Your Guide to the Outer Banks
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The Outer Banks is a 100-mile long chain of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina known for its wide sandy beaches, lighthouses, and historical landmarks.
Our islands are a popular vacation destination, with a range of activities available including wild horse tours, hang gliding, kiteboarding, fishing, and lighthouse climbing. The Outer Banks are also home to the Wright Brothers National Memorial, commemorating the first successful powered airplane flight. The region has a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and mild winters.
Vacationing on the Outer Banks
Unlike many beach destinations, lodging options on the Outer Banks are dominated by vacation rental homes. Part of the charm of the Outer Banks is the unique experience each town offers. You can view our overview of each town on our Outer Banks Vacation Planning Guide. Virtually every town offers waterfront rental homes and a great assortment of activities & attractions.
Vacation Rentals - We have a list of the best vacation rental companies here. There are several thousand vacation rental homes in the Outer Banks. In fact, vacation rental homes are the most popular accommodation. We have indexed thousands of rental homes that you can't find on any of the national search sites.
Hotels - The Outer Banks also has several hotels (many oceanfront) from Corolla to Ocracoke. Check out our list here.
Campgrounds - Camping opportunities exist on Hatteras Island in the tri-villages, Frisco, and Buxton, and on Ocracoke Island.
Summer is the Outer Banks'' most popular season, but there are great reasons to visit all year.
Spring - April brings a warmer average 69 degree temperatures. Seasonal shops, restaurants and activity companies begin opening. Vacation rental homes are still a bargain, with lower rates until late May. The ocean remains brisk at around 60 degrees. Bird watching and fishing are popular activities in the early Spring.
Summer - High season - the most popular time of year. Book your accommodations early! As school lets out, families fill the Outer Banks for Summer vacation. Most vacation rental homes rent weekly and turn over on weekends. All restaurants, shops and activities are running full schedules, and the area is abuzz with activity. The #1 Outer Banks attraction is the beach, but it isn't densely crowded like hotel-heavy resort areas. Average high temperatures hover in the mid to high 80's. The ocean is refreshing, but not cold in the upper 70's.
Fall - September and October are fantastic in the Outer Banks. Most shops and restaurants are open. Temperatures hover in the mid 70's. Vacation rental homes and hotel pricing drops. Nothing is crowded. This is a popular time for wind surfers and kiteboarders, as well as nature enthusiasts and visitors seeking a relaxing retreat.
Winter - Winter is perfect for those wanting relaxation, seclusion and quiet. Core amenities like grocery stores remain open. The central towns of Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head offer the best opportunities for dining, shopping and entertainment. Carova, Corolla, Duck, Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands offer the most solitude. Hotel and rental home rates are generally the least expensive. Expect high temperatures in the mid 50's.
The Outer Banks offers activities for everyone. Here is a brief list of some of our favorites.
The Beach - The beach is the #1 attraction for Outer Banks visitors. Check out our Beaches Guide, Driving on the beach guide, and beach regulations guide.
Events - The Outer Banks is home to several music festivals, running events, water sports competitions, fishing tournaments, foodie festivals and parades. Check out our events calendar.
Amusements - Spend the day at a water park. Try a great miniature golf course. Play video games and sports. Try a rope course. Go karting.
Educational Activities - Learn to surf, wind surf, kiteboard, sail, paddleboard, kayak or ride a horse. Take a tour to see the wild Spanish mustangs of Carova. See dolphins in their natural habitat. Visit the NC aquarium to learn about local aquatic life.
Tours - Have a local expert show you around. See wild horses or dolphins. Kayak to a wildlife refuge. Ride a horse along the beach. Parasail above the Currituck Sound. Try a deep sea fishing charter.
Parks - Climb a lighthouse, visit the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education and see the sunset at Historic Corolla Park. Spend an afternoon climbing dunes or hang gliding at Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head. Tour the beautiful Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo. Visit the grounds of the Wright Brother's National Memorial. Walk along the Currituck sound on the famous Duck Town Park boardwalk.
Fishing piers - Take a walk out over the ocean from one of the Outer Banks fishing piers. Try your luck with some pier fishing.
