Hatteras Vacation Rentals - Hatteras-NC.com

Hatteras Island has a few motels, more than a dozen regional campgrounds, and even a couple Bed and Breakfast' which have gained national recognition and acclaim, but the main form of accommodations for visitors are vacation rentals.

The island boasts more than 2,500 vacation rental homes and condos, which are found in abundance throughout all seven villages, and which vary in size, style, and amenities. From the classic two-bedroom "beach box" to the 12-bedroom oceanfront or soundfront retreat, visitors to Hatteras Island can find virtually everything they need for a great vacation via the Hatteras Island vacation rental market.

About Hatteras Island Vacation Rentals

Communities in Avon and Buxton began building cottages for rent as early as the 1960s and 1970s, soon after the Herbert C. Herbert C. Bonner Bridge was opened in 1963. Today, visitors can still rent one of these classic one-story cottages on pilings, known locally as Beach Boxes, or one of the grand 6, 8 or even 10+ bedroom estates which were constructed in the last decade or so.
Vacation rentals on Hatteras Island include condos in the 1-3 bedroom range, and cottages / vacation homes in the 2-12 bedroom range. There are no duplexes for rent on Hatteras Island.
Condos on Hatteras Island are available at a handful of popular developments which include Resort Rodanthe in Rodanthe, Islander Condos in Avon, and Slash Creek and Durant Station in Hatteras Village.
Though condos are available, vacation homes are the dominant form of accommodations, and are found in each of the seven villages on the island.
Location descriptions for vacation rentals include oceanfront and soundfront, "semi-oceanfront" and "semi-soundfront," (which indicates that the property is one lot away from the waterfront), and "canalfront," which indicates that the property is located on a canal that's connected to the Pamlico Sound.
Vacation rentals can also be simply "oceanside" or "soundside," which distinguishes whether they are located on the oceanside or soundside of NC Highway 12, the only two-lane main road which runs through the length of the island.
Every community on Hatteras Island is different, but with the exception of a few wooded vacation rental homes in Buxton and Frisco, (which are close to the Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve), virtually all vacation rentals are within a 5-10 minute walk from the beachfront.

Booking a Hatteras Island Vacation Rental

There are 5-6 main property management companies on Hatteras Island that offer 100 or more vacation rentals throughout all seven villages.
While a very small handful of vacation rentals on Hatteras Island are rented via the owner directly, the majority of rentals are reserved through one of the island's local property management, or vacation rental companies.
All of these vacation rental companies feature comprehensive websites with detailed property listings, amenities, photos, current availability, and seasonal rates.
From these Hatteras Island property management company websites, future visitors can perform easy online searches based on their criteria, and even book a vacation rental online.
Most all vacation rentals are available on a weekly 7-day basis, with a turnover day of Saturday or Sunday. Partial week reservations may be available for smaller condos or homes, or for last-minute bookings that are made within two-weeks of an arrival date.
Once a visitor has booked a vacation rental, they will need to sign a Vacation Rental Agreement per NC State law. This is essentially a short-term lease agreement, where the leaseholder will be responsible for the property for the duration of their stay.
An initial deposit or payment is often required at the time of booking, or shortly thereafter, depending on when a property is booked. (Advanced reservations for the following year often do not require a payment until after the New Year.) Most vacation rentals need to be paid for before a vacationing party arrives and checks in.
Once on the island, visitors will pick up the keys to their property, as well as a check-in packet with area information, at their local property management office. The main Hatteras Island property management companies have offices in the tri-villages of Salvo, Waves and Rodanthe, Avon, Hatteras Village, or all of the above.
The great thing about renting a vacation home or condo through a Hatteras Island property management company is that if there's a problem with the accommodations, visitors can simply contact the local property management company. All Hatteras Island companies have trained housekeeping and maintenance staff who are local and readily available to address any issue with the property.

