News Summary
The beach area in Buxton, North Carolina, has been closed again due to contamination problems from a former U.S. Navy site. Officials have identified petroleum odors and oil sheens in the water, prompting a closure extending from Buxton Village to Old Lighthouse Beach. Park authorities emphasize public safety as they continue to monitor the situation following previous improvements. The area recently reopened but has faced erosion and contamination concerns, leading to this latest public safety measure.
Buxton, NC – A beach area at the Outer Banks in Buxton, North Carolina, is facing yet another closure due to ongoing contamination issues stemming from a former U.S. Navy submarine monitoring site. Officials from Cape Hatteras National Seashore announced on Saturday, August 3, 2025, that a three-tenths-of-a-mile section of shoreline will be closed to the public. This decision comes after the detection of petroleum odors and light oil sheens on the water in the affected area.
The closure zone extends from the southern boundary of Buxton Village to the southernmost jetty at Old Lighthouse Beach. Park authorities are urging visitors to refrain from swimming or wading in the water from Old Lighthouse Beach to the northern boundary of Ramp 43, as safety remains a top priority.
This area recently experienced a previous closure from September 1, 2023, until June 12, 2025, while necessary site improvement work was conducted. The re-opening was expected to provide beachgoers access to the picturesque shoreline; however, recent strong surf has prompted significant beach erosion, which has exposed contaminated soils at the site, leading to the current closure.
A high surf advisory remains in effect for the Outer Banks until late Sunday night, with dangerous waves reaching heights of up to 8 feet. This advisory has raised concerns for the safety of local residents and tourists visiting the area. The conditions are particularly concerning given the contamination issues that have previously plagued the region.
The nearly 50-acre Buxton site was in operation by the U.S. Navy as a submarine monitoring station until its closure in 1982. Since that time, the site has been under scrutiny due to pollution issues. In response to the ongoing problems, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers initiated removal efforts targeting petroleum-contaminated soil and groundwater. These efforts took place during the fall of 2024 and winter of 2025, but recent developments indicate that more work may still be necessary.
In addition to the local authorities, both the Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, and the Coast Guard’s National Response Center have been notified regarding the contamination. Their engagement underlines the seriousness of the situation and the collaborative efforts needed to address the environmental concerns posed by the site.
While the closure is inconvenient for many who frequent this part of the Outer Banks, public safety is the primary concern for park officials. They continue to monitor the conditions closely and will update the public as more information becomes available regarding the safety of the beach area.
Visitors are advised to stay informed about the conditions of the beach and its waters, as well as to heed all public safety announcements from the National Seashore and local authorities. As residents and visitors alike look forward to returning to the beautiful beaches of Buxton, the ongoing efforts to remediate the contamination issues will remain a priority.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- WITN News: Update on Cape Hatteras National Seashore Beach Closure
- Wikipedia: Cape Hatteras
- WCTI News: Buxton Beach Closure
- Google Search: Buxton Beach closure
- 13 News Now: Cape Hatteras Beach Closure
- Google Scholar: Cape Hatteras contamination
- CBS17 News: Outer Banks Beach Closure
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Oil contamination beaches
- WITN News: Cape Hatteras National Seashore Closure
- Google News: Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Author: STAFF HERE OUTER BANKS WRITER
The OBX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOBX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in the Outer Banks, Dare County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, NC VIP Fishing Tournament, and NCBBA Red Drum Tournament. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and Outer Banks Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in tourism, retail, and hospitality that power the local economy such as Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks Mall, and Avon Fishing Pier. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HERERaleigh.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
