Cape Hatteras

North Carolina, United States

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Cape Hatteras is a cape located on Hatteras Island, part of the Outer Banks barrier islands of North Carolina, known for its rugged coastline shaped by wind, waves, and storms. It is famous for the treacherous waters called the "Graveyard of the Atlantic," where over 600 ships have wrecked due to shallow shoals, storms, and hazardous currents, especially around the shifting Diamond Shoals.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore, established in 1953 as the first national seashore in the United States, protects over 70 miles of beaches, sand dunes, salt marshes, and maritime forests across Bodie Island, Hatteras Island, and Ocracoke Island.

The area is popular for fishing, surfing, birdwatching, hiking, and camping, and features iconic landmarks like the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse—the tallest brick lighthouse in North America. Nearby communities like Buxton offer local charm and access to the scenic seashore, which attracts more than 2 million visitors annually.