Visiting the Outer Banks

Hatteras Lighthouse.

Visitors to coastal North Carolina’s Outer Banks have many opportunities to learn about the history of the USS Monitor and the National Marine Sanctuary System. The location of the shipwreck does not allow for regular visitation, and permits are required to dive on the site. If you’re planning a vacation to the Outer Banks a great first stop is the Outer Banks Welcome Center to learn about the history of the area known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic.  The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, The North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort and the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum each have exhibits highlighting the Monitor’s history and even her present status as an artificial reef. You might also check out the historic coastal lighthouses of the Outer Banks, including the Hatteras Lighthouse, managed by the National Park Service.