11/16/11

The Inaugural Hatteras Island Community Fair Is Sure To Be A Fun Family Event

Surf or Sound Realty is a proud sponsor of the inaugural Hatteras Island Community Fair, happening Saturday, November 19 from 2-8pm on the grounds of Cape Hatteras Secondary School in Buxton!

The theme of the fair is “Celebrating the Spirit of Hatteras Island“. Neighbors from Ocracoke and the northern Outer Banks are most welcome as are visitors. A white dove release will kick off the fair at 2:00 pm.

Fun for all ages can be had with rides such as Dixie Swings and Dixie Whizzer, 10 inflatables including Alien Laser Tag and a Bounce House. Games will include Plinko, baseball throw, corn hole toss, cake walk, oyster dig and many more.

Be ready to eat fair favorites like local fried fish, jambalaya, hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, cotton candy, funnel cake, and caramel apples. Also for sale will be Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, Starbucks coffee and much more! For those of you who want fresh produce – Coastal Harvesters will be there selling fresh produce grown in North Carolina.

Live entertainment will be provided on indoor and outdoor stages. The jazz bands of Cape Hatteras Secondary, First Flight High and Manteo High will be performing, followed by Chris Bellamy and other local bands.

Dare County will be onsite with many departments to offer local services, as well as the Dare County Cancer Outreach Program.

Admisson to the fair is free and many activities will be available without charge. Tickets for rides and games are 50 cents each. A free ride ticket is included in a $10 ticket purchase. Two free ride tickets and a free flexible wristband/key chain to hold the tickets are available with a $25 ticket purchase.
On fair day, tickets will be sold at the auditorium box office and one or more satellite booths.

We hope to see you there!


05/22/09

Cape Hatteras listed as one of the top 10 beaches in America

Hatteras Island has once again made renowned “Dr. Beach’s 10 Best Beaches in America” list, with the Cape Hatteras beach ranking #7 for 2009.

Dr Beach, also known as Dr. Leatherman, is considered the national authority on pristine beaches, and bases his annual selections of the ten best beaches on 50 criteria, including water quality and temperature, cleanliness, weather, sand, safety and facilities. Continue reading


03/18/09

Online Ferry Reservations are available for Ocracoke Island ferry routes

Beginning March 18, North Carolina Department of Transportation ferry customers coming to Hatteras Island via to southern route through the Cedar Island or Swan Quarter ferries to Ocracoke Island will have the convenience of ordering advanced tickets for toll ferries online. Tickets can be purchased online under “Advance Ticket Purchase/Reservations.” Continue reading


10/6/08

The story of Hatteras Jack

Not all unexplained mysteries on Hatteras Island are unhappy ones, as evident by the story of one of the island’s most beloved legendary figures, Hatteras Jack. Visitors will spot the moniker almost everywhere they go, (as the name of local businesses, tackle stores, and vacation rental homes), as the phrase “Hatteras Jack” seems to have proud and trustworthy implications.
According to legend, in 1790 the Hatteras Inlet waters in between Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands were well known for being a treacherous passageway for ships trying to get to port. With shifting sandbars and currents, many mariners struggled to make it through these waters.
Assistance for these ships came in a very unusual form.
Captains soon began to notice an albino, white as snow dolphin preceding each boat through the inlet, indicating the path. Somehow, the dolphin, who was dubbed “Hatteras Jack,” always seemed to know the exact route to follow to avoid cuts and sandbars. It wasn’t long before the captains began to trust and even seek out Hatteras Jack, blowing their foghorns as they drew close to the inlet. Continue reading


09/21/08

Ocracoke Art Walk

Planning a day trip to Ocracoke during your fall Hatteras Island vacation? Then check out Ocracoke Island’s 5th annual art walk on Saturday, September 27th, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
During this free and self guided walking tour, you can explore Ocracoke Island’s artist studios. Local quilters, painters, potters, photographers, carvers, jewelers, and other artists will all have their studios, work spaces, and galleries open for the public to visit and explore.
A map will be provided with all artist locations, and a shuttle bus will be available for those who prefer to ride. For more information on Ocracoke’s Art Walk, call (252) 928-3401.


09/9/08

Hatteras Island enjoys being the “Best”

A USA Today travel feature has listed the Cape Hatteras National Seashore as one of the 10 Great National Parks That Will Engage Your Kids . Author Trefoni Rizzi of Teddy’s Travels: America’s National Parks said; “This park is filled with history of pirates, shipwrecks and lighthouses. ..Kids will love the ferry ride from Hatteras Island to Ocracoke, and best of all, it’s free.” Continue reading


08/10/08

Hatteras Island Attractions

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

One of the most famous and recognizable in the world because of its black and white candy cane stripes, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is a definite “must see” on every Hatteras Island vacation.
The lighthouse is located in Buxton and is open for climbing in the summer season for a small fee. At 208 feet, the steep narrow climb is not for the faint of heart. There is also a visitor’s center and gift shop, nearby nature trails, and a wooded picnic area.

A Day Trip to Ocracoke

Ocracoke Island is south of Hatteras Island and is accessed from Hatteras Village by a free ferry that leaves Hatteras Landing. The ferries depart hourly from 5 a.m. until midnight, and every half hour on heavy traffic days. Call (252) 986-2353 for more information on the Hatteras / Ocracoke ferry.
The village of Ocracoke is a small community, just 4 square miles in diameter. The Ocracoke lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse still in operation in America. You can park and stroll around the locally owned shops and restaurants and catch a sparkling sunset over Silver Lake Harbor. Continue reading