Lighthouses - Climb one of the Outer Banks' famous lighthouses. Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Bodie Island Lighthouse and Cape Hatteras Lighthouse all offer seasonal self-guided climbing tours.
Spend time in nature - We recommend the Elizabeth Gardens, Jockey's Ridge State Park, Pea Island Wildlife Refuge, and the boardwalk at the Currituck Banks Coastal Estuarine Reserve in Corolla.
Learn the local history - Great spots include the Wright Brother's National Memorial, Outer Banks History Center, Roanoke Island Festival Park, Fort Raleigh, Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station, Frisco Native American Museum, one of the local lighthouses, the Club at Whalehead and the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras Village.
Shop - The Outer Banks is home to hundreds of charming, boutique shops. Find that special item you can't find anywhere else. Highlights include Timbuck II in Corolla, the Waterfront Shops in Duck, and Outlets Nags Head.
Eat Fresh and Local - Many Outer Banks seafood restaurants serve today's local catch. It doesn't get any fresher. And don't miss out on our local NC produce. Or, have it delivered to your rental home. You're sure to have an unforgettable meal.
For your rental home - Some rental homes include linens. Others do not. Check to see whether you'll need to bring your own bedding and towels. As for general supplies, we recommend packing (or buying locally upon arrival) soap, toilet paper, paper towels, food, snacks and condiments to get started. We also recommend a laptop or tablet so you can keep coming back to OuterBanks.com for more great ideas.
For the Beach - Check out our list of favorite beach umbrellas, carts and favorite beach games. If you are going to drive on the beaches, check out our 4x4 driving on the beach guide.
For everybody - Don't forget to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, a camera and your sense of adventure! Also, don't forget to check out our coupons page. Print or bookmark several offers and save money during your visit.
Don't bring it.. RENT it!
- Multiple equipment rental companies offer everything from bicycles, kayaks, carts, strollers, umbrellas, beach chairs, golf carts, grills, surf boards, body boards, paddleboards, linens, towels, and more!Are you looking for filming location information on the popular Outer Banks series by Netflix? Although Outer Banks is set in a coastal Outer Banks town, it isn't filmed on the Outer Banks. Most of Netflix's filming locations for the series are in the Shem Creek and Mount Pleasant areas of South Carolina, adjacent to Charleston.
In the waters off the coast of North Carolina lies a world of adventure and competition brought vividly to life by the TV series "Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks." This captivating show, an offshoot of National Geographic's highly successful "Wicked Tuna," takes viewers into the heart of North Carolina's offshore fishing industry where skilled fishermen compete for the ocean's most prized giant bluefin tuna.
"Wicked Tuna Outer Banks" is a gripping narrative of man versus man & nature. The series showcases the challenges faced by fishermen as they navigate the often treacherous waters of the Atlantic. This isn't just fishing; it's a battle of endurance, skill, and strategy, and experience against fellow fishermen and the raw power of the sea.
The show features a diverse fleet, each with its unique character and crew, ranging from seasoned veterans to eager young newcomers. The captains, with their deep-seated knowledge of the ocean and its inhabitants, become the central personalities. They guide their crews through highs and lows, storms and calms, all in pursuit of bluefin tuna.
Read more about Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks here.
OuterBanks.com is the official website of the Outer Banks Visitors Guide Magazine. We're excited to share the best of the Outer Banks with your family!
July 15, 2025
(+ more dates)Enjoy an opportunity to load up on arms of fresh produce and some distinctively unique crafts with a visit to this sunny farmers market in the heart of Hatteras Island. The Avon’s Farmer’s Market features several dozen visitors from around the area that specialize in homemade goodies, and is a unique addition to the summer landscape that will attract visitors of all good tastes.
July 16, 2025
(+ more dates)Join us on Wednesdays this summer for Mustang Mornings at the Farm. Beginning May 28, the Betsy Dowdy Equine Center will be open to the public from 10 am – 2 pm. Visit the farm on the mainland in Grandy and meet the rescued Banker horses currently in our care on the walking tour, where you can spend time with our staff. Attend a free movie screening of The Secret of Corolla, a 32-minute documentary on the Banker mustangs, the culture, and lifestyle of the island. There will be a Q&A directly after the screening with the CWHF staff.
