Rental Homes   Hotels   Activities   Restaurants   Shopping   Real Estate   Coupons   Events   Weddings
Vacation Rentals Outer Banks newcomers are often surprised at the number and variety of weekly vacation rentals throughout the beaches, from Carova to Ocracoke Island. Vacation rentals are, in fact, the predominant accommodations available to vacationers, and visitors will find that the sheer number of rentals available allows them to find an ideal retreat to fit their Outer Banks crew, from quiet condo complexes to brightly colored oceanfront sand castles.
Craving some fresh local fare? Outer Banks restaurants are serving tasty meals for takeout and delivery. Check out our list of local restaurants offering excellent local food.
Oceanfront Vacation Rentals The prime reason why vacationers have been traveling to the Outer Banks for decades is the simple allure of the beach, and oceanfront vacation rentals provide visitors with a front row seat to all the Atlantic action.
Featured Local Businesses We love to highlight some of the best and most interesting Outer Banks restaurants, shops, attractions and activities. Read on to discover some of our favorites!
Jockey's Ridge State Park Jockey's Ridge State Park is an unmistakable landmark for Nags Head vacationers and virtually everyone passing through along the main beach bypass, US 158. This park is marked by its towering sand dunes, which reach 80' - 100' feet tall and look more at home in a vast dessert than in a coastal beach town. These dues are barren, and made up of nothing but Outer Banks sand, providing an incredible playground for hang gliders, sand boarders, and anyone who doesn't mind a long hike and some incredible island-spanning views.
Ghost Crabs and Ghost Crabbing Interested in the local Outer Banks nightlife? Head to the beach. One of the most popular after-dark activities on the OBX beaches is ghost crab hunting, and all a prospective OBX Hunter needs to participate is a flashlight and a love of the great outdoors.
Beach Nourishment on the Outer Banks The Outer Banks coastline is beautiful, but it is also incredibly fragile. Storms, high winds and tidal changes all contribute to beach erosion. In an effort to restore and preserve this fragile coastline, Dare County—as well as the towns of Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head—will all perform important beach nourishment projects that are critical to the future of our communities in 2022.
Driving on the Beach One of the reasons so many vacationers flock to the Outer Banks is the thrill of driving on the beach, a rare privilege that few East Coast beach vacation destinations can offer. On the Outer Banks, beach driving enthusiasts will find miles of shoreline to explore, from the uninhabited shoreline along Ocracoke Island to the solely 4WD accessible beaches of Carova, north of Corolla.
Top 10 Things to do in Duck & Corolla, NC Check out our picks for the top 10 things to do in the towns of Duck and Corolla! Climb a lighthouse, relax on the beach, stroll through a park, dine on fresh fare, go boutique shopping, watch the sun set and more.
Outer Banks Dolphin Guide Like an unexpected gift, the sighting of dolphins along the Outer Banks delights and amuses many summer visitors. Many people view these chance encounters as a treasured highlight to a relaxing vacation and will happily spend hours observing the dolphins' antics. What few people realize is that they are likely viewing the same group of dolphins, day after day and summer after summer. Some bottlenose dolphins will spend their summers in the waters of the Outer Banks and then migrate south for the winter only to return again in the early summer the next year. This early migration has led some people to call them the "Retirees of the Sea."
Corolla's Wild Horses Visitors to the 4WD accessible beaches just north of Carova may experience a truly remarkable encounter with the area's oldest and most beloved residents, the Wild Colonial Spanish Mustangs. Stranded on the Outer Banks for centuries, but still enjoying the laid-back beach lifestyle, these feral and wild creatures are tolerant of the visitors who visit their beaches for the warm sun, cool waves, and miles of space.
Outer Banks Beaches Guide Find your perfect beach, amenities, beach guidelines, and more. The Outer Banks is unique in that every beach community along the skinny chain of barrier islands is distinctive, with its own enticing atmosphere and long list of perks. From lifeguard stations in some of the most popular spots in town, to desolate shorelines where visitors won’t see another person for miles, it’s easy to pick a beach destination along the Outer Banks that perfectly suits a family’s vacationing style.
Hang Gliding Flight takes many forms on the Outer Banks, from the thousands of migratory birds that travel along these barrier islands to and from their winter destinations, to aviation pioneers like the Wright Brothers who launched the world's first airplane off the sand dunes of Kill Devil Hills. Visitors can also experience the Outer Banks' inherent love of all things aerial by taking flight themselves with a day of Hang Gliding.
Outer Banks Piers When it comes to fishing and sightseeing, there is no better vantage point than one of the Outer Banks’ fishing piers, and luckily, visitors to the shoreline will have multiple options to choose from. Perched along the oceanfront in various regions of the barrier island coastline, piers along the OBX can offer a wide array of entertainment and activities, from on-site dining, to serving as a venue for unforgettable events.
