Tips for Fishing the Ideal Conditions

• Proceed with extreme caution and consideration for other beach users and fishermen. Pedestrians have the right of way, remain on the lookout for children, pets, fishing lines, holes and beach escarpment.

• Drive slowly and be alert for people lying, standing or walking on the beach.

• Use of a Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) vehicle to drive on the beach.

• Lower the pressure on all tires to 15-20lbs. of pressure. The softer the sand the lower the pressure generally needed.  When exiting to paved roads, inflate the tires to normal air pressure as soon as possible. A free air filling station is available at TW's Bait and Tackle in Nags Head.

• Drive on the portion of the beach located just below the high tide mark when the possible. Take caution to avoid getting too close to the water. 

• Maintain a slow and steady drive speed. The speed limit on National Park beaches is 15 mph, unless otherwise posted. Check local townships of Nags Head, KDH and Corolla/Carova for speed limits.

• Salt water spray is highly corrosive. It is recommended that you wash the vehicle after each outing, both sheet metal and undercarriage.

• If your tires begin to slip and lose traction, back up in your tire tracks slowly for several car lengths and accelerate slowly as you move forward - additional tire deflation may be necessary. Park Rangers & Game Officials may assist you, but are not permitted to pull or tow other vehicles. Commercial towing services are available if you become stuck.

• Please do not litter, all trash must be discarded trash containers wherever available or by bagging and removing it from the beach. Bait and fish carcasses must be properly disposed of and must not be left behind.

• Be considerate of others parked in your area and maintain a safe and pleasurable distance.

• When parking on the beach, ensure room is available for two-way traffic to pass safely. Park along the shoreline in a single row of vehicles no more than one vehicle deep.

• Refill holes and remove any boards or other aids after being stuck, leaving the beach passable for others.

• Practice common courtesy on the beach and the rules of the road when meeting or passing other vehicles at constricted areas.

• It is incumbent upon each of us to preserve the natural beauty of our beaches, take extreme care and leave the area better than how it was found.

Yes, it is important to avoid damaging the dunes and native vegetation.

• When entering and exiting the beach, you must ONLY drive at designated ramps. Driving on the dunes are strictly prohibited and will result in a fine and citation. Proceed with caution and avoid stopping on ramps; many access areas are narrow laned and have blind-spots because of the steepness of the dune.

• When on the beach, you must avoid driving or parking on the wrack line. A wrack line is a line organic material (ie: seaweed) or other debris (ie: shells) deposited at high tide on beaches. The wrack line serves as important food and habitat source for birds, turtles and other marine life.

Yes, you'll need the following items:

• High quality low-pressure tire gauge and tire deflators

• A small shovel

• Jack and jack support

• Tow strap and traction mats

• First aid kit and emergency lighting

• Full-sized spare tire

• Trash bags or container for litter

• If physically unfit, avoid driving in remote areas and take extra precaution to have safety equipment (ie: VHF Radio, Air Horn, Spotlight, etc.)

• Vehicle must have no more than two axles and tires that are listed and approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation

Recovery gear, first aid kits, and portable air compressors are commonly recommended.

• Observe posted closures. Violators are subjected to a fine of up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment up to 6 months.

• Night Driving: During the sea turtle nesting season, from May 1 to November 15, driving on the Seashore's beaches is prohibited from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Some portions of designated ORV routes may reopen to night driving on September 15 if there are no turtle nests in the area.  Contact the park or check the website for permit information. From November 16 to April 30 night driving is allowed.
• Pets must be on a 6-foot leash at all times. Pets are prohibited within any bird closure. They can disturb nesting adults, kill chicks or crush eggs.

• Beach fires are permitted with a free beach fire permit from May 1 to November 15 only on the ocean beaches in front of Coquina Beach; the villages of Rodanthe, Salvo, Waves, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras; and the Ocracoke Day Use Area.  Fires are prohibited from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. year-round. Beach fires are permitted from November 16 to April 30 on Seashore's beaches with the free beach permit. Beach Fires may be ignited and maintained seaward of the ocean dune below the high tide mark, but in no case, less than 50 feet from a vegetated area, and fires must not be built within any resource closure or within 328 feet (100 meters) of any turtle nest closure. All fires must be no greater than 3 feet in diameter. The use of non-wood products or wood products containing non-wood items (glass, plastics, cans) for fire construction is prohibited. No beach fires are allowed in posted bird or turtle nest protection areas.

• Remove ANY trash or litter from the beach, including bait, fish parts, or dead fish. Trash attracts predators.

• Feeding wildlife (Including Gulls) is prohibited. Human food is unhealthy for wildlife and may create a harmful dependence on humans for survival. Feeding may artificially inflate animal populations, create aggressive behavior and force other species out of their habitat.

• Kite flying and frisbee tossing are prohibited within or above any bird closure. Kites and frisbees can scare birds off their nests, leaving eggs and chicks exposed to predators and deadly heat.
• Fireworks and metal detectors are not permitted.

• Jet Skis and other motorized personal watercraft are not allowed.

• Return all fish not being kept back to the water alive, including skates and sharks.

• Camp ONLY in designated campgrounds, not on the beaches.

• Do not dump wastewater or greywater on the beach. Please use park dump stations for this purpose.

• Portions of the beach may be temporarily closed to ORVs due to mandated protection of wildlife and plant species, such as protected birds and sea turtles. Closure boundaries may shrink or expand given the specific behavior or requirements of protected wildlife. In addition, certain areas of the beach may be closed due to seasonal pedestrian use or if the beach is too narrow for safe driving. Alternative routes of bypasses may be established if possible. For current information, visit one of the seashore visitor centers or www.nps.gov/caha.

Yes, North Carolina Traffic Laws Apply To Beach Driving

• A current valid driver’s license, valid vehicle registration, valid insurance, and current license plate are required for all vehicles to access the beach.

• Observe Posted Speed Limits. The speed limit on National Park beaches is 15 mph; unless otherwise posted.

• Open containers of any type of alcoholic beverage are prohibited in vehicles. Public consumption of spirituous liquors or fortified wines is prohibited.

• The use of seatbelts is required. Any reckless driving (i.e.: excessive speed or intentional spinning out) is strictly prohibited and enforceable.

• Do not hang out of moving vehicles or sit on the tailgate or roof. Those in truck beds must be seated on the floor with the tailgate closed. Children in truck beds must be accompanied by an adult. Check the weather forecast and tide tables before starting your trip.

• Drive only on marked ORV routes and comply with posted restrictions. Do not drive on or between the dunes. Driving or parking on vegetation is prohibited.

• Any Law Applicable To Vehicle Use on a paved road in the State of North Carolina also applies to ORV use.

• When on the beach, you must avoid driving or parking on the wrack line. A wrack line is a line organic material (ie: seaweed) or other debris (ie: shells) deposited at high tide on beaches. The wrack line serves as important food and habitat source for birds, turtles and other marine life.

• Pedestrians ALWAYS have the right-of-way.