The Cape Hatteras National Seashore extends from the town of Nags Head, NC south to Ocracoke Island. Resource preservation efforts are most obvious in the park's miles of undeveloped coastal habitat, but also include several historic sites including three light stations at Bodie Island, Cape Hatteras, and Ocracoke Island.
"Located on the Atlantic Ocean near the town of Duck, North Carolina, the FRF is an internationally-recognized coastal observatory. Instruments at the facility constantly record the changing waves, winds, tides, and currents. Central to the facility is a 1840 foot long pier and specialized vehicles."