The Outer Banks landscape is a mesmerizing geographic wonder. Climb Jockey’s Ridge to see the Atlantic Ocean to the East, the sound to the West and the variations between thin strips of sand and flat marshland in between. Fortunately for you, Outer Banks outdoor things to do aren’t limited to sunning on the beach and swimming in the ocean. Take advantage of the beautiful landscape by participating in activities that put the warm sun over your head and sea salty air in your lungs. With Outer Banks outdoor activities, you can look for native animals and plants in wooded nature preserves, take vehicle tours to find some wild ponies playing in Corolla, stand over the water on a pier, take a fishing trip with a captain who knows all of the top fishing spots, visit docks to watch boat captains and mates unload the day’s catches, promenade through lovely gardens and take nature-oriented classes at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, the Ocean Center in Avon or the Wildlife Education Center in Corolla. With such a wide selection of activities, you’ll stay busy and entertained. Check out the below listings of Outer Banks outdoor things to do that you can enjoy during your visit to the beach.
Outer Banks Things To Do by Area
Corolla | Duck & Southern Shores | Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills & Nags Head
Roanoke Island & Manteo | Hatteras Island | Ocracoke Island
Outer Banks Things To Do by Category
Outer Banks Nature & Outdoor Oriented
8568 B Caratoke Highway, Harbinger
E-bikes are not only a fun way to explore the Outer Banks, but also a convenient and inexpensive way to get around without getting caught up in summer traffic or paying high gas prices. E-bikes make it easy to get to the beach, restaurants and attractions quickly, without wearing yourself out in the process. Carolina Shores E-Bikes OBX offers daily rentals, two-day rentals and weekly rentals of either premium E-bikes or traditional beach cruisers, and best of all, they offer free delivery and pickup. The E-bikes can travel at speeds of up to 20 to 25 mph and have a range of 25 to 50 miles, depending on how much you pedal along with the electric motor. Carolina Shores also sells E-bikes and traditional bikes and offers parts, accessories, service and repair. They deliver from Corolla through Nags Head and Roanoke Island.
E-bikes are not only a fun way to explore the Outer Banks, but also a convenient and inexpensive way to get around without getting caught up in summer...read more
E-bikes are not only a fun way to explore the Outer Banks, but also a...read more
Outer Banks Nature & Outdoor Oriented
8526 Caratoke Highway, Powells Point
Nothing satisfies your craving for fun like a day at H2OBX Waterpark, located just 3 miles north of Wright Memorial Bridge. Start with that perfect Carolina sun. Add a dose of adrenaline as you climb six stories and shoot down the Rogue Wave or drop 90 screaming feet down The Plank. Stir in a float down Teach’s Tide Adventure River. Test your skills on the Flow Rider wave simulator. Chill as you get toes up in some perfect shade. Top it off with family-friendly food, and you’ve got yourself the best summer day ever. It’s the coolest spot for summer fun for locals and vacationers of all ages.
Nothing satisfies your craving for fun like a day at H2OBX Waterpark, located just 3 miles north of Wright Memorial Bridge. Start with that perfect Carolina...read more
Nothing satisfies your craving for fun like a day at H2OBX Waterpark, located just 3...read more
Outer Banks Nature & Outdoor Oriented
7223 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 16.5, Nags Head
The place to be in Nags Head during the summer season, Jennette’s Pier offers anglers a wide variety of fish to target while sightseers can watch brown pelicans overhead and bottlenose dolphins swimming in the sea. The pier is surrounded by wide, clean public beaches, free parking and a bathhouse, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors from near and far. Owned and operated by the N.C. Aquariums, this state-of-the-art facility includes large aquariums in its pier house alongside educational exhibits, restrooms and a remodeled Pier Shop. There, visitors can find Jennette’s Pier t-shirts, hats, visors and plushies. Anglers can also find everything they need for a day of fishing, including different types of rod and reel combos, bait and tackle. Ice-cold drinks, snacks and souvenir items are also available in the gift shop.