July 17, 2025
Surfing For Autism is an Autism Spectrum Disorder awareness event that uses the beauty of the Outer Banks to provide children with an amazing experience and an opportunity to ride the waves.
July 17, 2025
(+ more dates)Visitors can take a step back in time and learn how the heroes of the original US Life-Saving Service performed their daring rescues and everyday duties through this special live demonstration that’s held on the grounds of the oceanside Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station.
July 18, 2025
Come join us for a day filled with fun, excitement, and competition in the 4X4 area of Carova Beach. Watch as our home-made sponsors' donkeys compete in the Donkey Derby and browse through unique handcrafted items at the Craft Fair. There will be delicious food, music, and plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Plus you'll be supporting the Carova Beach Volunteer Fire & Rescue while having a great time with fans of The Northern Outerbanks. Mark your calendars and don't miss out on this unforgettable family event! The event is free to enter. Tickets for purchase of food, voting and door prizes are available online through the fire department t-shirt website or at the event - all proceeds go to the CBVF&R organization. Note, this is in the 4-wheel drive access portion of the beach. There is free parking at the Carova Fire Station for the event. There is no parking allowed on the beach without a permit.
July 22, 2025
(+ more dates)Enjoy an opportunity to load up on arms of fresh produce and some distinctively unique crafts with a visit to this sunny farmers market in the heart of Hatteras Island. The Avon’s Farmer’s Market features several dozen visitors from around the area that specialize in homemade goodies, and is a unique addition to the summer landscape that will attract visitors of all good tastes.
Find your perfect
We are the only Authorized Shipping Center on the OBX for FedEx, UPS and DHL. Come to OBX Shipping Center for all your shipping and office needs. We offer Notary services, copies, faxing, laminating, among other office services. You do the shopping… and we'll do the shipping!
Sound Feet Shoes is family owned and operated. Sound Feet has been in the retail shoe business for over 72 years, opening their first store in 1953. They provide the best customer service and are the only Outer Banks’ area full service shoe store since 1987. Now, the family owned business boasts eight stores in the region, including two outlets. Their shoe specialists can help you find the right fit and comfort for your family’s needs.
For more than 30 years, Resort Realty has been providing unforgettable Outer Banks vacations. From Corolla to Hatteras Island, Resort Realty offers nearly 550 Outer Banks vacation homes that range from cozy 1-bedroom condos to exquisite 13-bedroom luxury estates. Whether you’re counting down to a beloved family vacation, getting away for a long weekend, or planning a special event, our homes represent a variety of lifestyles and locations, with amenities and furnishings such as elevators, private pools and gourmet kitchens to more simple pleasures like wraparound porches, dune-top gazebos, and oceanfront hammocks made for afternoon naps.
Black Pelican oceanfront restaurant is one of the Outer Banks’ premier restaurants serving lunch and dinner daily. Black Pelican is where you can enjoy fresh seafood, steaks, vegetarian dishes, sandwiches and some of the barrier island’s best wood-fired pizzas complete with a beautiful ocean view from the dining rooms and outdoor deck. The restaurant is big enough to handle large parties, but the setting is intimate enough for a cozy date.
SugarLand OBX, nestled in the Outer Banks, is a whimsical candy store offering a colorful world of sweets, treats, and nostalgic experiences. It blends modern innovation with timeless charm, featuring handcrafted ice cream sundaes, cotton candy, and unique souvenirs, creating a joyful space for families to make cherished memories together. Come in a indulge yourself!
Since 2005, Outer Banks Blue has delivered exceptional vacations for OBX visitors. Our family-owned and locally managed rental company focuses on service and promises “a relaxing experience with a local touch.” Turn your dream vacation into a date on the calendar by choosing from 250+ meticulously maintained rental houses. Give us a call at (252) 255-1220 with any questions or for assistance in finding the perfect vacation home. Plan your next family vacation with Outer Banks Blue and discover Blue Ribbon Customer Service!
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