The Outer Banks offer many different types of beaches and areas in the chain of barrier islands. Locals love living here, and visitors come to see why; the panoramic water views and beautiful beaches make it a popular destination. Some spots are more lonely and quiet away from the activity. Find a spot that suits your style with this helpful vacation guide to Outer Banks beaches.
Northern Beaches
North of US Highway 158 is the Northern Beaches. This area consists of Duck, Corolla, and Southern Shores and a 4WD area for vehicles to explore the beaches. More desolate and away from the main drag, so to speak, this area is quieter and has upscale shops, restaurants, and space to have a quiet time enjoying the sights and sounds.
Carova, as a region, hosts the 4WD area and is hard to get to but well worth the adventure. Experience natural beauty and fewer crowds. Home to the Corolla Wild Horses who freely wander the beaches and area, it is possible to see them up close and marvel at one of the only areas in the United States to see horses in the wild near the coast. Take advantage of rentals nearby or in surrounding areas. Corolla is an upscale community with wide beaches and beautiful properties that are private residences or part of communities with pools, tennis courts, and spas. Enjoy shopping, restaurants, galleries, and more in this area. Spend time exploring after a day at the beach.
Duck is a coastal town surrounded by woods on the sound side and offers a great day trip from other Outer Banks communities or a quiet respite for a long vacation away from crowds. Duck boasts unique art galleries, coffee shops, boutiques, and quieter beaches. Duck Town Park is on the sound side with a long boardwalk that goes along the shoreline of Currituck Sound. Quaint cottages line the area, along with oceanfront homes that rival any mansion. Beach access is more limited here, so look into renting a vacation home if you want to spend time on the beaches in Duck. Have a furry four-legged friend? Duck beaches are widely known to be pet-friendly, allowing dogs off-leash to roam the surf and sand freely. Be sure to book pet-friendly accommodation.
Southern Shores offers the best of both worlds from central and northern OBX. Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills are nearby, but it still offers quiet, somewhat isolated space to enjoy the beach. Local golf courses are nearby, and beach homes are widely available. Visitors can enjoy a natural wooded area with bike-friendly trails and walking paths. Limited parking is available to guests or residents. Larger areas require permits as there is not any public beach access, but you can still enjoy them if you have permits.
Central Beaches
Smack in the middle of the action is some amazing beach towns from Nags Head to Kill Devil Hills. These are the popular spots most sought after by visitors. They boast public beach access and parking areas along ‘Beach Road.’
Kitty Hawk has smaller shorelines with seasonal lifeguards and patrols during high season. The Kitty Hawk Pier is unparalleled for fishing and public access to enjoy. Shelling is a popular pastime for visitors and locals. Known for surfing, look for people running with boards out into the beautiful surf to catch a wave. Surfline offers surf reports and weather forecasts for keen surfers. Also, check out a fishing guide for ideas on where to fish near the beach or off the pier.
Kill Devil Hills is a busy beach spot with parking and access points. Here visitors will enjoy wide open beachfront space to spread out and take a walk or enjoy the views. Fishermen can hit Avalon Pier for a great catch or visit shops and plazas along Beach Bypass and surrounding areas. This is also home to the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Get the most out of your visit by finding a beach access map to locate the best entry points and where to park. Look for signs in the area that also detail where best to park. Lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Memorial to Labor Day. Lifeguards will also freely roam the shoreline. Be mindful of posted daily water conditions to look for rip currents. These frequently occur in OBX when water comes from the sea down a small path around sandbars. They can pull people out to sea, so be mindful of knowing the risk before heading into the water.
Nags Head is a historical spot with many 1920s beach homes still around. A popular spot to hang out, the beaches have many access points and seasonal lifeguards. Enjoy 12 miles of beach and shore with natural beauty all around. The beaches are dog-friendly (leashed) and are a great place to spend a day. Check out two famous piers for fishing or enjoying the beach from up high, Nags Head Fishing Pier and Jennette’s Pier, with beautiful water views. When you want to get away from the sand, you’ll have access to climb the historic Bodie Island Lighthouse or walk nature trails. Jockey’s Ridge State Park is nearby, with go-kart tracks, mini golf, ice cream shops, and more.
South Nags Head is a quieter beach spot with a few rows of homes and little to no businesses. Great for beachgoers who want a quiet space to watch the tide roll in. Stop by Outer Banks Fishing Pier for a bar and grill or spot to make a catch.
Hatteras Island
Check out some of the most beautiful coastlines at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. From Bodie Island to Ocracoke Island, this stretch of sand is some of the best around. Explore nearly 50 miles of the beach area, including seven villages all over Hatteras Island. Enjoy some undeveloped beaches in Rodanthe, Salvo, Avon, and Frisco, or access the shoreline at public points. Many beach houses have private access, but public spots are posted along the area. Coquina Beach Day Use Area offers parking, showers, and restrooms, and Salvo Day Use Area provides picnic tables on the edge of Pamlico Sound with a path to the beach.
The Point is a famous beach on the island in the middle of the south and east-facing coasts. Accessible by 4WD, the Point has excellent fishing but may be closed seasonally for bird and turtle nesting. Visitors will enjoy excellent fishing here, but it probably isn’t as great a spot just for sitting on the beach as it is quite a hike to get to the shore, even with a 4WD permit.
Ocracoke Island
Remote beaches abound on Ocracoke Island. It is hard to reach at the southern end of OBX but offers 15 miles of beautiful, isolated shore. Accessible by public ferry, this island offers a small village community. Take a ferry from Hatteras Island (1-hour ride) or Swan Quarter and Cedar Island. Enjoy 4WD hire with permits and licensed vehicles. Popular beach access points include lifeguards stationed all around. Enjoy shelling, fishing, and enough surf and sand to spread out and enjoy. One of the top shelling destinations on the Eastern seaboard.
Things To Do And What You’ll Need
Equipment
Now that you have a great visitor’s guide to the Outer Banks beaches, it’s time to think about beach equipment. Just Beach Rentals has bikes, bodyboards, kayaks, chairs; you name it. They are located in Corolla and Kill Devil Hills and offer delivery from Corolla to Nags Head. Book online ahead of time for busy seasons. Other local companies will provide equipment if the house you rent doesn’t have it or you don’t bring your own. Watersports companies will also rent their equipment. Rentals help save time and money for visitors who want to get into the water for short periods or on a quick tour. Most, if not all, places on the island will deliver to you.
Tours
Book tours directly with operators or have some help from a planner book in advance. Lessons and tours are great ways to experience activities and things that will make the trip fun and should be booked ahead to avoid being disappointed at the ticket counter in the busy season.
Horseback Riding
Hop onto a horse and ride along the beach. Guided tours last a few hours and offer all skill levels a chance (of a certain age) to enjoy the shoreline. Check age requirements before bringing kids.
Surfing
Every village and most popular beaches will have surfing instruction, classes or even camps. Open for visitors to try a 1-2 hour tutorial from a pro or enjoy an immersive camp experience. Get up on the board in no time.
Stand Up Paddling
Watersports companies will offer stand-up paddle boards, lessons, rentals, or tours. Check out the local companies for ideas on when and where to experience the barrier islands from a SUP.
Kayaking
Kayaking is fun for the whole family. With all the nature preserves and trails, there are plenty of options for eco-tours to explore the area with family or by yourself.
Swimwear
If visitors need gear, they can find it all at many of the shops on the island. Rent ahead or pop in for whatever merchandise is required. Anything and everything can be purchased on the island if needed.
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