There is no doubt that the Outer Banks is one of the top summer destination in the US and best known for its fishing opportunities.
Besides fishing, there many great places to visit, as well as plenty of opportunities for recreational activities such as beach combing, surfing and kite flying. Below, it's a nice round up of what to do in the Outer Banks:
Water Activities
Water sports and water recreational activities are, without, two of the most popular things to do in the Outer Banks NC. If you’re looking to do all kinds of fun activities, one of the best spots in the Outer Banks for this is Jockey's Ridge State Park.
Visiting Jockey's Ridge State Park is, undoubtedly, one of the top things to do in the Outer Banks NC, especially since Jockey's Ridge boasts the tallest sand dune system on the east coast of USA!
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You can also enjoy hiking on the beach, walking on Jockey’s Ridge lovely boardwalk, as well as enjoying wildlife watching and watching the sunset.
Dolphin Watching
Another of the popular things to do in the Outer Banks NC is taking a dolphin tour, or a dolphin cruise.
There a dozen of tour companies offering dolphin watching tours in the Outer Banks, though Roanoke Island is one of the best places to find one since most of the tour companies are based here.
Downeast Rover, Kitty Hawk Kites and Outer Banks Cruise are three such companies in Roanoke Island offering dolphin watching tours.
Most Dolphin tours last around 2 hours and come with knowledgeable tour guide on board.
You can do inexpensive sightseeing tours for around $30 with companies such as Kitty Hawk Kites and Downeast Rover, while a dolphin cruise with Outer Banks Cruise costs around $90.
Nags Head Dolphin Watch is another tour company in North Carolina Outer Banks where you can enjoy an inexpensive dolphin and nature tour.
By the way, if you are planning to enjoy a dolphin tour or cruise, it’s best you come during the Outer Banks’ dolphin watching season, which runs from early summer to mid autumn.
Surfing
If you fancy riding a wave, and plan to visit the Outer Banks between June and May (surfing season in the Outer Banks), you’ll be glad to know that the Outer Banks boasts some of the best surfing spots on the east coast of USA.
Cape Hatteras is one of the best places to find good surfing spots, and a good supply of water rental shops where you can hire beach rentals like kayaks, surf boards and wetsuits.
Some of the bes and most popular surfing spots can be found near Hatteras Island Fishing Pier, Avon Fishing Pier, Frisco Pier and Cape Point.
If you’d like to learn how to surf, there are a few surfing schools in the Outer Banks such as Kitty Hawk Surf School in Kitty Hawk, and Farmdog Surf School in Nags Head.
Fishing
Fishing is another of the popular things to do in the Outer Banks NC, and the good news is that you can fish in the Outer Banks all year long, though the season for Billfish runs between summer and fall.
Fishing options in the Outer Banks range from pier fishing to charter fishing. If you want to hire a charter, you'll find charter fishing rentals in the Outer Banks by the dozens such as Broad Creek Fishing Center in Wanchese (Roanoke Island) and Albatross Fleet in Hatteras.
Regarding pier fishing, three of the most popular pier fishing spots include Nags Head Pier, Avalon Pier and Cape Hatteras Pier.
By the way, be aware that you’ll need a fishing license (cost around $10) whether it’s recreational or sport fishing you are planning to do.
Beach Camping
Beach camping is another of the popular things to do in the Outer Banks NC, and you will find that beach camping spots in the Outer Banks are plentiful.
One of the most popular camping spots is the Refuge fishing village in Wanchese (Roanoke Island) where you can camp out for around $50 per night. Other popular camping areas in the Outer Banks include:
-Rodanthe Watersports and Campground: offers both tent camping as well as facilities for RV’s fro $19 per adult.
-North Beach Campground: offers only tent camping and it’s located a short drive up the road from Rodanthe watersports and campground.
-Frisco Woods Campgrounds: is another popular camping spot in the Outer Banks where you can camp out for around $35 per night.
-Cape Woods Campgrounds: is located near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and it’s a popular family oriented campground that offers both tent space and cabin rental.
Places of Interest
Sightseeing is another of the best things to do in the Outer Banks NC, and with many historical sites and cultural attractions to visit; you’ll be spoiled for choice! Some of the top attractions in the Outer Banks and places to visit is as follows:
-North Carolina Aquarium: is one of the best family attractions in the Outer Banks without a doubt. You’ll be able to see marine life like sharks and sea turtles and cool live shows.
-Maritime Museum: is a nice little place to learn about boat building techniques, and see interesting boat exhibitions on display.
-Fort Raleigh: is one of the top historic sites not to be missed when visiting the Outer Banks! You'll be able to enjoy cool programs and regular events such as Civil War re enactments and pioneer life demonstrations, as well as the famous sunken gardens at the Elizabeth Gardens.
-Wright Brothers National Memorial Park is another must-see attraction in the Outer Banks that you can’t miss!
The memorial park boasts a visitor center where you’ll be able to learn more about the story of the Wright Brothers, as well as various exhibits on display such as the original engine block of a 1900’s flyer.
-Bodie Island Lighthouse: serves as Bodie Island’s visitor center, and if you’ve never visited a lighthouse before, be sure to pass by.
-Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum: is located in Hatteras (nearby Hatteras Landing shopping center) and it is another great attraction in the Outer Banks. There are shipwrecks and interesting artifacts on display such as an enigma machine.
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