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Tropical Storm Maria Reentry - Cape Hatteras Motel

Reentry From T.S. Maria Announced For Hatteras Island

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Unrestricted Access to Hatteras Island Begins at 1:00 p.m. Today [9/28/17].

On Thursday afternoon, visitors may return to all Hatteras Island villages including Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras Village.

There are still pockets of sand and water remaining along Highway 12 and on some side roads. It will be necessary for NCDOT to maintain traffic control points along portions of Highway 12 to enable crews to continue working to clear roads. This will limit traffic to one lane in some areas. Expect delays and proceed with extreme caution.

All travelers must realize that the water on roadways contains salt and may cause damage to vehicles. A state of emergency remains in effect and includes motor vehicle speed restrictions on flooded roads.

Dangerous surf and rip currents will remain in the area through the weekend. Stay out of the ocean – conditions are unsafe for even the most experienced swimmers. For updated forecasts from the National Weather Service, visit www.weather.gov/mhx.

Click here to view the latest briefing from National Weather Service

AARP Hatteras Island Best Beach - Cape Hatteras Motel

AARP Picks Hatteras Island #1 Best Beach

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AARP … WE all know just how special Hatteras Island is … Cape Hatteras Motel, our loyal patrons and our legions of social media fans, that is. Most of us also know when you see a cap that says,”HI” … that could mean “hello” … but it really means “Hatteras Island”. We have all sorts of special insider love for this place and we “get it”.

 

Still, it’s SO FLATTERING to receive national recognition!

 

See what AARP has to say and see why Hatteras Island is NUMBER ONE, BAY BEE!

 

AARP Hatteras Island Best Beach - Cape Hatteras Motel

Croatoan Archeological Society - Cape Hatteras Motel

Digging History on Hatteras Island

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Join our home-grown Hatteras Island family and volunteer historians with the Croatoan Archaeological Society, finding international fame for the OBX with what they’re digging up.

Lost Colony found?

See for yourself the new artifacts on display at the Hatteras Village Library!

Video produced by Aaron Tuell with the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.

Cape Hatteras Motel is a proud sponsor of the Croatoan Archeological Society and enjoys supporting the team and their work on Hatteras Island.

Josh Gates Scott Dawson Roanoke - Cape Hatteras Motel

The Lost Colony of Roanoke – Expedition Unknown – TravelChannel.com

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Josh Gates joins leading archeologists, including author and historian Scott Dawson [son of Cape Hatteras Motel owner, Dave Dawson], as they investigate America’s first ‘missing persons’ case, The Lost Colony of Roanoke.

Following newly unearthed artifacts and clues, they dig for answers to this 400-year old mystery, including a jet ski ride to Scott’s Croatoan sites on Hatteras Island.

Click here for “Tour Roanoke” episode trailer.

Click here for full TV schedule air times and short clips from this episode.

fishy - Cape Hatteras Motel

“Something’s Fishy” on Hatteras Island

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In our office we have a sign that says “Fishing … if it was easy they’d call it catching!”

The waters around Cape Hatteras have long been known for their bounty when it comes to fish. Some of the earliest writings about Hatteras Island make note of the “plentiful species” that abounded. Throughout the years, fishing has served as a livelihood for our watermen, and in recent history, sport fishing has become one of the big draws to the area. Fishing, more than beach going, has been the biggest reason the island has become more of a year-round destination. But no matter what time of year you come, there is always some kind of fishing going on. If you don’t see yourself as a fisherman (or lady) you might want to think again. Fishing is relaxing and challenging. It’s a great way to concentrate on something other than the weight of the world. Looking out over the ocean can be extremely calming. You meet a lot of like-minded people. And you have great fish stories to tell.

In the summer, charter boats do a big business. From Oregon Inlet to Hatteras to Ocracoke, boats and their captains head both inshore and off shore (to the Gulf Stream) on every good weather day. Parties of 4 to 6 anglers can spend a full day or a half day and it’s great to fun to watch the boats come in late in the afternoon and unload their catches. It does take a bit of savings to go out on a charter, but if you can afford it, it can be a great “bucket list” experience.

