NC coast visitors warned away from tiny ‘Shark Island’ after Outer Banks tides reveal sandbar

CAPE LOOKOUT, N.C. (WNCN) — Cape Lookout National Seashore officials are warning visitors of dangerous conditions at a very small North Carolina island on the Outer Banks.

Officials say a narrow sand bar has recently connected a spot called “Shark Island” with Cape Lookout during low tide.

In the past, officials say there have been incidents of visitors crossing and becoming trapped.

This has led to several rescues to safely remove them.

In 2023, Cape Lookout National Seashore officials said there were at least two incidents of visitors crossing to Shark Island and becoming trapped as the tide rises behind them.

Officials told visitors Monday not to cross the sandbar because shifting and converging currents in the water can be incredibly dangerous.

Cape Lookout is at the southern end of the Outer Banks, near Morehead City and Beaufort.

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