Monday, August 12th - Friday, August 16th, head to the waterfront docks of Manteo at Pirate's Cove to take part in one of the biggest offshore fishing tournaments of the year at the annual Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament. This event is free to observers. Participant fees can be found on the event website/registration form ($1000-$5000 depending on the number of participants).

Now celebrating its 41st year, the Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament attracts the best anglers from all across the East Coast to the Outer Banks for a full multiple-day fishing tournament, where landing the big catches can result in some amazing cash prizes. From the Pirate’s Cove Marina, teams of anglers will launch to the Gulf Stream to target marlin, meat fish, and other catches that swarm in the warm offshore waters.

Each day ends with celebrations along the waterfront, and the alluring cash prize. Join in the fun or just swing by the docks in the afternoon to see the day’s impressive tallies, and take part in one of the most impressive fishing tournaments on the Outer Banks.

At the end of the tournament, more than six figures of cash is given to top finishers in a number of categories including the Overall Top Boat, an Overall Jackpot, a Blue Marlin category and the heaviest meat fish overall. 

Surface and Undercurrents: Influences from Iceland, the Arctic & the Anthropocene is a collaborative group exhibition that explores environmental themes. Ideas for this exhibit were developed during the artists' retreat in Iceland during the summer of 2023. The exhibition features work by North Carolina artists Lisa LeMair, Christina Weisner, Chistopher Proto, Emily Holmes, Wendy Allen, Scott Solter and Ashley Paskov. Surface and Undercurrents: Influences from Iceland, the Arctic & the Anthropocene will be on display in the Courtroom Gallery August 2-31, 2024.

There will be an opening reception on Friday, August 2 from 6pm to 8pm, where visitors can meet Lisa LeMair, Christina Weisner, Chistopher Proto, Emily Holmes, Wendy Allen, Scott Solter and Ashley Paskov and view their work.

The opening reception is during downtown Manteo's First Friday festivities, and is free and open to the public.

In August the Vault Gallery will feature porcelain pieces by Pamela Lassiter. Pamela's work is inspired by the natural environment of her home on Hatteras Island. The body of work in this exhibition is a reflection of the life and patterns that she sees on the island. The various organic forms and processes develop from studying the oceans movements. Pamela is fascinated by the tide as it ebbs and flows creating dynamic patterns in the sand. These patterns are interpreted through a process of carving and adding coils to wheel thrown and altered or hand built forms.

Sea and Sand will be on display in the Vault Gallery August 2-31, 2024.

​There will be an opening reception on Friday, August 2 from 6pm to 8pm, where visitors can meet Pamela and view her work.The opening reception is during downtown Manteo's First Friday festivities and is free and open to the public.​ 

Come to the Currituck Maritime Museum for a 30 minute, in-depth, presentation titled Mystery of Art and Architecture of Whalehead at the Currituck Maritime Museum. This program is highly recommended for art and architecture enthusiasts. Admission is free for both the Currituck Maritime Museum and presentation. However, seating is limited to first come, first serve availability with room for about 25 people. After the presentation, enjoy the museum exhibits and static displays. This program repeats weekly on Thursdays from 10:30 am - 11:00 am until Sept 12.

Come learn about the US Life-saving Service. Hear true and amazing stories of daring shipwreck rescues from the Graveyard of the Atlantic by “America's Forgotten Heroes." Did you know the most highly awarded maritime rescue in US history occurred right here on the Outer Banks, August 16, 1918? Local historian, Keeper James Charlet, will give a 15 minute presentation full of facts at the Hatteras Lighthouse Pavillon. This will be the last set of presentations for the season (3:30 pm and 4:00 pm).