The Pier property serves as a frequent venue for community events, and the upstairs Oceanview Hall is available to book for wedding receptions.
Education is a strong suit of Jennette’s Pier. The pier has emerged as a must-see place for schools to visit on the coast. In the past decade, they’ve averaged around 8,000 to 10,000 North Carolina students a year. They host school groups on field trips, offer week-long summer camps and teach Family Fishing – a rundown on the angling essentials – for $20. Check out the Surfside Classroom, or sign up for Family Fishing offered weekdays all summer at 9 a.m. Pier staff also keep busy with two important conservation organizations – the OBX Marine Mammal Stranding Network and the Responsible Pier Initiative, which promises to help protect sea turtles.
The pier has a blanket license for all anglers, so if you don’t have a fishing license, you’re covered. A daily fishing pass costs $14 for adults and $7 for children ages 12 and younger. A three-day pass costs $36, and a seven-day pass is $80 (children pay half on passes). Walk-on passes cost $2 for adults and $1 for children. Rods can be rented by the day for $12 (photo ID required). Ask about prices for annual passes, family passes and pin rig passes.
For more information about their events and pier programs, call or see their social media pages. Jennette’s is open year-round except on Thanksgiving and Christmas days. In season, from May through October, their hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. Off-season hours vary, so call ahead.
The place to be in Nags Head during the summer season, Jennette’s Pier offers anglers a wide variety of fish to target while sightseers can watch...read more
The place to be in Nags Head during the summer season, Jennette’s Pier offers anglers...read more
Outer Banks Nature & Outdoor Oriented
Kitty Hawk Kites has been teaching the world to fly since 1974. With 10 retail locations from Corolla to Ocracoke, Kitty Hawk Kites boasts an impressive selection of kites, flags and spinners, toys, apparel, gifts and games on the Outer Banks. Kitty Hawk Kites specializes in kites, from the single-lines for kids to high-tech stunt varieties. The stores also sell fun outdoor goodies such as flags, toys, boomerangs and games. You’ll find a wide selection of Outer Banks gear, beach sportswear and footwear from Crocs, Chaco, Hey Dude, Southern Fried and Life is Good apparel, t-shirts, sweatshirts, outdoor clothing, sunglasses and more. Kitty Hawk Kites also offers a number of adventure activities including hang gliding, kayak and SUP tours, lessons and rentals, parasailing, Jet Skis, dolphin tours, wild horse tours, historic tours and much more. The brand-new Whalebone Watersports Center on the Nags Head Causeway offers kayak fishing, Jet Skis, pontoon boat rentals and more. At Kitty Hawk Kites' Waves Village Watersports in Rodanthe, you can learn kiteboarding; buy and rent kiteboarding gear; rent a kayak, surfboard or standup paddleboard or climb the adventure tower/ropes course. Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding School at Jockey's Ridge in Nags Head offers private lessons, beginner lessons, advanced lessons and training packages for hang gliding, as well as retail merchandise and sand boards available for rent.
Kitty Hawk Kites has been teaching the world to fly since 1974. With 10 retail locations from Corolla to Ocracoke, Kitty Hawk Kites boasts an impressive...read more
Kitty Hawk Kites has been teaching the world to fly since 1974. With 10 retail...read more
Outer Banks Nature & Outdoor Oriented
The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is one of the most popular attractions on the Outer Banks. With more than 200 species of animals, including otters, sand tiger sharks and jellyfish to see, the aquarium is a wondrous place to explore. Yes, it's perfect for a rainy day, but you will also appreciate the cool, quiet environment when you've had enough of the sun. Just stepping into the aquarium’s lobby is like diving into the ocean’s depths. Explore the Waters of the Outer Banks through seven galleries, touch pools and immersive experiences. Watch fish, sharks and daily dive shows in the 285,000-gallon Graveyard of the Atlantic exhibit while learning about the marine life that inhabits the actual shipwrecks off the Outer Banks coast. Explore a sunken Spanish galleon in the Sea Treasures gallery. Explore aquatic habitats from the Alligator River to Gulf Stream waters, and let the kids play in an interactive Gulf Stream splash pad. Gently stroke a stingray or touch a hermit crab in the Sea Senses gallery and learn more about these underwater critters. In the Wild Wetlands gallery, watch alligators, otters, turtles and more from the surrounding natural habitat. See sea turtle rescue in action at the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (STAR) Center. Then enjoy some of the best views on the island as you stroll down their Soundside Pier and find adventure on the Nature Play Trail. Register for special programs that take you behind the scenes to see animal feedings, enjoy kids' programs or even dive with sharks (open to certified divers only). Activities aren’t limited to water. Neptune’s Theater offers films, animal encounters and programs on the Science on a Sphere experience.
