Avon is the island's supply hub — the town with a proper grocery store, restaurants, and surf shops, roughly 42 miles from Nags Head. That makes it the default base for a week on Hatteras: close enough to Buxton's lighthouse and surf, stocked enough that you're not driving an hour for provisions. It's also home to Island Creek, a soundfront neighborhood well known in the wind-sports crowd.
Best for
- First Hatteras trips
- Families wanting amenities
- Longer stays
- A central base for exploring the whole island
Not ideal for
- Travelers wanting the remotest possible feel
- Big-group houses (inventory skews mid-size)
Access & character note: Avon has the only full-size grocery store on this stretch of the island — a real logistical advantage over the tri-villages to the north.
See what's actually available in Avon right now.
Search Avon rentals →