Rented Cabin #23 (see NPS website) for 5 days in July 2015 - fits 6 and we had 3 - strongly recommend renting cabin with more capacity than renters - thankfully quiet in cabin area - many ants - matresses worn - due to height of bunks you can't sit on bed - rusty folding chairs - large plastic table - stove worked - shower/sinks/water pressure good - water only had slight limestone/shell taste (I'm from WI where drinking water tastes different than coastal states) - screened in porch a necessity - we didn't bring generator but made due without electricity - opened windows/porch door created enough breeze so cabin not hot - ice/gas/deisel only thing sold by cabins and souvenires/water only thing sold by lighthouse. Credit card should be used to make island purchases (not required but much appreciated), Back to cabin - it's a rough stay - just a step up from tent camping - did I mention ants? they're everywhere and there's a non-stop supply of them - must completely seal all food/drinks/toiletries from ants. Rented Kubota (we don't own 4-wheel drive) and took ferry from Davis - several people stopped us on island wanting to know where to rent Kubota - I recommend renting one (top speed 15-20 mph just so you know). From cabins to lighthouse it's about 12 miles on back road. Beach at lighthouse is on west island side - it's crowded but calm enough to swim. Kids claimed hike to top of lighthouse was worth it and pics were great. Best area for shelling is by rock jetty - if ramp closed due to birds/turtles, there's access through historic village (narrow paved road next to a bldg) - low tide in water about ankle to knee deep is where large whelks are found - couple sandollars found - weekends crowded at jetty. Saw several birds including endangered and chick. Never even saw a turtle nest sign. Saw dolphins on return ferry.

Sounds like a real adventure!

Would be interested to know your menu-packing list and how you got it (and you) 12 miles on a Kubota. Full of admiration!

Any Great White Sharks?

We had 2 coolers and left 1 in cabin and took one on kubota. Breakfast was cereal or pancakes...lunch away from cabin we had sandwiches andsnacks like canned fruit and cheese sticks and applesauce and Oreos. Spaghetti....sausage...noodles...brats...macnchees e..hamburger helper...walking tacos (canned chili over fritos)....salad. Took Kool-aid single serving packs. Precooked hamburger and brats. Best watertight way to keeps food in cooler is in canning jars.....water will get in any plastic container and any plastic bag. Minimal kitchenware needed.

Saw no sharks....no one allowed over knee deep....when fishermen came to rock jetty we got out of water

Thanks, very interesting.

The NC newspapers seemed surprised that all the shark attacks were in shallow water, though it is old news. Knee deep, probably okay. Waist deep? Cue music from "Jaws".

You were wise to stay away from fishermen!