


Watersports
Jet Skiing
Rent Jet Skis from places like Corolla Watersports, Kitty Hawk Watersports, or Causeway Watersports in Nags Head.
Options include guided tours for beginners or high-speed rides for thrill-seekers. Rentals often include safety instructions and equipment
Parasailing
Experience breathtaking views of the OBX while parasailing over Roanoke Sound or Currituck Sound.
Providers like Corolla Watersports and Causeway Watersports offer safe and exciting flights for all ages
Kayaking and Paddleboarding
Explore calm waters in areas like Kitty Hawk Woods, Alligator River, and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuges.
Rentals and guided eco-tours are available from North Duck Watersports and other providers
Kiteboarding and Windsurfing
The Outer Banks is a hotspot for kiteboarding and windsurfing due to its consistent winds.
Lessons and rentals are available at Nor’Banks Sailing & Watersports in Corolla
Dolphin Tours
Join eco-tours to see Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat.
Tours like those offered by Captain Johnny’s Dolphin Tours or Nags Head Dolphin Watch include expert commentary on marine life
Family Activities
H2OBX Waterpark
Beach Fun
Spend time building sandcastles, collecting seashells, or enjoying the surf at OBX beaches like Nags Head or Duck.
Many beaches are family-friendly with lifeguards on duty during peak seasons
Mini Golf and Amusement Parks
Visit Golf Links in Corolla or other mini-golf courses scattered across OBX.
These spots often include arcades and small amusement rides for kids1.
Wild Horse Tours
Take a guided tour to see the famous wild horses of Corolla roaming the beaches.
These tours are educational and fun for all ages.
Fishing Adventures
Pier Fishing
Accessible piers like those in Kill Devil Hills or Hatteras offer great fishing opportunities without needing a boat.
Equipment rentals are available on-site
Charter Fishing
Book deep-sea fishing trips to catch species like tuna, marlin, or mahi-mahi.
Charters include experienced crews, bait, tackle, and licenses
Nature Preserves and Wildlife Refuges
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
Location: Rodanthe, NC
Features: A haven for birdwatchers with over 400 species documented. Offers a 0.5-mile nature walk and a bridge where turtles can be spotted.
Activities: Birding, nature walks, and wildlife viewing.
Currituck Banks Reserve
Location: Corolla, NC
Features: Features a wooden boardwalk leading to a pier, offering views of the estuary and potential sightings of wild horses.
Activities: Hiking, wildlife viewing.
Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve
Location: Kitty Hawk, NC
Features: Offers hiking and biking trails through forests and wetlands. Scenic views include water and swamp areas.
Activities: Hiking, biking, horseback riding.
Buxton Woods Reserve
Location: Buxton, NC
Features: Known for its maritime forest and hiking trails suitable for families.
Activities: Hiking.
State Parks and Unique Landscapes
Jockey's Ridge State Park
Location: Nags Head, NC
Features: Home to the East Coast's tallest sand dunes. Offers hang gliding, hiking trails, and a 360-foot boardwalk for nature viewing
Activities: Hiking, hang gliding, sandboarding.
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Location: Dare County, NC
Features: Known for its diverse wildlife, including black bears and red wolves. Offers birdwatching tours5.
Activities: Birdwatching, wildlife viewing.
Gardens and Educational Centers
The Outer Banks is renowned for its stunning beaches, which are a major draw for visitors. Here's an overview of the beaches and some of the activities you can enjoy
Beach Overview
Location: The Outer Banks stretch along the North Carolina coast, offering over 100 miles of pristine beaches.
Features: The beaches are known for their clean sand, gentle tides, and scenic views. They are ideal for relaxation, swimming, and various water activities.
Popular Beaches
Nags Head Beach
Features: Known for its historic pier, Nags Head offers lifeguarded beaches and restroom facilities. It's a popular spot for surfing and fishing.
Activities: Surfing, fishing, swimming, and beach walks.
Kill Devil Hills Beach
Features: This beach is bustling with activity and offers public parking and lifeguards. It's home to the Wright Brothers National Memorial.
Activities: Surfing, skimboarding, swimming, and beach volleyball.