However, it doesn’t have to take a bucket load of money to fish.

The Avon Pier provides a great opportunity to try your hand at fishing and they can rent you everything you need. With Pier fishing your license is provided. Just recently a dolphin (mahi mahi) was caught off the Avon Pier so you never really know what the current will push in shore. For youngsters, pier fishing is a great introduction to the sport.

And last, but certainly not least, is the kind of fishing we’re famous for – surf fishing. The Cape Hatteras Anglers’ Club Tournament held in November is the largest surf fishing tournament in the country which speaks to the popularity of casting from our beaches into the surf. During the summer months, catches are typically smaller but very diverse. The big fishing times are generally in the fall and spring. But during the summer months it can be quite busy as well. Tackle shops provide rods, reels, lines, bait, lures, licenses and of course, tons of advice. A four wheel drive is not necessary – you can fish right in front of the motel and we’ve had some nice catches recorded here.

Fishing can be a “community” event or it can be a very solitary pursuit. Many folks will tell you it’s addictive. And who knows, you might even catch a fish!

Rocking Chair Mystique - Cape Hatteras Motel

Hatteras Island Rocking Chair Mystique

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We are fortunate to be known for many things at our motel including great views and helpful, friendly service. But perhaps more than anything, our guests know us, and love us, for our rocking chairs.

Southern airports have long been known for their rockers (think Charlotte, NC) where weary travelers can rest for a moment between connections either looking ahead to a new adventure or reminiscing of the one just past.

For the Cape Hatteras Motel, rocking chairs represent the essence of an Outer Banks stay. A vacation’s worth of memories located in a piece of wooden furniture. Throughout the summer we notice our rockers being used for all sorts of memory-making:

1- First on the list would be beverages consumed in the rockers – steaming fresh coffee in the mornings as the sun rises, iced tea during a break on a hot afternoon, and of course the adult beverage of choice as the day winds down.

2- Rockers are also a great spot to catch up on reading – newspapers, best sellers, light summer fare, or brochures on interesting yet-to-be-tried OBX activities.

3- Rockers make great places to catch a nap. This is especially true on a day when a bit of light rain falls onto the beach and the sounds of the wind and rain are positively spell-binding.

4- Little ones love to nestle onto parents and grandparents laps for naps, or for important discussions that only young children can have about what they are seeing and learning at the beach.

5- Rockers make a safe place to watch off-shore thunderstorms when the thunder rolls along the sea and the lightening becomes the best fireworks show around.

6- But perhaps the most important function of the rocking chair is to rock cares away. When a visitor can leave the world behind and dream new dreams, find peace of mind, or just do absolutely nothing at all then we have achieved our goal of providing the perfect space for the perfect vacation.

Hatteras Beach Dads - Cape Hatteras Motel

Hatteras Beach Dads

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Beach Dads are everyone’s super heroes. With Fathers’ Day weekend coming up this the perfect time to honor the guys who make our vacations extra special.

Beach Dads are the men who love to wear funky clothes on vacation; shirts and shorts that suddenly emerge from the darkest corners of the closets where they reside during the rest of the year. And they like to wear hats — lots of cool and interesting hats not seen at any other times or places. Footwear is a whole different topic, but yes, we love our Dads with socks and sandals too!

Beach Dads know how to make sand castles, fly kites, put bait on hooks, and find ghost crabs with flashlights. They are expert car-packers and know all the crazy songs to sing coming down Highway 12. Whether your memories are of Dad looking at a map to find the best route here from faraway places, or your Dad uses a GPS today (which usually can’t find us!), Dads tend to be the drivers for most of the journey. They know exactly which restaurants have the best lunches and snacks, they remember all the gas stations where they always stop, and sometimes they miraculously drive all night so that when you open your eyes, you’re almost here!

