Why Join Hatteras Sailing ?

Hatteras Sailing was founded in 2020 to provide exemplary sailing and boating educational programs to local Islanders, seasonal vacationers, and summer residents. Programs have been growing and improving each year. While there is an emphasis on Sailing, it is more than a sailing club. The Organizational Mission is to support and nurture the unique and mysterious maritime heritage of Cape Hatteras while keeping traditional marine trades and skills alive and active in the community. Benefits and membership privileges are designed not only to be a worthwhile investment, your membership helps support the non profit organization as it develops an increasing variety of on-water and classroom programming for the community. Please help support sustaining maritime heritage on the Outer Banks and Join Now!

For Hatteras Island Rental Property Owners and Visitors

This unique class of membership is especially designed for you and your customers’ needs. It is called the “Cape Select” membership because there is limited availability and you can’t get much closer to the Cape by boat than where we are in Buxton. These privileges are a special ammenity provided to you by the owner of your vacation property. Since the program is fresh and new, not many have joined yet, so be sure to let them know that you like boating and that this is something you would really appreciate them offering as part of their rental package to you. If they are not already a member of Cape Select, we have a weekly group option as well. Privileges not only include a place to safely launch your boat, expert advise, local knowlege, training, rental discounts, charters and social activities are part of the package as well. And even if the worst case scenario happens, we have rescue and towing services on hand to help get you out a bind so you can quickly get back to the reason you came to Cape Hatteras National Seashore……. to have fun!

For Year Round Residents

Hatteras Sailing is here to meet and exceed your expectations. Never before has a boating and maritime organization like this existed on Hatteras Island ! The Organization is quite young compared to its peer in Hampton, Wrightsville and Beaufort and we are doing our utmost to learn and improve as fast as possible, nevertheless please grow with us so we can all look back someday at how amazing our efforts have turned out!

Investing in Youth is a very high priority, but not the only purpose. Offering maritime education, safety training, boating and water access to the entire community is our purpose. Hatteras Island locals are a working class community that mostly supports the Vacation Rental Industry. It’s not hard for village communities to lose their original character under the pressure and financial attractiveness that comes with promoting tourism…. but there has to be an effort to keep the local heritage alive and strong in the community at risk of it fading away completely. We believe that to do this, we must diligently strive to instill a passion for the the Sea and all it encompasses, starting with our kids.

We do this by offering fun and casual introduction programs called Cape Explorers Camps to any niche group who will take advantage of the offering. We host affordable Parks and Rec Camps, Homeschool Camps, Yacht Club Juniors programs and more. Its important to not let it stop at just an introduction! There has to be a fun and challenging way to keep learning and improving. Hence, our year-round seasonal programs such as our Sailing Littles Program, our Opti Sailing Program and our High School 420 Sailing Programs. These all run for a term of about 8 weeks and provide ample opportunities for continued progress and growth. In fact, this year we have our first group of kids pursuing their Instructor Certifications !

Sailing is more about competent and safe seamanship. Becoming proud of one’s accomplishments, and discovering how awesome a “Maritime” backyard we have here on Hatteras to take advantage of. I tell the kids I coach, that with some effort and practice, their backyard will soon reach from Manteo Harbor, to the Gulf Stream, to Cape Lookout and New Bern. There are some exciting adventures to be had in this back yard and beyond, as we help them get the skills they need to be safe in such an adventure.

Local Year Round Membership Benefits

In support of our mission to develop sailing on Hatteras Island, members benefit from internationally standardized sailing education, fun social events, regular sailing, and one-design regattas. We socialize with other Hatteras Island sailors and compete in sailing regionally, nationally, and internationally.  Membership is not required to participate in our educational programs, sailing festivals, or regattas but there is a worthwhile discount and incentive for membership. 

Hatteras Sailing supports a wide range of sailing interests and all experience levels. We have sailing programs for adults and juniors to learn to sail, and social opportunities. Our members benefit from discounts on dockage and on-land storage. While our sailing programs are not exclusive to members, members benefit from discounted rates on most sailing opportunities and home regatta sailing.