MANTEO, N.C. — Cape Hatteras National Seashore will staff five lifeguarded beaches this year from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Lifeguarded Beaches
Lifeguarded beaches are the safest places to swim at the Seashore. The five lifeguarded beaches are as follows:
• Coquina Beach Access (Bodie Island) Located across from the Bodie Island Lighthouse site
• Rodanthe Beach Access (Hatteras Island). The Rodanthe Beach Access, provided by Dare County, is located at 23732 N.C. Highway 12, Rodanthe.
• Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Beach Access (Hatteras Island), adjacent to the former site of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Opening date to be determined
• Frisco Beach Access (Hatteras Island). Located just south of Frisco Village
• Ocracoke Beach Access (Ocracoke Island); 1.5 miles south of the Seashore campground or half-mile north of Ocracoke Village.
Safety Alerts
Seashore visitors can sign up for ocean and beach condition alerts from Outer Banks lifeguards, ocean rescue agencies and the National Weather Service by texting OBXBeachConditions to 77295. Alerts cover conditions in both Dare and Hyde counties.
Love The Beach, Respect the Ocean website
Whether you are planning a visit to a Seashore beach in Dare County or Hyde County’s Ocracoke Island, Love the Beach, Respect the Ocean website is an online destination for learning the daily rip current risk, beach conditions and more. The website also includes many potentially life-saving videos featuring local lifeguards and Outer Banks residents.
Ocean and Beach Safety Tips
• Swim at beaches staffed by lifeguards.
• Bring something in the water with you that floats.
Rather than struggling through a rip current and exhausting yourself, bring something into the ocean that floats and easily float away from the rip current. Float don’t fight.
• Swimming in the Atlantic Ocean is not the same as swimming in a pool or a lake. Ocean swimming can be very physically taxing and may exacerbate underlying medical issues.
• A perfect day on the beach doesn’t always mean that it’s a perfect day in the ocean. If in doubt, don’t go out.
• Never swim alone. Swim with a buddy and have adult supervision for all children. Have someone on shore keep an eye on you while you swim, surf or wade.
• Be aware that the ocean presents additional hazards, such as lightning, high surf and shore break. Learn more at www.lovethebeachrespectheocean.com.
• Avoid wearing shiny objects that may attract sharks and other fish.
• Avoid swimming where danger is present: in rough seas; inlets; around fishing piers and surfers, at night or during thunderstorms.
