Visit The Outer Banks

Northern Beaches of the Outer Banks — Things to Do and Places to Explore

The Northern Beaches of the Outer Banks bring together history in Kitty Hawk, walks along the Duck Boardwalk, cycling in Kill Devil Hills, and wooded trails in Nags Head Woods. There is plenty of fun and adventure to discover.

Outer Banks Northern Beaches

There is no shortage of things to do on the Outer Banks. Beaches and surf, fishing piers, seasonal beach driving, watersports, hunting areas, and hang gliding are all part of the experience. The region also features major attractions such as the enormous dunes of Jockey’s Ridge State Park, the Wright Brothers National Memorial, the North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island, Elizabethan Gardens, and the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. A visit can be energetic and activity-filled or slow and relaxed.

In This Guide

Recreation and Outer Banks Icons

North Carolina—particularly Kill Devil Hills—was first in flight. At the Wright Brothers National Memorial, visitors can follow the route of that historic achievement. Exhibits and videos in the visitors center introduce Orville and Wilbur Wright, the bicycle makers whose curiosity led them to believe powered flight could be achieved. They traveled from Ohio to the Outer Banks repeatedly between 1900-1903, experimenting with gliders, wing shapes, and the likelihood of flight before moving on to propellers and the Wright Flyer. Their work produced the first powered flight in Kill Devil Hills.

A replica of the Wright Flyer is displayed at the memorial. Near the visitors center, a walking route follows the first successful flights, from the shortest attempt to the longest. During that flight, Wilbur remained in the air for 59 seconds and traveled 852 feet. The monument sits atop the nearby hill, where visitors can look across the ocean, sound, flight field, and the wider Outer Banks.

Jockey’s Ridge State Park offers another way to take to the air. Hundreds of visitors fly kites there each day, while more adventurous visitors climb the dunes with Kitty Hawk Kites for hang-gliding instruction. With instructors watching closely, beginning fliers carry their gliders to the dune’s edge, run, and launch toward the soft sand below.

Jockey’s Ridge also has marked routes through dunes and woods leading to views of Roanoke Sound. Along the trails, visitors may find animal tracks in the sand. The park is the largest active sand dune in the Eastern US.

At the park’s southwestern corner, Soundside Road reaches a small parking area. A second hiking trail explores this section, and a final dune leads to a small beach on Roanoke Sound. The quiet beach is well suited to young children because the water is warm and waves are absent or minimal. It is also a useful launch point for a kayak or standup paddleboard. Follow the posted signs and leave the parking area on schedule: Park Rangers lock the gate, and vehicles cannot leave until morning if they remain inside.

Hiking, Biking, and More

The Northern Outer Banks accommodates joggers, casual cyclists, woodland walkers, sandboarders, and kayakers exploring tree-lined waterways.

A shared pedestrian and bicycle route extends along the Outer Banks. Riders can cover 105 miles of bike path from Duck to Ocracoke Island. In Duck and Southern Shores, much of the path is broad, shaded by trees, and separated from traffic by grass. Residents and visitors use it to walk dogs, get children moving, stroll, jog, ride, or pursue a more demanding workout.

For a relaxed waterfront walk in Duck, the Duck Boardwalk follows the Sound for a mile. It links the Town Park and municipal center with restaurants and shopping areas. Benches are positioned along the route, and restaurant patios connect with the Boardwalk, creating an active atmosphere.

In Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head, the bike path runs beside the road. It remains wide enough for groups to share the route and pass one another. For a quieter ride beside the beach, try the far southern end of Nags Head, where a two-lane road serves anglers visiting the fishing pier and the few homes along that stretch.

Nags Head Woods Preserve and Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve

The Outer Banks was not always covered with beach houses. Nags Head Woods Preserve and the Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve offer a look at the region’s wooded landscape as it existed hundreds of years ago.

Nags Head Woods Preserve lies just south of the Wright Brothers National Memorial at Milepost 9.5. Its 1,111-acres include dunes, wetlands, and deciduous maritime forest. Five miles of loop trails can be combined into either a short woodland walk or a longer hike. More than 50 species of birds nest in the Preserve, making binoculars and a field guide useful. Dogs may accompany visitors in portions of the Preserve when kept on a leash.

An audio history tour follows the path toward Roanoke Sound and offers insight into what the area was like about a century ago.

The North Carolina Coastal Reserve manages the 1,824-acre Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve in Kitty Hawk. It is among the largest remaining maritime forests on the Outer Banks. Dunes, the narrow swales between them, and areas of deciduous, fir, and swampy forest create several distinct ecosystems. Visitors can hike, cycle, or explore the area by kayak.

Hunting note: hunting is permitted in the Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve and Nags Head Woods Preserve. Hunting season generally runs from mid-fall to the New Year. Visitors should use care in the woods and wear bright, unmistakable clothing. Check with the Reserve and Preserve before visiting to confirm conditions.

Beach Access

Beach access and public parking differ among the towns. Where public access is unavailable, residents and vacation-home renters may use neighborhood access points. Rental information should identify the nearest access; otherwise, contact the rental agency.

In Duck, beach accesses are private and restricted to homeowners and renters in the neighborhoods they serve. Public parking is therefore limited to spaces and lots associated with Duck businesses, shopping centers, town facilities, the park, and Town Boardwalk.

Southern Shores follows a similar arrangement. Parking requires a town permit, and there are no public beach accesses. Residents and renters use the available parking and access points, while other lots serve the town’s businesses, shopping centers, and municipal facilities.

Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head provide much more beach access. Along North and South Virginia Dare Trail—the Beach Road—visitors will find walkovers, dune-top boardwalks, and ramps crossing the dunes to the ocean.