Popular Hatteras Island Vacation Rental Amenities

Hatteras Island is known for its exceptional collection of vacation rentals. In recent years, as new properties have been built to cater to modern and luxurious tastes, many of the homes on the island offer a suite of amenities that make staying at a vacation rental similar to staying at a five-star resort.

Depending on the size of the home, vacation rental guests can search for and / or expect any of the following amenities.

Waterfront Access - Soundfront properties often feature a private beach or watersports access, while canalfront vacation homes may have a private dock for crabbing, fishing, or launching a skiff or kayak. On the other side of the shoreline, a majority of oceanfront properties on Hatteras Island either offer a private beach boardwalk or path, or easy access to a community beach access point. In either locale, soundfront or oceanfront, vacationers will typically enjoy easy access to the Hatteras Island waterfront.
Private Pools - A number of larger homes that are 4-5 bedrooms or more offer private pools for their guests. Pools are typically available from Late April until late September or early October, and pool heat is often offered at an additional fee for shoulder season spring and fall guests.
Hot Tubs - Many vacation rentals offer hot tubs year-round for patrons, and hot tubs are traditionally found on picturesque decks with pretty waterfront views, or at covered / protected locales on the property, to make them easy to enjoy on a rainy day
Game Rooms / Theater Rooms / Media Rooms / Dens-Many of the modern vacation rentals which were constructed within the past decade or so feature elaborate game rooms or theater rooms to make at-home entertaining as enticing as going out on the town. Theater rooms can feature stadium seating, projection TVs, black-out lighting conditions or all the above, while game rooms typically feature pool tables, foosball / air hockey tables, wet bars, and / or sitting areas. These amenities essentially give families a second living area, as well as a perfectly entertaining escape during a rainy day on Hatteras Island.
Wi-Fi / Screened Porches / Outdoor Showers / Grills / Fish Cleaning Stations - These amenities are common in the majority of Hatteras Island vacation rentals, regardless of size. The majority of cottages on the island have one or all of these attributes, and many property management companies require that the rentals they represent have a minimum of "amenities," which include grills, cookware, outdoor showers, or all of the above.

Considerations for renting a Hatteras Island Vacation Rental

To secure the best choice of accommodations, book early. Hatteras Island vacation rentals tend to fill up quickly, so visitors are advised to reserve their accommodations of choice as early as possible.
Most property management companies allow visitors to book a vacation rental up to 1 year in advance, and may allow current guests to have "first dibs" on their property for the following year. Properties are limited on the island, so take advantage of this early-booking option when possible to secure a stay on the island.
Rates for Hatteras Island vacations tend to fluctuate by season, with rates at their highest during the summer months, and at their lowest during the winter months. More than half of the vacation rentals on the island also close for the winter season, (which is generally considered as December through Easter.)
Many property management companies offer Travel Insurance, which protects guests in the event of a personal emergency or a regional emergency event like a hurricane. Travel Insurance is strongly recommended for visitors who are staying in the prime East Coast hurricane season months of August through November.
Most Property management companies also offer extra services like linens and towels provided, early check-ins / late check-outs, or a security deposit waiver. The security deposit waiver is strongly recommended for larger parties, and covers the leaseholder, or the guest who made the reservation, in case of accidental damage caused to the vacation rental home during a stay.
A number of vacation rentals on Hatteras Island are pet-friendly, allow weddings or corporate retreats, or are handicapped accessible. For more information on special requests or accommodations, visitors can simply call their property management company for information. All local Hatteras Island property management companies are staffed with friendly and knowledgeable vacation specialists or reservationists, who are happy to answer questions and help new visitors find their perfect accommodations.

About Hatteras Island Vacation Rentals

Popular Hatteras Island Vacation Rental Amenities

Considerations for renting a Hatteras Island Vacation Rental

Northern Beaches

Roanoke Island

Hatteras Island

Ocracoke Island

Outer Banks Map

Sun Realty

The Farmer's Daughter

Kitty Hawk Kites

Kitty Hawk Kites