Hatteras Island

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Hatteras Island as seen in a satellite photo.

Hatteras Island is a barrier island located off the North Carolina coast. Dividing the Atlantic Ocean and the Pamlico Sound, it runs parallel to the coast, forming a bend at Cape Hatteras. It is part of North Carolina's Outer Banks and includes the towns of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras. It contains the largest part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. It is almost entirely in Dare County, North Carolina, but there is a very small sliver of about 45 acres (180,000 m²) which extends southwest into Hyde County.

The island is one of the longest in the contiguous United States, measuring 42 miles (68 km) along a straight line from end to end, or roughly 50 miles (80 km) along the curve of the land.

Hatteras Island is known for sport fishing, surfing, windsurfing and kiteboarding, and is known as "The blue marlin capital of the world."

Accommodations range from hotels and condos to luxurious oceanfront cottages. Hatteras Island is often used for destination weddings, family reunions, and special events.

According to the United States Census Bureau the island has a land area of 85.56 km² (33.04 sq mi) and a population of 4,001 as of the 2000 census.^[1]

Roanoke colonists

It was believed that the lost colonists of Roanoke Island had attempted to travel to this island, because during the late 1500s this island was known as "Croatoan" and was inhabited by a friendly native tribe.^[2]

Law enforcement

As there are no incorporated places on Hatteras, the island is patrolled by the Dare County Sherrif's Office, North Carolina Highway Patrol, and the National Park Service. The small southwestern section of Hatteras Island located within Hyde County is typically not patrolled by Hyde County law enforcement.

Accessibility

Hatteras Island is accessible from the northern Outer Banks via the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge. Hatteras may be reached from the south via the Ocracoke-Hatteras ferry. Presently there is no direct route linking Hatteras Island to the Hyde County mainland, resulting in a 2-3 hour commute around the Pamlico Sound.

References

External links

• USGS GNIS: Hatteras Island

Coordinates: 35°24′30″N 75°29′13″W / 35.40833°N 75.48694°W / 35.40833; -75.48694