When you first ventured into the water, Beach Dad held onto you for dear life as you learned to play in, and respect, the ocean.  Beach Dad taught you about tides, and how to find the Big Dipper in the beautiful, dark Hatteras sky. Beach Dads with four-wheel drives locate the perfect spot to spend the day on the beach.  Beach Dads can grill the best burgers, catch the biggest fish, and tell the best stories.

Beach Dad mellows out by the end of the vacation, and it’s so good to see Beach Dad and Beach Mom really relax.  Dads who work hard all year deserve a break, and an OBX vacation often is the perfect place for that wonderful vacation. But just like Beach Moms, whether you have a Beach Dad, a Mountain Dad, a Lake Dad, a City Dad or a Dad who is now just a precious memory – be sure to pause on Fathers’ Day and say “thank you’ – in person or in your heart.

Happy Fathers’ Day from all of us at Cape Hatteras Motel!

Hatteras Island Rain - Cape Hatteras Motel

When It Rains It Pours On Hatteras Island

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Water, water everywhere – and we’re not just talking about the ocean and sound! That’s how it is on an island when heavy rains come along. It doesn’t have to be a tropical storm, hurricane or nor’easter to create flooding issues. Even a few days of persistent summer thunderstorms can create problems. It is a part of life on a sandbar, where you are situated a few inches above sea level if that. Generally water recedes in a day or two, and life is impacted little if at all. But during the rain, there are some tips on how to prevent any real problems from occurring and most of those tips revolve around, you guessed it – common sense (see last week’s Blog Post for more on that!)

Highway 12 on Hatteras Island from Pea Island South is notorious for flooding. Obey the posted speed limit but when conditions warrant, do drive more slowly. When roads flood, the two lanes really act as one lane in the middle and so it is the courteous, and sensible thing to do, to drive slowly and not create massive wakes and spray for oncoming drivers or nearby pedestrians. Don’t try to pass! The chances of hydroplaning and loss of control of your vehicle are greatly increased when you are going at an unsafe rate of speed for the conditions.

Know the difference between rain flooding and sound or ocean tide. Rain is almost all fresh water, although there can be some salt from the air mixed in. Sound and ocean over-wash are definitely salt water and can do serious damage to your vehicle. If you must travel into over-wash, drive very, very slowly, and be sure to wash your vehicle as soon as possible after your trip. If you are in a very small car (one that is very low to the ground) you may want to think about waiting a while before you venture through the deeper flooding if possible.

There are a number of social media sites that monitor conditions on Highway 12, including NCDOT12 on Facebook. It’s not a bad idea to check their posts if you think you might be driving into some flooding. You can also help them by posting any difficult or unusual situations you may encounter. It is pretty rare these days for the Highway to close completely.

The great thing is that sand is porous and it will absorb the water.  For those of you from the northern parts of the country, it is not unlike driving in the ice and snow. Just take your time. We will be right here at journey’s end, and we want you here safely!

Rusty's Restaurant Hungry for Hatteras - Cape Hatteras Motel

Hungry For Hatteras?

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We have to smile when guests ask us if there are any good seafood restaurants on the island. After all, not only are we a sport fishing capital, but also the island’s history is all about the fish!  Commercial fishing was, and is, a way of life for many, many islanders and their families. The lives and stories of the watermen are a rich part of our culture here.

But back to the original question about where to go for seafood when on vacation. Here are some things we tell our guests to help them locate the restaurant that will serve the food they want at the right price point. Truly, on Hatteras Island, the restaurants all serve good seafood.  It’s what they do. So it really is a matter of what you are looking for. Is it a special occasion?  There are a few white table cloth restaurants with bars and wine lists that are perfect for a birthday, anniversary, proposal, or any other special event.

Are you interested in a sunset?  While we do not have oceanfront dining on the island, soundside choices are plentiful and every sunset is beautiful in its own way. Are you traveling with small children? Several restaurants have kid-friendly menus and early dining allows families to get in and out quickly before the later crowds settle in.  Do you want to eat where the locals eat? Some of our year-round establishments are favorites with those of us who do enjoy eating out on the off-season. Do you yearn for fried fish, French fries, hush puppies and slaw? There are places that cater to real down home southern cooking without frills.

