Outer Banks Things To Do

Over the last 70 years, Oregon Inlet Fishing Center has earned legendary status for its celebrated charter fishing fleet and proximity to the best fishing grounds. It earned this reputation as a no-frills facility, but big changes in 2024 have brought modernizations and upgrades to match its iconic status. A beautiful new, climate-resistant, two-story building elevated 11 feet above ground is now home to a retail area and tackle shop run by Oceans East Bait & Tackle, a new restaurant called Sea Chef Kitchen and Oregon Inlet Fishing Center's dedicated charter reservation area and event room.

First and foremost, Oregon Inlet Fishing Center is all about making memories on the water. 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, Miss Oregon Inlet II, 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 going for billfish, tuna, mahi mahi and more, depending on the season. Make-up charters are available if you don't have a full party. Anglers aboard charters do not need to purchase fishing licenses, and all tackle and bait are provided. 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 front of the new building and take a photo of your group in front of the record-setting marlin! 

Come inside the tackle shop and retail store for a wide selection of bait, tackle, fishing and boating gear, hardware, sunglasses, apparel and footwear, souvenirs and Oregon Inlet Fishing Center apparel. Sea Chef Kitchen provides counter service with indoor and outdoor seating, take-out and grab-and-go meals for charters. 

Boaters can launch boats at the nearby NPS boat ramp, which has five launching lanes, courtesy docks and about 75 parking spaces for vehicles with trailers. Oregon Inlet Fishing Center sells fuel for boats (gas and diesel). You'll find Oregon Inlet Fishing Center 8 miles south of Whalebone Junction in Nags Head.

The red-brick Currituck Beach Lighthouse towers above the Historic Corolla Village. Visitors to this Outer Banks attraction can climb the winding staircase, 220 steps in all, to the top of the lighthouse for a panoramic view of Currituck Sound, the Atlantic Ocean and the Currituck Outer Banks. Inside the lighthouse, at the base and on the first two landings, there are museum-quality lighthouse exhibits. On the way up or down, stop to learn about the history of coastal lighthouses, the Fresnel lens, shipwrecks and the lighthouse keepers.

The 162-foot lighthouse was first lit on December 1, 1875. Onsite keepers, who lived in homes at the base of the lighthouse, operated the lighthouse until it was automated in 1937. With automation, the lighthouse no longer required a regular keeper. The lighthouse and its outbuildings fell into disrepair for decades until a nonprofit group called Outer Banks Conservationists, Inc. (OBC) stepped in to save the site in 1980. OBC renovated the keepers’ buildings to re-create their past glories and restored the lighthouse to make it safe to climb. In July 2003 The U.S. Department of the Interior awarded OBC ownership of the lighthouse.

It costs only $10 to climb the lighthouse. Payment conveys an understanding and acceptance of the lighthouse's posted waiver of liability (the tower construction predates modern building codes and safety regulations). Children must be 4 years old to climb, and children ages 4 to 12 years old must have adult supervision. Parents or guardians must sign a waiver for children ages 13 to 17 to climb alone. Children younger than 4 may enter free but only if in a carrier. Visitors stand in line to pay admission outside the lighthouse. The lighthouse is open daily from mid-March through December 1. Climbing hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. During extreme weather, the lighthouse is closed to climbing. Parking is free. Leashed dogs welcome on the grounds. 

The nearby Double Keepers’ House is used as a private residence, but it makes for great photographs. You can go inside the small Keeper’s House, moved to the site in 1920 from Long Point Light Station in the Currituck Sound, which is now a Museum Shop and stocks everything lighthouse-related you could ever imagine. T-shirts, hats, books, postcards, blankets, taffy, ornaments, jewelry, magnets, figurines and more fill this former keeper’s residence. 

Looking to get out on the water? Crystal Dawn, docked at Pirate's Cove Marina on the Nags Head/Manteo Causeway, is a comfortable, 65-foot, double-decker party boat / head boat that's all about good times on the water. Whether you want to take the kids fishing in the sound and around Oregon Inlet or gather up your friends and family for a party cruise around Roanoke Island, they have got you covered. For sightseeing on the sound, Sunset Cruises are offered from 6 to 8 pm nightly in April, May, September and October. During the summer season in June, July, and August cruises are from 7 to 9 p.m. Along the way you'll see lighthouses, historic sites, working watermen and wildlife like birds and dolphin. Crystal Dawn is available for private charters for birthday and anniversary celebrations, bachelor and bachelorette parties, small weddings, school groups, ashes at sea ceremonies, family functions and more. The boat can accommodate up to 97 passengers. On one of their half-day head boat fishing trips, you'll catch fish such as flounder, croaker, spot, trout, sea mullet, sea bass and more, depending on the season and conditions. All bait, tackle and licenses are furnished, and this is a great way to introduce kids to fishing. The on-board mate can help with everything. Ask about other tours, including the 4th of July Fireworks Cruise and Purple Martin Excursions in late July and early August.