Hatteras Village sits at the very southern end of Hatteras Island, where NC 12 runs out of land and the road continues only by boat. It is a fishing community first, with charter boats at the docks, tackle shops, small restaurants, and the sort of quiet streets where locals nod from their porches. The island has lived off the sea for centuries, from early settlers who salvaged wrecks and fished to the modern sportfishing fleet, and the museum nearby tells the story of the Graveyard of the Atlantic, where shifting shoals and storms wrecked countless ships.
The road down the island is long and narrow, a ribbon laid on a sandbar, with the ocean on one side and the sound on the other. It is a gentle ride, flat, with just enough bends to keep you honest, and the sense of being on a strip of sand in the Atlantic never quite leaves you. Strong crosswinds are common, especially in the afternoon, and winter storms have swamped the road and sent sand drifting across the tarmac, so a ride after a big blow can be messy. Summer brings traffic, mostly rental cars and holidaymakers, so watch for sudden stops.
The village is also the terminal for the state ferry to Ocracoke, a free crossing of about an hour across Pamlico Sound. The boats run frequently in season, and you queue in your lane and wait, so allow time. Gulls follow the wake, and dolphins sometimes appear alongside, which makes up for any wait. Arrive early in summer, because lines can be long and the queues spill back along the road. Check the schedule, as weather can delay or cancel sailings.
Services are straightforward. Hatteras has petrol, groceries and a decent number of places to eat, with fresh local fish on many menus, and Buxton, about fifteen kilometres back, has more. If you are going on to Ocracoke, fill the tank here or on the island, and bring cash for small shops. The sunsets over the sound are lovely, and an evening here, after the ferry traffic thins, is peaceful.