Where the Labrador Current meets the Gulf Stream at the tip of Cape Hatteras
Cape Point is where Cape Hatteras actually comes to a point — the sandy spit at the elbow of the island where the Labrador Current sliding down from the north meets the Gulf Stream pushing up from the south. That collision of cold and warm water stirs up baitfish and has made this stretch of beach one of the most storied surf-fishing spots on the East Coast for generations.
Cape Point sits within Cape Hatteras National Seashore, a short drive from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton. Most visitors reach it by 4x4 over the sand via one of the nearby numbered ORV ramps — a valid NPS permit is required for vehicle access, and the exact drivable route shifts with the tides and the season. Anglers who don't want to drive can also walk in.
Because it's an exposed, low-lying point on a barrier island already prone to overwash, expect NC-12 access and beach conditions here to be more weather-dependent than elsewhere on the Outer Banks — hurricane season (August–October) is the time to check ahead.
204 reviews
a month ago
This is a great place! 4x4 is pretty essential to get here. You can park on the point itself and be part of a huge party, or go a little further down and park by yourself. If you walk down the beach a couple hundred yards you have the chance of finding some great treasures on this beach. The further you walk/drive down the beach the more private it gets. This is generally a place that people go and spend most of the day. You do also need an ORV permit to drive on the beaches.
2 months ago
Nice and quiet experience except for.the constant police patrolling a campground that maybe has 5 people at it at any given time. ..😆 row k is at the end and is used to access beach road so you'll get a quite a few trucks driving by other than that amazing place to camp. Showers are refreshing especially on hot days. No hot water-don't need it. Bathrooms clean.
3 months ago
Stayed only one night but it was quiet and relaxing. No mushy rain soaked site. Weather was perfect, cool, breezy.
4 months ago
Cape point is BEAUTIFUL!!! best to go early morning before the fisherman get there so you can look around for shells. Make sure you don't get in the bird nesting areas!
10 months ago
Absolutely beautiful and peaceful spot! Cape Point in North Carolina is a must-see for anyone who loves wide-open beaches and wild coastal scenery. The mix of ocean currents makes it amazing for surf-fishing and shell hunting — I found some of the best shells I’ve ever seen. The sunsets are unreal, and there’s plenty of space to spread out even in busier months. It’s not a resort-style beach — no big crowds, no boardwalk — just dunes, wind, and pure nature. The nearby Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is a bonus stop too. Bring what you need (it’s a bit remote), check the tides, and enjoy one of the most unspoiled spots on the Outer Banks. Highly recommend for anyone who loves adventure, photography, or just unplugging for a while