Kitty Hawk Beach
Features: Famous for its surfing and skimboarding opportunities, Kitty Hawk is a favorite among water sports enthusiasts.
Activities: Surfing, skimboarding, paddleboarding, and kayaking.
Corolla Beach
Features: Known for its gentle waves and wild horses, Corolla is ideal for families and those seeking a more secluded experience.
Activities: Swimming, sunbathing, horseback riding, and wild horse tours.
Duck Beach
Features: Recognized as one of the most pet-friendly beaches in the U.S., Duck offers a serene atmosphere and scenic boardwalk.
Activities: Walking, swimming, and pet-friendly activities.
Ocracoke Island Beach
Features: Accessible by ferry, Ocracoke Island offers pristine beaches with minimal development. It was named America's Best Beach in 2022.
Activities: Swimming, fishing, and exploring the island's historic village.
Beach Activities
Water Sports: Surfing, skimboarding, paddleboarding, kayaking, and jet-skiing are popular activities across the Outer Banks.
Fishing: Both beach fishing and pier fishing are common, with numerous piers like Jennette’s Pier and the Nags Head Fishing Pier.
Sunset and Sunrise Viewing: The beaches offer stunning views of both sunrises and sunsets, making them perfect for photography and relaxation.
Beachcombing and Shell Collecting: The shores are rich in seashells and other beach treasures, making them ideal for leisurely walks
Elizabethan Gardens
Location: Manteo, NC
Features: A picturesque English arboretum with plant displays and antique statuary. Offers audio tours and picnic areas.
Activities: Walking tours, picnicking.
Wildlife Education Centers
Locations: Various centers like the one in Corolla offer educational programs on local wildlife and ecosystems1
Nags Head Woods Preserve is a stunning natural area on the Outer Banks, offering a variety of nature walks and trails that allow visitors to explore its unique maritime forest ecosystem. Here's more detailed information about the preserve and its trails:
Nags Head Woods Preserve
Location and Size: Located in Nags Head, North Carolina, the preserve covers approximately 1,200 acres and is one of the largest remaining maritime forests on the East Coast
Ecosystem: It features a diverse range of habitats, including lushly wooded dunes, peaceful ponds, brackish marshes, and upland maritime forests with live oaks over 100 years old
Wildlife and Plants: The preserve is home to over 550 species of plants and 150 species of birds, including herons, pileated woodpeckers, and neotropical migrants like prothonotary warblers and summer tanagers6. Other wildlife includes salamanders, turtles, and white-tailed deer.
Trails at Nags Head Woods Preserve
Center Trail
Length: Approximately a quarter-mile loop.
Features: This short trail is ideal for casual visitors and families. It crosses two bridges and skirts a pond where you might hear bullfrogs or see raccoons and deer
Difficulty: Easy.
Sweetgum Swamp Trail
Length: 2.25 miles.
Features: This trail is more challenging and leads deeper into the woods, crossing dune ridges and brushy areas
Difficulty: Moderate.
Discovery Trail
Length: About one-third of a mile.
Features: An easy loop suitable for young visitors, winding through dune ridges, freshwater ponds, and a small forest cluster
Difficulty: Easy.
Roanoke Trail
Length: 1.5 miles.
Features: This trail leads directly to the Roanoke Sound, passing through salt marshes and wooded areas. It ends at a secluded beach, making it a popular choice for sunset views
Difficulty: Moderate.
Nags Head Town Trail
Length: 1.6 miles.
Features: Climbs over dune ridges to reach the beaches of the Roanoke Sound, offering a unique transition from dunes to soundside beaches
Difficulty: Moderate.
Accessible Trail
Length: 0.5 miles.
Features: A fully ADA-compliant loop with a concrete and wood boardwalk surface, suitable for walkers, canes, and wheelchairs. It includes a fishing platform and overlooks the brackish marsh and a large pond
Activities and Tips
Hiking and Birding: The preserve is excellent for hiking and birding, with many species of birds and other wildlife to observe
Trail Access: Trails are open to foot traffic from dawn to dusk daily. Leashed pets are allowed on trails 4-8, and bicycles are permitted on gravel roads
Preparation: Wear closed-toe shoes and bring insect repellent, especially during peak mosquito seasons