Watersports

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  1. H2OBX Waterpark

    • A family-friendly waterpark featuring over 30 attractions, including wave pools, slides, and lazy rivers.

    • Perfect for kids and adults, with shaded cabanas and food options available16.

  2. 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

  3. 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.

  4. 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

  1. 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

  2. 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

    1. 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.

    2. 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.

    3. 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.

    4. 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

    1. 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.

    2. 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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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

  1. 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.

  2. 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

      1. 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.

      2. 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.

      3. 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.

      4. 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.

      5. 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.

      6. 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