Some places are experimenting a bit more with their menus and offer seafood with global twists and fusion cuisines.  Always ask for the fresh, local catch. Shrimp and scallops are usually plentiful and softshell crabs in season are awesome. Oysters from our waters are usually harvested in the cooler months but can be enjoyed at other times of the year and they are wonderful. From light and flaky flounder to more hearty blue fish or meaty tuna, there all sorts of fish to try. Be bold and taste something you haven’t tried before. Fresh fish are amazingly flavorful and healthy and with all the preparations that local chefs utilize, you can enjoy something different all the time.

And of course we do realize that many people do not enjoy seafood or have allergies, so rest assured there are plenty of meat choices, increasing vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options, to-die-for pizza places, and many, many restaurants serve homemade desserts.

One thing is for certain, you will not go hungry here on Hatteras Island. Bon apetit!

 

Photo from Rusty’s Surf & Turf

Locate Restaurants & Specials from Corolla to Hatteras on the Restaurant page of Outer Banks Events Calendar.

 

NC 12 Scenic Byway - Cape Hatteras Motel

Hwy NC 12 Designated National Scenic Byway

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Just this weekend, new signs appeared along Highway 12 indicating that our highway is now a National Scenic By-way. We are proud of this designation and hope that when you drive down the island from Oregon Inlet heading south, you will really enjoy the drive.  All too often, the scenery and the atmosphere of the island are lost in the rush to get to the motel. It was a smart person indeed who noted that the journey often is more important than the destination. In this case, we would argue the journey is equally as important, because the highway helps you put life on the island in context. There is more to see than just a ribbon of highway sandwiched between dunes and the Sound.

A National Scenic By-way is a highway that has been recognized by the US Department of Transportation for one or more of six “intrinsic qualities” – archeological, cultural, historical, natural, recreational or scenic. Happily, areas of Hatteras Island can boast all of those. As you pass through the Pea Island Wildlife Refuge, there is a chance to observe wildlife, especially birds, throughout the year. At the rest area, a quick walk over the dunes gives you a view of the wreck of the “Oriental” – its stack still can be seen just breaking through the surface of the water.  This year the Pea Island area is also the site of construction for the replacement bridge where Hurricane Irene broke through and created a new, temporary inlet a few years back.

While the construction zone may not be scenic, it is a reminder of the shifting nature of barrier islands and its vulnerability during all types of storms – hurricanes and nor’easters included. Coming into the Tri-Villages area of Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo you can often see the colorful kite sails of kiteboarders in the Pamlico Sound. Kiteboarding and wind surfing have become more and more popular and these three which filled with shops catering to these sports. The Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station is well worth a visit for learning more about  the history of the lifesaving stations (which were the forerunners of today’s Coast Guard) as well as an insight into life on the island years ago. Needless to say it was a far cry from what we enjoy today. You can get a real appreciation for how brave and hardy these individuals were and how traditions like “Old Christmas” took hold.

As you head from the Tri-Villages to Avon, it is interesting to reflect on how narrow the island is in sections. There are a number of parking turn-outs in this section of highway and a quick peek over the top of a dune can often give you miles of seashore to take in all on your own.  Avon of course was historically known as “Kinnakeet.” The actual harbor town is off the highway and worth a quick side trip when you have a moment. Coming into Buxton, again the sound can be filled with kiters and windsurfers, but this area now also boasts several family beach areas. Not so many years ago the soundside was the forgotten step- sister of the ocean and only fishermen enjoyed its waters.

As you drive along through Buxton past the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and head on through Frisco and Hatteras, you can get a bit more of a feel of the role watermen once played, and continue to play, in the culture and economy of Hatteras Island. There are museums and docks and harbors that all show and tell these important stories.  We’ve heard many people complain that the hour drive from Whalebone Junction to Buxton is “boring.” We say, enjoy the National Scenic By-way for what it offers, and that hour will flash by very quickly. Before you know it you will be here at the Cape Hatteras Motel, a bit wiser for your journey!