The aquarium is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Tickets are sold online only at ncaquariums.com/roanokeisland. Tickets times are every half-hour, with the last tickets being sold at 4 p.m. Admission is $12.95 for ages 13 to 61; $11.95 for ages 62 and older; $11.95 for members of the military; $10.95 for children ages 3 to 12; and free for children 2 and younger, pre-registered North Carolina school groups and North Carolina Aquarium Society members. For information on renting the aquarium for special Outer Banks activities such as weddings or receptions, purchasing tickets and registering for programs online, give them a call.
The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is one of the most popular attractions on the Outer Banks. With more than 200 species of animals, including...read more
The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is one of the most popular attractions on...read more
Outer Banks Nature & Outdoor Oriented
107 Sir Walter Street, Suite 107, Manteo
The Outer Banks' only fly-fishing shop is in downtown Manteo. OBX On The Fly is the fly-fishing hub of the Outer Banks, where you can purchase rods, reels, flies, fly-tying materials, apparel and all the other equipment and merchandise that fly anglers need, from the novice to the pro. They offer fly-tying classes and casting lessons with video analysis. They also offer guide services, including wade and kayak trips. Ask about Bugs N Brews classes, in which you can tie flies while enjoying beers from Lost Colony Brewery. The shop also sells works by local artists.
The Outer Banks' only fly-fishing shop is in downtown Manteo. OBX On The Fly is the fly-fishing hub of the Outer Banks, where you can purchase rods, reels,...read more
The Outer Banks' only fly-fishing shop is in downtown Manteo. OBX On The Fly is...read more
Outer Banks Nature & Outdoor Oriented
Ocracoke Civic & Business Association Contributor
Ocracoke Alive, Inc. was formed to enrich Ocracoke Island by serving the cultural and artistic needs of the community. Through fundraising and donations, this group supports the musical, educational and artistic vein of the Ocracoke community by organizing and sponsoring multiple events throughout the year, including the annual Ocrafolk Festival, Festival Latino de Ocracoke, community plays and school programs.
Ocracoke Alive, Inc. was formed to enrich Ocracoke Island by serving the cultural and artistic needs of the community. Through fundraising and donations, ...read more
Ocracoke Alive, Inc. was formed to enrich Ocracoke Island by serving the cultural and artistic needs of the community....read more
Outer Banks Nature & Outdoor Oriented
49 Water Plant Road, Ocracoke
For a peek into Ocracoke’s past, visit Ocracoke Preservation Society’s Museum. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to preserving the island’s history and cultural heritage and to protecting its environment. Housed in the turn-of-the-century home of Coast Guard Capt. David Williams, the museum lets visitors glimpse island life in the early to mid-1900s. Many of the architectural elements are intact, and a bedroom, living room and kitchen are decorated with period furnishings donated by island families. The museum has photographs, artifacts and exhibits that pertain to island life and culture. A favorite is a video on the Ocracoke brogue. The museum also houses special rotating exhibits and a gift shop. Upstairs is a small research library that can be used by appointment. In the yard of the museum you can find outdoor exhibits including an old-style cistern and the traditional fishing boat, Blanche, circa 1934. During the summer, OPS hosts free porch talks and museum tours with a variety of islanders sharing their knowledge, stories and history. The museum also offers a mid-week Kids Kraft program for kids. This interactive program is fun and informative and the children leave with a handmade island souvenir. Stop at the OPS gift shop for a schedule of these events. It’s free to visit the museum, though donations are encouraged. It’s open from the end of March through the first week of December.
