Fishing, 4x4 beach access, and what to know before you go — one of the most famous stretches of sand on Hatteras Island, and a natural day trip from Avon.
Cape Point in Buxton is one of the most famous places on Hatteras Island. Located within Cape Hatteras National Seashore near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, "the Point" is where the island bends westward toward Diamond Shoals. It's known for big surf, constantly shifting sandbars, long beach days, and some of the most recognized surf fishing on the East Coast.
From Avon it's roughly a 20 to 30 minute drive south, which makes the Point an easy day trip: a quiet morning on the dock, an afternoon at Cape Point, then a sunset stop near the lighthouse on the way home.
Lucky Landing is a 2-bedroom canal-front cottage in Avon that sleeps 8, with a private dock and kayaks included. The outdoor shower takes care of the sand before anyone comes inside, and dogs are welcome.
Fish or crab off the dock in the morning, head south for the afternoon, and come home to the water.
Check available datesView the home & dockCape Point sits near where major Atlantic currents meet the shallows of Diamond Shoals. The shoreline, troughs, sloughs, and sandbars shift constantly with wind, tides, storms, and season. Those changing conditions are part of what makes the fishing so productive — and why experienced anglers return year after year.
The Point is especially well known for red drum, including the large "old drum" that draw surf anglers to Hatteras Island every fall. Depending on the season, anglers may also encounter bluefish, Spanish mackerel, mullet, sharks, and cobia.
Even if you're not fishing, Cape Point is worth the trip for the wide-open beach, sunrise and sunset views, birdlife, and the feeling of standing at one of the Outer Banks' most iconic natural landmarks.
Cape Point is in Buxton, south of Avon on NC Highway 12 — roughly a 20 to 30 minute drive depending on where you start and seasonal traffic. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Buxton Woods, local restaurants, and several beach-access ramps are all nearby, making it easy to pair with a lighthouse visit or a Buxton lunch stop.
Sometimes — but only on designated NPS ORV routes, only when those routes are open, and only with a valid Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV permit (the same permit used island-wide, sold online only at Recreation.gov: $50 for 10 days or $120 for a year; details on our Cape Hatteras ORV permit guide). Beach access at Cape Point specifically can change because of nesting birds, sea turtles, shorebird protection areas, weather, tides, and shifting sand — more so than most other stretches of the seashore.
Never assume a ramp or beach corridor is open because it was open on a previous trip. Check the official NPS beach-access conditions immediately before you leave, follow all posted signs, and stay within the marked route.
You don't need a truck to see it. The NPS keeps a pedestrian path, Ramp 45, that runs about 1½ miles from the Cape Point Campground roundabout to the beach on the south side of the cape. From there the Point itself is a further walk along the sand, so go early, bring water, and expect soft sand. The path crosses an ORV route, so watch for vehicles.
If a long walk isn't on the cards, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and the Buxton beaches nearby give you the same big-ocean feel from a paved parking lot. Walkers are subject to the same wildlife closures as vehicles, so check the access status first.
| Season | Why go | Plan around |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Birdlife, the first fishing of the year, few crowds | Shorebird nesting closures often start, and can shut parts of the Point |
| Summer | Long beach days, warm water, lighthouse pairing | Heat, crowds, turtle-nesting closures and night-driving limits |
| Fall | The red drum run, cooler weather, the Point's busiest fishing season | Runs vary year to year, and the beach gets crowded on good days |
| Winter | Solitude, storm-reshaped beaches, photography | Cold wind, and storms that can close ramps with no notice |
Closures are set each year by the NPS, not by the calendar. Treat this table as a starting point, not a forecast.
Cape Point is a destination for serious surf fishermen, but newcomers can enjoy it too with some preparation. The most productive water often isn't the farthest water — look for sloughs, troughs, cuts in the sandbar, moving bait, changing water color, and current seams.
Conditions change constantly; what worked last week, or even that morning, may not work later in the day. Many anglers focus on tide changes, especially around moving water, while also watching wind direction, swell, and the current shape of the bar.
Anyone 16 or older needs a North Carolina Coastal Recreational Fishing License (CRFL) to fish the surf here — children under 16 are exempt. If you're new to Hatteras surf fishing, a local tackle shop or an experienced guide is worth the stop for current intel.
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Cape Point sits inside a protected national seashore and a dynamic wildlife habitat. Seasonal closures protect nesting sea turtles and shorebirds — respect every closure, stay out of marked areas, keep pets under control where they're permitted, pack out all trash, and give wildlife plenty of space. Night driving is also restricted on national seashore beaches during parts of the nesting season — check current NPS conditions for exact dates each year.
On crowded fishing days, be courteous to other anglers: give neighboring lines room, avoid casting over others, keep vehicle traffic considerate after dark, and don't block beach travel routes. The Point works best when everyone treats it as both a shared fishing destination and a protected natural area.
Hungry after a day at the Point? Family activities and food in nearby Frisco are just up the road, or continue south to Hatteras Village and the ferry for the working harbor and the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum.
Cape Point is in Buxton, roughly 20 to 30 minutes south of Avon on NC Highway 12. Travel time varies with traffic, weather, and which ramp or parking area you use.
To drive on the beach, yes: a Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV permit, sold online only at Recreation.gov ($50 for 10 days, $120 for a year). Print it, because screenshots aren't accepted. You don't need an ORV permit to walk in, but anyone 16 or older needs a North Carolina Coastal Recreational Fishing License to fish.
Ramp 43 is the main vehicle access, just south of the lighthouse area, and Ramp 44 is the other nearby option. Ramp 45 is a pedestrian path from the Cape Point Campground area.
Yes. The NPS pedestrian path at Ramp 45 runs about 1½ miles from the Cape Point Campground roundabout to the beach, and the Point is a further walk along the sand. The lighthouse and nearby Buxton beaches are reachable from paved parking.
The area is part of the national seashore year-round, but ORV routes and sections of the Point open and close seasonally for nesting shorebirds and sea turtles, and temporarily for weather and shifting sand. Check the NPS beach access status on the day you go.
It varies by season but commonly includes red drum (with large 'old drum' in fall), bluefish, Spanish mackerel, mullet, sharks, and cobia. Check current North Carolina size and bag limits before you fish.
The NPS beach access status page at nps.gov/caha is updated daily with every ramp's status. You can also text CAHAORV to 333111 for NPS beach access alerts.
Access, permit rules, and closures at Cape Point change with the season. These official sources have the latest:
Last reviewed for the current season. If you spot something out of date, let us know.
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See which weeks are open, check that the cottage fits your group and your gear, and keep the NPS access page handy for the drive south.
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