Outer Banks Stargazing: Capturing the Rare Aurora Borealis and the Night Sky on Hatteras Island
“Uh, excuse me for interrupting, but I just got an alert that the Northern Lights might be visible.”
Now that’s a sentence that will end dinner during a photography retreat. On the last evening of the Saltwater Retreat, our group of 7 was sitting around the dinner table, sharing memories and favorite moments from the week. Little did we know that every other moment was going to be overshadowed by this rare event. Our chairs scrapped the ground as we jumped to our feet to run out to the deck to take a look at the sky.
The Aurora Borealis “Northern Lights” over the Pamlico Sound off Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina
Against the darkness of the Pamlico Sound, which borders Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks, the sky was painted in vibrant pink, a color so unexpected that had I not been there to witness it, I would have been convinced it was fake. Squeals of delight mixed with the chaotic sound of each of us scrambling for our cameras and tripods.
Thanks to the undeveloped stretches of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the Outer Banks boasts some of the darkest skies on the East Coast. While photographers flock here year-round to capture the brilliant core of the Milky Way, meteor showers, and constellations, every once in a while, the sky gives us an entirely unexpected drama like the historic solar storms that brought the Northern Lights dancing right over our coastlines.
The rarity of seeing the aurora borealis in the Outer Banks cannot be overstated, and for most of us, it was our first, if not only, opportunity to see this phenomenon. The moments that followed were as much about the communal experience of witnessing this miracle as it was about taking photographs. The retreat was designed for sharing, and this event elevated that spirit completely. The group checked each other’s focus dials, offered advice on settings, and shouted encouragements when someone captured a particularly vivid exposure. Watching the group come together to be certain everyone captured these moments on camera was an incredible way to cement a week of community.
Everyone would leave the Outer Banks with full memory cards, but more importantly, with full hearts and unforgettable memories, thanks to a rare night when the sky turned pink.
Hoping to photograph the magic of the Outer Banks yourself? Join me for an intentional, inspiring experience at The Saltwater Retreat in Hatteras Island, North Carolina.
