For A Raw Coastal Escape With Amazing Beaches and maritime history.
The Outer Banks of North Carolina offers up a welcome relief from crowded vacation spots. In fact, there aren’t any cities on the Outer Banks, only over 100 miles of wide-open shoreline, seaside villages, and a mix of towns filled with personality and fascinating history. And there is plenty of history. Aviators Orville and Wilbur Wright took their famous first flight at Kill Devil Hills, the pirate Blackbeard fought his last battle at Ocracoke and the mysterious Lost Colony disappeared (exactly where is anyone’s guess, but last seen on Roanoke Island near Manteo). Continue reading our Outer Banks Travel Guide to learn more.
But this chain of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina isn’t just for history buffs. Fishing, windsurfing and wildlife watching attract visitors, and there are roughly 3,000 shipwrecks you can explore by snorkel and scuba diving.
The Outer Banks is great for those looking to skip overly developed touristy towns and head straight for the unspoiled beaches. You won’t find big nightlife, but you will find an abundance of natural beauty. Beaches are more populated during the summer months, but with so many destinations spread out along the barrier islands, you likely won’t experience big crowds. Our Outer Banks Travel Guide provides you with everything to start planning your vacation!
Outer Banks Weather – When to Visit
The best time to visit the Outer Banks (or OBX) is from March to May or from September to November, when rates are lower with less crowds. Most visitors arrive during the summer months when the temperatures are the warmest. The temperatures stay relatively warm and humid, with average highs in the upper 80s in the summer, and dipping into the 40s and 50s during the winter months. During the off season some attractions, as well as restaurants and shops, may close or operate under more limited hours.
Beaches of the Outer Banks
The Southern Shores OBX Beaches
The town of Southern Shores has all the secluded charm of the neighboring Northern Outer Banks villages of Duck and Corolla, but with easy access to the busy central Outer Banks’ treasure trove of restaurants, shops and attractions. A combination of rich maritime forests, quiet residential beaches, and a handful of restaurants and shops, Southern Shores is an ideal vacation locale for families who want to be away from it all, but still remain close to the big Outer Banks attractions.
The Northern OBX Beaches
The area that’s just north of US Highway 158, which is only accessible by the two-lane NC Highway 12, is known as the “Northern Beaches.” Consisting of the towns of Corolla, Duck, the 4WD area of the Currituck Banks, and generally Southern Shores, this area is known for its isolation and upscale accommodations with a host of shops, restaurants, and other amenities.
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The Central OBX Beaches
The central OBX beach towns of Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, and Nags Head are the most popular areas of the Outer Banks, and are also the easiest to reach. Found in the heart of the Outer Banks, you will find plenty of public beach accesses in this area, as well as plenty of public parking areas, which are all situated along the “Beach Road” that hugs the ocean shoreline.
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Hatteras Island
Hatteras Island has of the most pristine shorelines along the North Carolina coastline – the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The National Seashore extends from the edge of Bodie Island all the way to the tip of Ocracoke Island, and encompasses every stretch of beach along the skinny barrier islands. Measuring roughly 50 miles from Bodie Island to Hatteras Inlet, you will find plenty of beaches to go around thru the communities and along the side of NC Highway 12 – the only road that extends through the island.
Okracoke Island
If you crave remote beaches, then you will love Ocracoke Island – the southernmost portion of the Outer Banks. It is hard to reach, but has 15 miles of isolated shoreline. It’s only accessible by a public ferry, and is home to a small 4-square mile community – Ocracoke Village. You’ll find miles of beaches, and refreshingly, not much else.
