The Outer Banks is known for its breathtaking sunsets. Watching sunsets is a popular activity for both locals and visitors, and there are plenty of photogenic sunset spots to create special memories. Here are the top places to watch a sunset on the Outer Banks.
Historic Corolla Park
We love watching the sun set from Historic Corolla Park. There really is no bad spot to view the sunset within the park, but our favorite spot is the soundside gazebo and soundfront kayak launch. This is a great spot for families, as the park offers plenty of space for kids to run, picnic areas, beautiful wooden footbridge, and picturesque Whalehead and Currituck Beach Lighthouse.
Duck Town Park Boardwalk
The Duck Town Park Boardwalk is a popular sunset spot. The boardwalk stretches along the Currituck Sound and offers beautiful Westerly views of the water and surrounding marshland. There are several benches where you can sit and view the sunset, but we recommend strolling along the length of the boardwalk to fully experience the beautiful views.
Duck Waterfront Shops
At the North end of the Duck Town Park Boardwalk, you'll find the Duck Waterfront Shops. This unique shopping center offers shopping with stunning views of the sound. Additionally, there are multiple restaurants and cafes with outdoor seating that offer a great spot to watch the sunset while enjoying a meal, drink, or dessert treat.
Jockeys Ridge State Park
Jockeys Ridge State Park is the tallest natural sand dune system in the Eastern United States, and it offers a unique vantage point for watching the sunset. From the top of the dunes, you can see for miles around, including the ocean, sound, and surrounding landscape. The natural beauty of the dunes attracts dozens of sunset seekers each evening. Jockey's Ridge State Park is a popular spot for sunset family photos. Kids love running and jumping in the soft sand of the dunes while parents watch the sun set over the sound. Make sure to arrive at least an hour before sunset to give yourself time for the ~20 minute hike to the top of the dunes. Jockey's Ridge offers an outdoor shower station to rinse off before returning to your car.
Bodie Island Lighthouse
The Bodie Island Lighthouse and park offers a beautiful backdrop at golden hour. We love watching the sunset from the park's wooden boardwalk and gazebo.
Kitty Hawk Kites in Rodanthe and REAL Watersports in Waves
Kitty Hawk Kites in Rodanthe is a popular spot for water sports, which makes it a great spot to watch stunning views of kiteboarders in front of the sunset over the Pamlico Sound. The outdoor seating area at the onsite restaurant, Good Winds Restaurant, is a great spot to grab a meal or a drink and watch the sunset.
Real Watersports is another popular spot for water sports, and it also offers a great vantage point for watching the sunset. The onsite restaurant, Watermen's Bar and Grill, has outdoor seating with views of the Pamlico Sound and stunning sunsets, windsurfers, and kiteboarders.
Salvo Day Use Area
The Salvo Day Use Area is a beautiful soundfront park that offers a great spot for watching the sunset over Pamlico Sound. This park is popular with watersports enthusiasts and has picnic areas & restrooms, making it a great spot for a beach day that ends with a beautiful sunset view.
Haulover Day Use Area
Located in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the Haulover Day Use Area is a secluded soundfront park that offers a great spot for watching the sunset and kiteboarders. The park has restrooms and a parking lot.
Cape Point
If you have a 4x4 vehicle and ORV permit, we highly recommend seeing the sunset from Cape Point. It offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean to the East and South. Cape Point is constantly changing with the tides, and often offers great shelling. This is a popular spot for fishing, so expect lots of surf fishermen.
Hatteras Landing
Hatteras Landing is a soundfront shopping and dining destination located in Hatteras Village. This popular spot offers multiple restaurants to grab a bite to eat as you view the sunset over the marina and local fishing boats.
