Reserve your spot in our regular programs or just drop in and enjoy some of our free mini-programs (10 to 15 minutes each) which are run throughout the day (usually two each hour).

Mini-Programs

Make Your Own Wetland	Learn what makes wetlands are so special by making your own wetland. (Supplies provided.)
Salt Marsh Clean-up Crew	Worms, fungus, and bacteria, oh my! Learn about how these organisms clean up the salt marsh and what we can do to help clean up our planet.
Beach in a Box	The sand on our beach never stops moving. Through our simulation, learn how sand travels and why sand travel is so important to the Outer Banks.
Coming soon: Animal Meet and Greet	Come say hello to or two creature friends: the eastern box turtle and eastern rat snake.
Solar Flair	How does sunshine become electricity? Come and explore solar energy and take a look at the solar garden right next door.
Where Does My Water Go?	Explore water pollution sources and pollution prevention in a coastal area using a 3D coastal landscape model. Hands-on activities bring to life the impacts on wetlands, estuaries, oceans, beaches, barrier islands, groundwater, coral reefs, shellfish beds and more.
Marsh Walk	Join us for a stroll down our boardwalk and let’s explore what lives in our marsh.
Trash Talk	Did you know that fishing line can take 600 years or longer to decompose? Come talk trash with us.

Regular Program Schedule

Kayak Nature Tour $40 Come see the diverse wildlife of our salt marsh up close and personal as we kayak through the wetland in our own backyard! Our guides will make sure you get the most out of what our wetlands have to offer. Kayaks and safety equipment will be provided. Tandem and single kayaks are available. Sunscreen and bug spray are recommended. All levels of kayaking ability are welcome.	Mon 9 – 11 4 – 6	Tue 4 – 6	Wed 9 – 11 4 – 6	Thu 4 – 6	Fri 9 – 11 4 – 6
Sea Turtles 101 Learn everything you ever wanted to know about the life cycle of our local sea turtle species through fun family friendly activities and videos. We talk about why sea turtles can become stranded on our beaches and we will even walk through a mock-stranding! Each participant will have their own job during this scenario to save a sea turtle’s life!	Mon 9 – 11 4 – 6	Tue 9 – 11	Wed 9 – 11 4 – 6	Thu 9 – 11	Fri 9 – 11
SUP Nature Tour Come see the diverse wildlife of our salt marsh up close and personal as we kayak through the wetland in our own backyard! Our guides will make sure you get the most out of what our wetlands have to offer. Kayaks and safety equipment will be provided. Tandem and single kayaks are available. Sunscreen and bug spray are recommended. All levels of kayaking ability are welcome.	Mon 9 – 11 4 – 6	Tue 9 – 11	Wed 9 – 11 4 – 6	Thu 9 – 11	Fri 9 – 11

 

 

 

 

 

 

A limited number of lifetime passes are available now, before construction, at a special deeply discounted rate of $500.  This is a great way for you to show your support for the pier and ensure that you have a lifetime of use at a very affordable price. After construction, Dare County residents will be able to buy annual passes at a discount and special annual passes will be available to rental homeowners that will allow all their renters unlimited use.

Lifetime pass price is subject to change without any notice. Only a limited number will be sold at this price. BUY NOW.  Don’t get shut out. You designate whether your purchase is placed into the Restricted Pier Fund or the Nonrestricted Pier Fund (see below).

Pier Funds

Restricted:  Monies will only be released after there is a functioning pier or during the later stages of construction when Restricted Fund monies will be released to enable completion of the pier.  If a functioning pier is not completed, monies will be returned.

Nonrestricted:  Monies will only go to pier construction but are likely to be spent relatively early in the construction process.

Amounts paid over the $500 purchase price will be contributions. (Contributions to the Restricted Pier Fund become contributions as soon as monies are released from the fund.)

Hatteras Island Ocean Center, Inc. is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) corporation. Donations are tax deductible.

Please send checks to:

Hatteras Island Ocean Center, Inc.
PO Box 250
Hatteras, NC  27943

If you’d like more information, please contact us.