Take advantage of the Outer Banks’ coastal location by enjoying some aquatic activities. Yes, there are quite a few more beyond surfing in the Atlantic! If you’re feeling sporty, Outer Banks nautical activities you might want to try your hand at include kayaking or standup paddleboarding along the sound or in the ocean or even checking out North Carolina’s first historic shipwreck preserve for a fun activity that will also give you an excellent workout. For those who’d prefer more relaxing activities, you can visit museums with exhibits on common Outer Banks boats or the Graveyard of the Atlantic, take a ferry ride between Hatteras and Ocracoke, make faces at the fish in the North Carolina Aquarium or do some photography out in the marsh. Many of these Outer Banks nautical activities can be educational as well as fun. With all of the new knowledge you acquire, your friends and family will regard you as an Outer Banks aquatic expert – great, right? Look at the below listings to pick out the Outer Banks nautical attractions that look like a blast to you!
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
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 for 4 p.m. Admission is $15 for ages 13 to 61; $14 for ages 62 and older; $14 for active-duty military and veterans; $13 for children ages 3 to 12; and free for children ages 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
Three vehicle ferries bring cars, trucks, RVs, motorcycles and bicycles to Ocracoke Island. The free Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry offers multiple trips daily...read more
Ocracoke is one of the few remaining working maritime communities. Round out your Ocracoke cultural education and learn about the life and history of the...read more
Originally a boathouse used to build world-record–holding speedboats, this building has seen a variety of boat-building uses in its day. The building’s...read more
Join a captain and crew for a two-hour saltwater safari on the newest vessel in the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center fleet. The Safari is a 50-foot...read more
Designated in 1991 as North Carolina’s first Historic Shipwreck Preserve, the USS Huron lies 250 yards from the beach. During the summer, buoys may...read more
