Pamlico Sound, a body of water on the coast of North Carolina. Its greatest length is 75 miles (120 km), and its width varies from 8 to 30 miles (13 to 48 km). Pamlico is connected at its northern end with Croatan and Roanoke sounds, and at the southern end with Core Sound. It is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a series of narrow, sandy islands (or bars). Most of these islands are part of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Cape Hatteras is at the southeastern point of the islands. The Pamlico and Neuse rivers empty into the sound.