Outer Banks Pets Guide Most vacationers consider their pet to be a part of their family, and as a result, thousands of Outer Banks visitors bring their furry family members in tow year after year. While planning a vacation that includes everyone in the family, including a beloved dog or other pet, can initially seem a little daunting, on the Outer Banks, it's actually an easy affair.
Ocracoke Island Lighthouse The Ocracoke Island Lighthouse may not be the most imposing of the Outer Banks lighthouses, but as North Carolina's oldest lighthouse in operation, (and the second oldest in the United States), it is certainly one of the most beloved. At just 65' ft. tall, it is by far the smallest lighthouse on the Outer Banks, but it still towers over the 4 square miles of Ocracoke Village, and its beacon can be spotted up to 14 miles into the Pamlico Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. Ocracoke Map it
Hatteras Inlet The southernmost attraction on Hatteras Island is Hatteras Inlet, and fishermen, mariners, beachcombers, and island lovers all know this area of the Outer Banks shoreline very well. Located approximately half mile past the edge of the populated Hatteras village and the Hatteras/ Ocracoke ferry docks, Hatteras Inlet provides plenty of outdoor entertainment and simply incredible scenery for those who pull up a beach chair, or are just passing through en route to Ocracoke Island or the Gulf Stream.
Northern Beaches 1. Carova 2. Corolla 3. Duck 4. Southern Shores 5. Kitty Hawk 6. Kill Devil Hills 7. Nags Head Roanoke Island 8. Manteo 9. Wanchese Hatteras Island 10. Rodanthe 11. Waves 12. Salvo 13. Avon 14. Buxton 15. Frisco 16. Hatteras Ocracoke Island 17. Ocracoke Outer Banks Map
7 Best Beach & Fishing Coolers 2022 Nothing beats an ice-cold beverage while relaxing on the beach. Nothing is worse than reaching for an icy drink and finding your cans swimming. Coolers are essential for family days on the sand. A good modern cooler will keep food and drinks fresh for days. In addition to beverages, fishermen rely coolers to keep bait fresh, and hopefully the catch of the day. Walk onto any beach or pier in North or South Carolina and you’ll see a plethora of cooler models and sizes. Cooler technology has advanced rapidly in modern years. Top-end hard-sided coolers can keep ice frozen for a week. Soft coolers are easier for one person to carry onto a beach, but can still keep food cool for days. Cooler materials and price points vary wildly, so we put together this guide with our recommendations for your coastal vacation.
Nags Head 5k / 1 Mile Beach Race June 23rd, 2022 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM more dates.... Nags Head Map it **Each week in 2022 has a unique Start Finish. Please see info below** The Nags Head Beach 5k Race, which is sponsored by Village Realty, is a fun run through the sand that takes joggers, walkers and runners on a cool course through the heart of scenic Nags Head.
OBX E-mail Newsletter SUBMIT Sign up to receive Outer Banks deals, news and information. We send our newsletter periodically in the off-season and weekly in Summer.
10% OFF ALREADY REDUCED CLEARANCE ITEMS MUST PRESENT THIS COUPON AT TIME OF PURCHASE. Expires 5/30/23 NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS. SOUNDFEET.COM print
Rainy Day Activities For a quick list of local businesses that offer great rainy day activities, check our Rainy Day Listings. Most Outer Banks vacations revolve around the great outdoors, with miles of undeveloped beaches to explore, dozens of watersports, and plenty of activities that thrive under the sun. But even a sunny vacation destination like the Outer Banks experiences a rainy day every now and then, so when the weather drives you off the beach, spend a day exploring these indoor and rainy-day friendly Outer Banks activities.
Corolla Wild Horse Fund Website $ Coupons Visit the Corolla Wild Horse Fund Museum and Store The Corolla Wild Horse Fund is the not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) charity that is responsible for the care and protection of the wild horses roaming the northernmost beaches of the Outer Banks. Our museum contains exhibits of the horses’ historic and cultural significance and our gift shop is filled with mission-related items that are sure to please horse lovers of all ages. Check our online events calendar for fun and educational activities from May through October. Open year-round. All proceeds benefit the Fund and its work to protect, conserve and responsibly manage the Corolla wild horses Corolla 252-453-8002 Map it
Nags Head Hammocks Website $ Coupons We love the outdoors at Nags Head Hammocks and handcraft our Classic Hammocks, Swings and Durawood Furniture to help you enjoy every moment. It all started in 1974 when our first hammocks were made in a little shop on The Outer Banks. Duck 252-261-1062 Map it Kill Devil Hills 252-441-6115 Map it Corolla 252-453-4611 Map it (More Locations)