Cape Hatteras (Outer Banks)
6FXJ+R2 Buxton, NC, USA
About This Break
Cape Hatteras is the crown jewel of Outer Banks surfing and one of the premier wave zones on the U.S. East Coast. At Old Lighthouse Beach in Buxton, shifting sandbars and the unique geography of Cape Hatteras combine to produce powerful lefts, rights and hollow A-frame barrels. Northeast swell can light up the legendary First Groin with heavy barreling lefts, while south and southeast swell favors sweeping rights farther up the beach. Tropical systems, nor'easters and Atlantic storms can transform the Cape into a world-class surf destination, with offshore northwest winds grooming powerful lines along the shoreline. Rapidly changing sandbars, strong currents and heavy surf make the premier Lighthouse peaks best suited to experienced surfers.
The East Coast's premier beach break, where Atlantic swells hit shifting sandbars off the famous lighthouse. Cape Hatteras is an intermediate-level A-frame beach break near Outer Banks in United States, delivering high quality waves for improving surfers ready to progress. It is most consistent from September to April (winter NW swells). All tides; sandbar-dependent. Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out. Surfers drawn to Cape Hatteras can browse beachfront homes, villas and lots for sale around Outer Banks with International Surf Properties.
Spot Characteristics
Local Knowledge
Moderate; can get busy in peak season
Powerful rip and lateral currents, rapidly shifting sandbars, heavy shorebreak, hurricane and nor'easter conditions, submerged remnants of old groins/jetties, sharks, changing water temperatures and potentially difficult paddle-outs. NPS warns that ocean conditions and rip-current risk can change rapidly. Beach and ORV access can also change due to storms, erosion and wildlife closures.