For a peek into Ocracoke’s past, visit Ocracoke Preservation Society’s Museum. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to preserving the island’s history...read more
For a peek into Ocracoke’s past, visit Ocracoke Preservation Society’s Museum. The nonprofit organization is...read more
Outer Banks Nature & Outdoor Oriented
8770 Oregon Inlet Road, off N.C. Highway 12, Nags Head
It's all about making fishing memories at this legendary Outer Banks marina. A fleet of 48 boats offers a variety of fishing excursions at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center year round (weather permitting). Nearshore, inshore vessels offer half-day or full-day trips, while the headboat offers a choice of morning or afternoon inlet/sound fishing. Offshore vessels travel to the Gulf Stream, where anglers enjoy a full day on the water. Make-up charters are available if you don't have a full party. Anglers go for a variety of species, depending on the season, including billfish, tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo, Spanish mackerel, flounder, drum, bluefish, cobia and more. Anglers aboard charters do not need to purchase fishing licenses, and all tackle and bait are provided. The newest boat at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center is The Safari, a dolphin watching inlet/sound tour offering cruises daily! Even if you're not fishing or going out on the water, watching the boats come in with their catches is fine entertainment. Come to the docks between 3 and 5 p.m. and you'll see the day's catches being unloaded. Be sure to check out the world-record blue marlin replica mount (caught in 1974) displayed in an outdoor case, and take a photo of your group in front of a record-setting 805-pound bluefin tuna replica mount caught in 2011.
You can fuel up your boat here and also purchase food and drinks for your trip at the recently renovated and freshly updated on-site marina store, which carries a wide selection of fishing and boating gear, hardware, sunglasses, apparel and footwear, souvenirs and camping supplies. Check out their online store too. An air pump for inflating your tires, a public boat ramp (courtesy of National Park Service), clean restrooms and ample parking are also available. The boat ramp offers five launching lanes, courtesy docks and about 75 parking spaces for vehicles with trailers. You'll find it 8 miles south of Whalebone Junction in Nags Head.
It's all about making fishing memories at this legendary Outer Banks marina. A fleet of 48 boats offers a variety of fishing excursions at Oregon...read more
It's all about making fishing memories at this legendary Outer Banks marina. A fleet of...read more
Outer Banks Nature & Outdoor Oriented
708 Harbor Road, Safe Harbor Marina, Wanchese
Paradise Dolphin Cruises operates the Kokomo, a 40-foot catamaran that carries 40 passengers and offers a comfortable ride with a canopied top, cushioned seats and a restroom. The boat's location at Safe Harbor Marina offers the closest access to the waters where these amazing creatures are most often found. Paradise offers four two-hour dolphin trips daily plus sunset cruises for $20 to $35 per person. As you search for dolphins, you'll also enjoy the local scenery and learn about the other wildlife you will encounter. The boat is handicapped accessible and is available for private parties and catering. Reservations are required for dolphin tours and sunset cruises so call ahead.
Paradise Dolphin Cruises operates the Kokomo, a 40-foot catamaran that carries 40 passengers and offers a comfortable ride with a canopied top,...read more
Paradise Dolphin Cruises operates the Kokomo, a 40-foot catamaran that carries 40 passengers and offers a...read more
Outer Banks Nature & Outdoor Oriented
1100 S. Bay Club Drive, Manteo
Docked at Shallowbag Bay Marina in Manteo, Risky Business offers inshore shrimping and crabbing charters in the Roanoke and Croatan sounds. This is a fun, hands-on, family-oriented activity, and all ages are welcome. You'll learn to pull crab pots and shrimp nets, and you get to keep your catch. They run four three-hour trips a day – early morning, mid-morning, early afternoon and late afternoon – from May through September. The 45' boat offers a large fishing platform — a 27-foot-long, 15.5.-foot-wide fishing area that accommodates six chairs and has a shaded area. The boat has a restroom and tables and benches in the cabin. They supply all the necessary equipment and fishing licenses, so all you need to bring are snacks and drinks, a few layers of clothing and sunscreen. Captain Wesley Peele makes sure everyone has fun and safe time on the water while keeping an eye on conservation and respect for the fish species.
