to show how special she really is.
This year, Élan vacations is offering an exclusive deal to make this Mother’s Day very special, so put aside the flowers and chocolates. How about surprising mom with an affordable Outer Banks vacation? Élan Vacations is making this surprise a possibility by offering their featured homes at a 10% discount if booked by May 10th. For a list of featured Outer Banks vacation homes, please visit the Élan Vacations site. You can also combine this offer with an affordable payment plan that has been arranged to help guests take a well deserved trip.
Booking a vacation to the Outer Banks will be something that your mom will remember for the rest of her life. This area offers something for everyone. From fishing to golf, or just reading a good book on the beach, all will have a great time. Celebrating Mothers Day with gifts is great, but providing special memories by taking a vacation as a family can be even better.
