Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo Beach Information
Fun Beach Activites!
There are many wonderful ways to enjoy a day on the beach! Like beach fishing, kite flying, walking, camping, buiding sand castles, surfing, kite boarding, sailboarding, roasting marshmallows, photography, and shelling. We have tired to compile some useful information and resources for safely enjoying the beach.
Shelling
The coast of North Carolina is a wonderful place to go shelling especially after high tide or a storm. Please take only empty shells. This The North Carolina Shell Club is great resource for shell collecting!
NPS Regulations and Permits
Cape Hatteras National Seashore has many different types of permits. Make sure to plan ahead for Off Road Vehicle Permits, Beach Fire Permits and wedding Permits.
Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo Beach Acsess Points
Pea Island Beach Parking
Corbina Drive Beach Access - NO PARKING
23213 Corbina Dr, Rodanthe, NC 27968
Rodanthe Beach Access
23713 Midgett Dr, Nags Head, NC 27959
Rodanthe Pier Place - Beach Access Parking: $15.00 per day
24251 Atlantic Dr, Rodanthe, NC 27968
Sea Vista Beach Access - No PARKING
25274 Sea Vista Dr, Waves, NC 27982
Beach Access - No PARKING
Merrimac Lane Beach Access - NO PARKING
26311 Colony Dr, Rodanthe, NC 27968
Bluebeard Drive Beach Access- NO PARKING
26747 Colony Dr, Rodanthe, NC 27968
Salvo Day Use Area
Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV Ramp 23
North Carolina Hwy 12, Rodanthe, NC 27968
Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV Ramp 25
Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV Ramp 27

Do not pick sea oats!
North Carolina General Statute §14-129.2 states that it is unlawful to dig up, pull up, or take from the land of another or from any public domain the whole or any part of any Sea Oats without the consent of the owner of that land. Any person convicted of violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty‑five dollars ($25.00) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200.00) for each offense.
The reason for this law is that sea oats have massive root systems that help protect the dunes form wind and water erosion. This helps keep the sand on the dunes and not covering Highway 12. Highway 12 is the main road on Hatteras Island which means if its closed its very difficult to get of the island.
Beach Safety
Worried about getting your vehicle stuck in the sand?
Be sure that you have purchased your ORV permit from the National Park Service. You can purchase an ORV permit online at Recreation.gov or at an NPS permit office at the Ocracoke, Hatteras, or Bodie Island Visitor Centers. Read about ORV use and permits here
Do NOT TRY TO DRIVE ON THE BEACH WITHOUT 4 WHEEL DRIVE!
Just because your vehicle does good in snow and ice does NOT mean it will do good on sand because it's a completely different issue. Vehicles immediately sink into the sand causing a resistance that you need to be able to push through without sinking further and spinning.
Whether or not you think it is necessary, always remove air from your tires just before heading out on the beach. Most tires can be set down to about 15 to 18 PSI. This spreads that tire out and creates a wider flatter tread surface to help your vehicle stay closer to the surface of the sand. That creates less resistance and helps keep you from spinning or digging in deeper. Note if you become stuck continue to let air out of the tires until you are able to proceed. I personally had to go down to 5 PSI once when I tried to drive through rising tide wash and my truck sunk into the floorboards.
Don't wait until you are already stuck and buried to the axle in the sand to let out the air and put into four wheel drive. It will be much harder to get out when you have already dug in if you do.
As soon as you leave the beach always go cautiously straight to the nearest station that allows you to fill your tires with their normal pressures. There are multiple gas stations and tackle shops with free air pumps. Driving at highway speeds with low tire pressures can be extremely dangerous as well as harmful to your tires.
Here are a couple basic things to keep in your vehicle if you are planning to drive in the sand a pressure gauge, shovel and tow chain (if you feel confident enough that you might want to help others that are stuck).
When driving on the beach please slow down and respect the safety of others. More than once I have had a child run out from between two parked vehicles into my path. If I would have been going even the posted speed I wouldn't have been able to stop in time.
Also be mindful when pulling off on the side of the road on HWY 12. Many people park on the side of the road to accses parts of the beach. However the grass or ground can look deceivingly solid. As soon as your tires are off the road your tires will sink in to the sand and it is possible to end up stuck.
Sun Safety
To make sure you have a good vacation remember to stay hydrated, try to plan your beach activities for cooler times of the day, use a beach tent or umbrella, and please do yourself a favor and wear sunscreen. No one wants to spend their vacation red as a lobster and peeling! Always bring shoes with you to the beach The sand on the beach can sometimes get hot enough to burn the bottoms of your feet and sharp shells can hurt your feet!
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can be serious! Older adults and children are at higher risk. Kids might be having so much fun, they don’t notice the warning signs. Check on your children frequently and make sure they stay hydrated and don't get to over heated.
Heat cramps can happen when you get dehydrated or before you get heat exhaustion. Listen to your body and get out of the sun, drink cool water or sports drinks, gently massage or stretch the cramping muscle.

Rip Currents
Our weather on the Outer Banks often changes quickly and often unpredictably. No matter what the weather is at the time you are on the beach you may eventually run into a rip current. We want all beachgoers to be able to recognize a rip current and understand the correct way to deal with it if you accidently get into one.
Don’t swim against a rip current! To get out of a rip current swim parallel to the beach until you are free or float while calling for help. The most important thing is to remain above water where rescuers can see you and not to tire out. If you use up to much energy trying to get to shore it will increases your chance of drowning.
If you see someone in a rip current DO NOT swim out to help them! DO try to throw them flotation device, tell them you can see them and to float if they're tired or to try swimming parallel to the beach and that you're working to get help. If a lifeguard is not present call 9-1-1. Read More
Hazardous Debris
If you are visiting Rodanthe after a storm or recent flooding be mindful when walking on the beach. The Rodanthe area has issues with beach erosion that sometimes cause ocean front houses to collapse.
The Hatteras National Seashore Facebook Page is a great way to stay up to date on what's happening on the beaches.