Our nature programs will begin Memorial Day, May 26, 2026.
ALL PROGRAMS BEGIN AT THE HI OCEAN CENTER
Please note: Staffing is assigned based on reservations; therefore, cancellations made 24-72 hours prior to the program will only receive a 50% refund. Cancellations due to weather conditions are exempt from that discounted refund.
Exciting Programs that offer unparalleled views of local unique beauty!
Make your reservations now for our programs that explore Hatteras Village, Hatteras Island and our surroundings. Whether it be on the beach, in the marsh or the beautiful Pamlico Sound, you’re sure to enjoy our amazingly scenic programming at the Ocean Center! We will post special programming on our Facebook whenever necessary!
Kayak Nature Tours
Our kayaking tours are the most weather sensitive. Aside from rain, any wind 12+ mph makes touring risky and will result in cancellation. Event staff will make the call based on conditions.
Come see the diverse wildlife of our salt marsh up close and personal! Our guided kayak nature tours go through our winding wetlands and then out into the Pamlico Sound. Participants aged 7+ can ride tandem kayak with an adult but those 12+ can paddle their own kayak! Children 6 and under are not allowed for safety reasons. All Tours are $40/person.
Attend a brief presentation and learn everything you want to know about the life cycle of our local sea turtle species. Then join us on the beach and learn how the NPS works to assist these endangered species. Discover what you can do to help save our endangered sea turtles as we take a look at what it takes to rehabilitate these amazing creatures! $10/person
Relax around the campfire with an iconic Hatteras sunset while enjoying exceptional stargazing experience. Learn about Outer Banks history, legends, and nighttime beach creatures underneath some of the darkest skies you’ll find along the East Coast. Both kids and adults will enjoy searching for ghost crabs in the tide, eating s’mores, and laying back under the Milky Way. $15/person
Beach chairs, towels, or blankets are recommended.
“Next time you’re on the beach at night and you hear the wind or see something just out of the corner of your eye, maybe it’s just the tide…or maybe…it’s one of the stories… still being told.”
from Tales From the Tides
Tales From the Tides
NEW for 2026! Out here, where the land meets the ocean, stories don’t just live in books. They travel on the wind, they echo in the waves and sometimes, they walk along the shore. During Tales From the Tides, we’ll share a few of those stories, some mysterious, some a little spooky, and some that remind us of the people who came before us. Make s’mores over the fire, lay back and enjoy tales from the tides! $15/person
Beach chairs, towels, or blankets are recommended.
Join us at the Hatteras Island Ocean Center for inspiring programs led by coastwise experts. Explore marine life, seabird marshes, and shipwreck histories through interactive talks and hands-on activities.
Dates and information will be posted here as these special events are planned!
Learn more
Dates vary seasonally
The Ocean Center provides a dynamic schedule of eco-friendly programs designed for all ages, promoting hands-on learning about tides, habitats, and ocean stewardship.
Adjacent to Cape Hatteras National Seashore outreach and education space with field-based activities.
See calendar
Plan your visit
In the off season, we host seminars, field trips, and other projects that empower communities to protect coastal habitats and marine life. Contact us for more information.
Season schedule here
Our center blends education and conservation outreach through interactive programs, exhibits, and community partnerships.
Hatteras Island Ocean Center 
