May22
Outer Banks, North Carolina
Salt air, full days, and everything to do.
A locally written guide to the Outer Banks of North Carolina — every public beach, the restaurants worth driving for, things to do on and off the water, and the festivals happening this week from Corolla to Ocracoke.
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200+
Mi of coast
9
Towns
6
Lighthouses
365
Days of beach
Happening soon
The next few weeks on the OBX
- May25
- Jun6
- Jun13
- Jun17
- Jun19
Subscribe once — events stream straight into your calendar.
Beaches
Every public beach on the OBX
From the wild 4×4 beaches north of Corolla to the lifeguarded family stretches of Kitty Hawk and Nags Head and the quiet sands of Ocracoke — find parking, restrooms, lifeguard status, and pet rules for every public beach access on the OBX.
Eat & Drink
Where to eat on the OBX
Outer Banks restaurants town by town — fresh seafood, waterfront dining, breakfast spots, breweries, pizza, and the dives that locals love. Filter by cuisine, price, and outdoor seating.
Activities
Things to do on the OBX
Charter fishing, kayak tours, hang gliding at Jockey's Ridge, climbing the Hatteras Lighthouse, wild horse tours, the Wright Brothers Memorial, and dozens more things to do on the Outer Banks — with prices, age limits, and reservation info.
Events
OBX festivals, concerts & events
What's happening on the Outer Banks this week and this season — seafood festivals, summer concerts, farmers markets, fireworks, and signature events like the Outer Banks Bluegrass Festival and the OBX Marathon. Subscribe to the live calendar.
Towns of the Outer Banks
Explore the OBX, north to south
The Outer Banks stretches more than 200 miles along the North Carolina coast. Each town has its own personality — here's the short version, with links to the beaches and things to do in each.
Carova
4×4 onlyWild horses & undeveloped beach.
Corolla
Northern BeachesLighthouse, Currituck Sound sunsets.
Duck
Sound-sideBoardwalk, boutiques, calm water.
Southern Shores
QuietResidential, wide beaches.
Kitty Hawk
GatewayWright Bros country, family beaches.
Kill Devil Hills
CentralWright Bros Memorial, nightlife.
Nags Head
Iconic OBXJockey's Ridge, pier fishing.
Manteo
Roanoke IslandHistoric downtown, the Lost Colony.
Hatteras Island
Cape HatterasLighthouse, surf, wild beach.
Ocracoke
Ferry-onlyQuietest beach on the OBX.
Planning your trip
Outer Banks vacation FAQ
When is the best time to visit the Outer Banks?
Late May through early October offers warm Atlantic water and full restaurant hours, while September and October bring smaller crowds and the best fishing on the OBX.
Which Outer Banks beach should I choose?
Families often pick Duck, Kitty Hawk, or Nags Head for lifeguards and easy access; surfers head to Rodanthe and Buxton; 4×4 drivers go north of Corolla to see the wild horses.
Do I need a four-wheel-drive vehicle?
Only for the Carova / 4×4 beaches north of Corolla and for off-road access on Hatteras and Ocracoke. The rest of the Outer Banks is accessible by any car.
For more, dig into our guides to OBX beaches, Outer Banks restaurants, things to do, and upcoming events.