On Aug. 1, Cape Hatteras National Seashore staffers made additional adjustments to beach access in the Cape Point area.

That afternoon, additional pedestrian access was provided along the east-facing shoreline to allow for walking to the tip of Cape Point. The pedestrian-only access begins at approximately 0.61 miles south of Ramp 44. Beach drivers can travel 0.61 miles south of Ramp 44, exit vehicles and access the tip of Cape Point by walking a short distance.

A protection buffer remains in place within the interior of Cape Point to protect multiple least tern chicks.

The adjustments to beach access that were made Aug. 1 allow pedestrians to travel to additional beach areas, including the tip of Cape Point, without entering the least tern protection buffer.

An adjustment to beach driving access was also made. Beach drivers can now travel south of Ramp 44 and continue around the west-side of the least tern protection buffer to reach a portion of the south-facing beach, commonly referred to as “the hook” side of the point.

An interior area at Cape Point is still closed to all access for the protection of least tern chicks. There is no through access between the south-facing beach and the tip of Cape Point due to the protection buffer extending all the way to the water line.

Additional access will be provided when possible.

Visitors should pay close attention to the signs located south of Ramp 44.

The adjustments that were made Aug. 1 are subject to change due to the mobility of least tern chicks. For updated beach access information, visit go.nps.gov/beachaccess.

On Aug. 1, priority beach driving ramps started opening at 6:30 a.m. and closing at 9 p.m. All other ramps open at 7 a.m. and also close at 9 p.m.

The Cape Chronicle, a National Park Service publication, states that transition to night driving may happen as early as Sept. 15, if no sea turtle nests are along the driving routes.

Priority ramps are 2 and 4 on Bodie Island, 25, 27, 43, 44, 48 and 49 on Hatteras Island, and 70 and 72 on Ocracoke Island.

On Friday afternoon, the sea turtle nest count was 419. The previous record for a single season was 325 nests.

On Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge at the top Hatteras Island another 36 nests have been located.

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS AND EVENTS HERE.

RECENT HEADLINES:

Demolition of downtown Manteo properties to start next week

State releases findings on grain bin death