Beach along the walk to Cape Point on Hatteras Island, Cape Hatteras National Seashore

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Bodie Island to Cape Point Atlantic Ocean Beaches

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Public parking is available for the Cape Hatteras National Seashore beach at Off Road Ramp #43, the last beach access for pedestrians that faces the open Atlantic. No Off Road permit is required to park. The walk to the beach area is approximately 100 yards. I used this parking area to start my hike to Cape Point, the very tip of Hatteras Island. I was told the beach would eventually be closed and I would have to walk in the water, but I didn’t really understand what this meant. At first I came to signs and a rope blocking off the upper area of the beach, but there was still plenty of room for me to walk on land between the water and the closed portion of the beach.

Upper portion of the beach near Cape Point on Hatteras Island can be closed due to nesting birds, Cape Hatteras National Seashore

But eventually I came to a rope that went all the way down to the water; that’s when I knew what the Ranger was talking about by having to walk out in the water. The total hike to the Point is about 1.5 miles, one way—I got to the halfway point. The waves were very big that day, and there was no possible way I could wade into the water for three quarters of a mile with camera equipment without getting swamped or knocked down into the surf. Thus, before attempting a hike to Cape Point from Ramp #43, ask a park Ranger at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center if the beach is open all the way. If not, you may have to approach from the western side of Cape Point, probably on a hike starting at the Cape Point Campground.

Beach at Cape Point on Hatteras Island can be closed to all traffic, foot and vehicle, Cape Hatteras National Seashore

On the way to Ramp #43 you will pass Ramp #44 and a parking lot. However, it is a very long walk to the beach from Ramp #44 and therefore not feasible as a beach access for those on foot.

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