Docked at Shallowbag Bay Marina in Manteo, Risky Business offers inshore shrimping and crabbing charters in the Roanoke and Croatan sounds. This is...read more
Docked at Shallowbag Bay Marina in Manteo, Risky Business offers inshore shrimping and crabbing charters in...read more
Outer Banks Nature & Outdoor Oriented
57698 N.C. Highway 12, Hatteras village
In the historic A.S. Austin Building in the heart of Hatteras village, Slash Creek Outfitters can make your Hatteras vacation more enjoyable. This is the place to rent four-person and six-person golf carts for tooling around the village, and they also rent bikes of all sorts (for kids and adults), which you can enjoy on the new Hatteras bike path once it's finished this summer. They rent beach equipment such as umbrellas and chairs and watersports equipment like SUPs, several types of kayaks, surfboards, boogie boards and skimboards. Pick up your rentals at the shop or have them delivered to your location. They also offer guided kayak eco-tours on Slash Creek and in Pamlico Sound.
In the historic A.S. Austin Building in the heart of Hatteras village, Slash Creek Outfitters can make your Hatteras vacation more enjoyable. This is the...read more
In the historic A.S. Austin Building in the heart of Hatteras village, Slash Creek Outfitters...read more
Outer Banks Nature & Outdoor Oriented
1409 National Park Drive (off U.S. Highway 64), Waterside Theatre, inside Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Manteo
In July of 1587, 117 English men, women and children came ashore on Roanoke Island with the commission from Queen Elizabeth I to establish a permanent English settlement in the New World. They vanished just three years later. The only clues were “CROATOAN" carved into the surface of an abandoned structure and the letters "CRO" carved into a nearby tree. After nearly 450 years, the mystery of what happened to the colonists remains unsolved. The Lost Colony outdoor drama is their story.
Now in its 87th season, The Lost Colony, Paul Green's Symphonic Outdoor Drama, is performed on the site where these actual events occurred. Each summer, a company of more than 100 actors, technicians, dancers, designers and volunteers bring The Lost Colony to life. The production is enormous. The stage itself is three times larger than most Broadway stages in New York City. You are seated in an open-air theater, located on the Roanoke Sound, with the stars above and live action happening on three sides. See epic battles and Indian dances. Experience the sorrow and heartbreak of tragedy and loss. Witness the pageantry of the queen and her court and celebrate the birth of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America. You'll enjoy music, laughter, romance, dance and stunning special effects.
The Lost Colony is the “grandfather” of all outdoor dramas and is produced by the Roanoke Island Historical Association (RIHA), a nonprofit organization with the mission to celebrate the history of the first English colonies on Roanoke Island and to honor the founders of The Lost Colony through drama, education and literature. Outer Banks locals and visitors have loved it for more than eight decades. Seeing the play is a quintessential Outer Banks activity.
The 2024 season begins May 30 and runs through August 24. Shows are performed Monday through Saturday nights at 8:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $25 to $40, are half-price for children ages 6 to 12 and free for kids 5 and younger every night. Senior, military, AAA, group discounts and VIP packages are available. For the best seats, advance reservations are recommended. For tickets call (252) 473-6000 or purchase online anytime. Backstage Tours are also available nightly at 7:30 p.m. with the purchase of an additional ticket.
In July of 1587, 117 English men, women and children came ashore on Roanoke Island with the commission from Queen Elizabeth I to establish a permanent...read more
In July of 1587, 117 English men, women and children came ashore on Roanoke Island...read more