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Best Outer Banks Restaurants
Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar $11 – 30
Delight in watching hot oysters come hissing right out of the steamers. Order them steamed, fried, or slurp them down raw…no matter how you like your oysters, Awful Arthur’s has it covered. Telephone: 252-441-5955 Web: Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar
Jolly Roger $11 – 30
The Jolly Roger is open year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and they offer something for everyone. Breakfast favorites include the Eggs Benedict, pancakes and home fries, all made in-house from fresh ingredients. Great lunch selections include burgers, NY diner sandwiches and even meatloaf. For dinner the restaurant offers a wide variety, from Italian, fresh seafood, steaks & prime rib. Telephone: 252-441-6530 Web: Jolly Roger
CookShak Fried Chicken $11 – 30
There’s an art to doing a home-style chicken dinner right in the South. You need a chicken fried to golden, crispy perfection obviously. Then you need the appropriate fixings, like mac and cheese and coleslaw. Finally, you need that familial setting of passing the plates, helping yourself and fighting for the very last piece. And they have this art down at The Cookshak Fried Chicken – in fact, it’s their specialty. Telephone: 252-261-1156 Web: Cookshak Fried Chicken
Max’s Italian Restaurant $11 – 30
Most of the menu items are crafted right in the restaurant, including mouth-watering meatballs, lasagna, manicotti and house-roasted Italian sausage, homemade mozzarella sticks. fresh-pressed paninis and a variety of oven-baked subs. as well as homemade soup, fresh salads and scrumptious desserts. Telephone: 252-261-3113 Web: Max’s Italian Restaurant
Black Pelican $11 – 30
They serve delicious lunch and dinner specials. Fresh seafood, steaks, vegetarian dishes, sandwiches and wood oven pizzas are some of the items offered on our menu. The Black Pelican also has a menu designed just for kids. Telephone: 252-261-3171 Web: Black Pelican
Best Outer Banks Tours & Activities
Best Outer Banks Nightlife
The Brewing Station
This Kill Devil Hills brewery relies on wind power to fuel the craft beer operation. Featuring a great selection of unique brews that will appeal to every kind of beer drinker, the Brewing Station in OBX is a favorite of locals and visitors alike! Telephone: 252-449-2739 Web: The Brewing Station
Turner’s High Moon Bar
They are a Live Music Centered Bar & Restaurant with The Largest Tap Beer & Fine Spirits Selection on Hatteras Island. Offering yummy food, snacks, cocktails and locally brewed beer for Dine in or Take out. Telephone: 252-995-6666 Web: Turner’s High Moon Bar
Barefoot Bernie’s
The bright and welcoming family environment is filled with vintage travel posters and tropical decorations, giving diners the sensation of being on a tropical island. Colorful walls and unique light fixtures create the perfect ambience for a tasty meal and a tropical cocktail. Telephone: 252-261-1008 Web: Barefoot Bernie’s
Mike Dianna’s Grill Room
Welcome to Mike Dianna’s Grill Room, home to the finest seafood, USDA prime beef, amazing live entertainment and more! Head over for brunch or dinner with them in Corolla on the beautiful Outer Banks. Telephone: 252-453-4336 Web: Mike Dianna’s Grill Room
Best Outer Banks Hotels
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What a beautiful guide to the Outer Banks, Leahrae! I’ve always wanted to visit North Carolina’s coast, especially after seeing pictures of those gorgeous, wide-open beaches. My husband and I are thinking about going in September, and I’m having trouble deciding between staying in Duck or somewhere on Hatteras Island. We love peaceful beaches, exploring little coastal towns, and finding good seafood restaurants. Would Hatteras be too remote for a first visit, or would Duck be a better home base?
Hi Amanda! September is a wonderful time to explore the Outer Banks! The summer crowds have usually started thinning out, but the weather can still be warm enough for enjoying the beach. Both areas are beautiful, but for your first visit, I’d probably recommend Duck. You’ll have peaceful beaches, charming shops, restaurants, and easy access to nearby Corolla and the central Outer Banks attractions. Hatteras Island is absolutely gorgeous, especially if you love untouched shorelines and a slower pace, but everything is more spread out. You could always plan a day trip south to explore Cape Hatteras National Seashore and see the famous lighthouse. Just keep an eye on the weather since September falls during hurricane season. Whichever you choose, I think you’ll fall in love with the Outer Banks! Enjoy your trip! 🌴
The Outer Banks always looks amazing, but I get a little overwhelmed trying to figure out which part of it would actually fit my trip best. If you only had a few days and wanted mostly beautiful beaches, a relaxed vibe, and maybe a little history mixed in, would you stay in the central area around Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills, or go farther south toward Hatteras or Ocracoke? Also, do you think the Outer Banks is best for a laid-back beach week, or is it still worth it for a shorter 3 or 4 day trip?
If I only had 3 or 4 days, I’d probably stay in the central Outer Banks around Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, or Kitty Hawk for a first trip. That part of the OBX makes it easy to mix beach time with a few of the big sights, restaurants, and historic stops without spending too much of your short trip driving. I think it gives you the best balance if you want a little bit of everything. If your main goal is a quieter, more remote beach trip, then Hatteras or Ocracoke are wonderful, but I’d personally save those for a longer stay when you can really enjoy the slower pace.
And yes, I do think the Outer Banks is still worth it for a shorter trip, especially if what you want is a laid-back beach getaway rather than a packed sightseeing schedule. A full week is ideal if you want to explore multiple islands and beach towns, but even a long weekend works well if you pick one area and don’t try to do the whole OBX in one go.
This makes the Outer Banks sound like such a peaceful escape, especially compared to more crowded beach spots. I love the mix of history and those wide-open beaches, it feels like there’s so much to explore without feeling rushed. Ocracoke and Hatteras Island really stand out for that quieter, more remote vibe. It also sounds perfect for just unplugging and enjoying nature for a few days. Would you recommend staying in one area or moving between a couple of islands?
Staying in one area works well if you want a relaxed trip with minimal driving, especially in places like Corolla or Hatteras where everything feels spread out and peaceful. Moving between a couple of islands gives you a broader experience, letting you enjoy both the livelier central areas and the more remote stretches of shoreline.