Hatteras is a small town with a relaxing atmosphere
Hatteras, often called Hatteras Village to avoid confusion with the larger Hatteras Island on which it’s located, is a small town with no shortage of attractions. Notably, Hatteras is home to the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, which offers educational exhibits on the Outer Banks’ history of seafaring and shipwrecks. It was also once the site of a Confederate fort during the Civil War that fell during the Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries. Today, however, the town is best represented by its motto: “laid back since way back.” Populated mostly by tourists in summer and roughly 600 permanent residents in winter, this remote Outer Banks village is known as a fishing destination with an easygoing vibe. Carla Reynolds is the broker-in-charge at NC 12 Realty and a longtime Buxton resident, but she says that her favorite place on the island is Hatteras. “It’s got a different feel,” says Reynolds. “It’s got a small year-round population, and it’s got a couple of the best restaurants and a lot of offshore fishing. You can take your golf cart to your favorite restaurant or the grocery store and feel like you’re on vacation, even if you live on the island.”
Vacation rentals and permanent residences
Homes in Hatteras line the coast and the Sound. In typical beach town fashion, it’s common to see multi-story homes in bright pastel hues with rambling wraparound balconies. Others have rustic shingle siding and other desirable waterfront features, such as space to park or dock a boat. No matter the style, most houses sit atop wooden pilings, a feature that helps protect these homes from water damage during flooding. Hurricanes, tropical storms and nor’easters can affect properties along the coast, as most houses in Hatteras are in a flood zone. In addition to high winds and heat, home maintenance costs may be higher, as the salty sea air can cause metal to rust faster. Those prepared to take on the challenges of coastal living can find a one-bedroom cabana or a condo for $200,000 to $400,000, a rare price range for the Outer Banks. However, single-family homes with more space start at $400,000 and can climb to $2 million for beachfront views. “Since Hatteras has Soundfront, oceanfront and canals, it’s definitely more populated by tourists, but some people do live there year-round,” Reynolds says.
Kids attend school in nearby Buxton
Dare County Schools serve students in Hatteras, with campuses located roughly 10 miles east in Buxton, about a 20-minute drive. Cape Hatteras Elementary scores a B-minus, while Cape Hatteras Secondary School receives a B grade and houses grades six through 12. The secondary school is known for its coastal studies program, which partners with the Coastal Studies Institute to bring the island’s marine ecosystem into the classroom. Both schools are small, with less than 400 students each.
The OBX capital of offshore fishing
On the ocean side of the island, miles-long stretches of beach comprise the Cape Hatteras National Shoreline. The currents here are some of the strongest on the East Coast and make for plentiful fishing, whether from the surf or out on the sea. In fact, Hatteras is commonly labeled the offshore fishing capital of the Outer Banks. “It’s one of the closest spots to get out to the Gulf Stream, so it has several marinas and charter boats that you can take out,” says Wendi Munden, a Realtor with NC 12 Realty and a Hatteras Island resident. On the Pamlico Sound side of the island, the waters are calmer, making it suitable for windsurfing and kayaking. For outdoor activities on land, Hatteras Village Park provides a shady place for a short walk through the marshland. Playgrounds and sporting facilities are located at Fessenden Center in Buxton, roughly 10 miles east, or a 15-minute drive.
Dinner with a marina view
Amenities are sparse in Hatteras, but residents choose this village for its remote feel. There’s also just enough to get by without leaving town, with a local library branch, a pharmacy and a couple of small grocery stores, such as Village Red & White Market. The nearest chain grocer and doctor’s office are located in Avon, about 20 miles away, or half an hour’s drive. For other shopping needs, residents have to head further north to Nags Head or Kitty Hawk, where they’ll find some big-box stores and the Outer Banks’ only hospital. For such a small town, however, Hatteras has a surprising amount of dining options. Hatteras Sol Waterside Grill sits right on the Pamlico Sound, overlooking the boats in Teach’s Lair Marina. Here, diners can watch fishermen haul in their catches while enjoying fresh seafood. “They have live music all the time, so it’s very loud and full of energy,” Reynolds says of the restaurant. “At a lot of places like that on the Sound, you can just pull your boat up to the back deck.” To satisfy a sweet tooth, Scratchmade Snackery is the place to go, recognizable by its narrow saltbox shack painted bright red. More than the average bakery, this pastry shop is known for its unique confections, including key lime croissants and hippo bread, a super-sized version of monkey bread that weighs in at a whopping one pound.
Celebrating the community’s resilient spirit
With fewer tourists and a lower year-round population than many other towns in the Outer Banks, Hatteras is able to maintain a tight-knit community sustained by annual events. Water-based competitions such as the Surf Fishing Tournament and the Offshore Open attract anglers from across the islands and beyond, while other festivals, such as Day at the Docks, are longstanding local traditions. “The Day at the Docks started after Hurricane Isabel came through and cut off Hatteras from the rest of the island. So, the following year, they came up with the Day of the Docks to celebrate the community coming together,” Munden says. Today, residents gather for a chowder contest and the Blessing of the Fleet, where fishermen parade through the Pamlico Sound on their boats so that the community can pray for their safety and success at sea.
Travel to Ocracoke on a ferry
As the last stop on Hatteras Island, a ferry operates out of the Hatteras Ferry Terminal to carry travelers to Ocracoke. Traveling south along N.C.'s barrier islands, Hatteras is considered the second to last in the chain of towns that comprise the Outer Banks. North Carolina Highway 12 connects it to the Northern Beaches. Kill Devil Hills, the Outer Banks’ largest and most populous town, is roughly 70 miles to the north, about a 90-minute drive.