Kitty Hawk Beach Accesses

Kitty Hawk access points include:

Parking is located at or close to each access. There are 266 parking spaces and 8 handicapped spaces. Showers are available at the Byrd Street and Lillian Street entrances and at the Kitty Hawk Bath House.

Lifeguard stands at Byrd Street, Eckner Street, Lillian Street, and the Kitty Hawk Bath House provide coverage along the beach. Ocean Rescue personnel use ATVs to patrol the sand between the stands. Daily patrol hours are 10 am-6 pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day, followed by 10 am-5 pm from Labor Day to September 30.

Kill Devil Hills Beach Accesses

Kill Devil Hills beach access is available at:

Lifeguard stands are located at:

Lifeguards staff the stands from 10 am-5:30 pm, Memorial Day to Labor Day. A roving ATV patrol continues through October 15.

Paved parking is available at all of the access points listed above except:

Nags Head Beach Accesses

Nags Head public beach accesses include:

Nags Head Beaches have lifeguards from 10 am-6 pm Memorial Day-Labor Day. ATV patrols operate from 9 am-7 pm throughout September and from 9 am-6 pm in October.

Lifeguard Stands can be found at:

Public parking is available at every beach access except:

Additional accesses exist in each town, but many are private and reserved for hotel, condominium, and vacation-home guests. Fishing-pier visitors may also use pier access; pier parking has a separate fee from the fee for fishing or sightseeing on the pier.

Sound Access

Locals often refer to heading to “the Sound,” meaning the shallow waters between the Outer Banks islands and the mainland. There are actually five Sounds:

  1. Currituck Sound
  2. Albemarle Sound
  3. Croatan Sound
  4. Roanoke Sound
  5. Pamlico Sound

Their borders are not always sharply defined, but each has its own boundaries. Currituck Sound extends from the Wright Memorial Bridge north to the Virginia Border. Albemarle Sound follows the western edge of most Northern Outer Banks communities, from the Wright Memorial Bridge south to Roanoke Island. Croatan Sound is west of Roanoke Island, between the island and mainland Dare County. Roanoke Sound lies east of Roanoke Island, between the island and Nags Head, continuing south toward Oregon Inlet and the Pamlico Sound. Pamlico Sound forms the western side of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, extending from Oregon Inlet south to Ocracoke Island.

Each Sound has different conditions and recreational possibilities. Waterfowl hunting is especially common in Currituck Sound and Pamlico Sound. Islands and marshes throughout the Sounds also provide places to hunt duck, geese, and other waterfowl.

Fishing varies as well, influenced by currents, channels, depth, temperature, and salinity. Currituck Sound is considered a freshwater sound. Strong currents in Albemarle Sound and the long, narrow shape of Currituck Sound help limit saltwater, creating a different experience for boat anglers and those fishing from docks.

Albemarle Sound reaches far inland, and rivers entering its western end introduce species that differ from those found closer to the Outer Banks. Croatan and Roanoke Sounds around Roanoke Island are deeper and navigable by larger boats. Stronger currents there contribute to additional differences in the fish beneath the surface.

Pamlico Sound extends more than 100 miles and changes in width and depth. Some areas contain islands, while others have shoals and sandbars, making a fishing guide a wise choice for inshore trips. Along with fish, the Sounds offer oysters, clams, shrimp, and other seafood for those who know where to look.

Visitors may see jet skis, sailboats, fishing boats, skiffs, kayaks, standup paddleboards, windsurfers, and kite surfers on the Sounds. Outfitters throughout the Northern Beaches—and along Hatteras Island—rent paddle-powered, wind-driven, and motorized craft. The most familiar sight, however, may be the sunset. Because the Sounds lie to the west, calm water can produce especially striking reflections.

Soundside access is more restricted in some communities than in others. Many rental homes beside the Sound have docks, decks, or kayak and boat launches. In some locations, private or rental homes provide the only route to the water.

Soundside Access Points

Duck

Southern Shores

Kitty Hawk

Kill Devil Hills

Nags Head

Watersports

Surfing, sailing, SUP, and other water activities are all easy to find on the Outer Banks. The area has some of the best surfing on the East Coast, with breaks stretching from Duck to Whalebone Junction. Experienced surfers and grommets alike can find waves, while beginners can take a lesson. A grommet is a young or inexperienced surfer.

Surfing is only one option. Standup paddleboarding—SUP—is especially popular on the calm Sound waters, although experienced visitors also try SUP Surfing in the ocean. Other choices include kayaking, dolphin- and sunset-watching cruises, sailing, and jet skiing.

Surf shops throughout the Outer Banks carry boards, wax, and other equipment. Some sell used boards, rent surfboards or SUP equipment, and teach everyone from beginners to aspiring professionals. Shops also commonly stock board shorts, swimsuits, hoodies, and logo-laden t-shirts. Staff can often offer local advice about current surf conditions.

Kitty Hawk Kites is one of the area’s best-known outfitters, with locations in nearly every Outer Banks town. Its rental inventory includes single and tandem kayaks, SUP equipment, and surfboards. The company also provides surfing and SUP lessons and guided kayak and paddleboard outings.

Other businesses offering lessons, rentals, or both include Cavalier Surf Shop, Farmdog Surf School, Kitty Hawk Surf Company, and Kitty Hawk Kayak and Surf School.

Jet skis are plentiful on the Sounds. They offer a fast way to spend an afternoon, but riders should operate them carefully and responsibly. Outfitters offering instruction and rentals—and, in some cases, orientation tours—include:

Nags Head Dolphin Watch, Kitty Hawk Kites, and Nor’Banks Sailing & Watersports can also take visitors onto the water from Duck to the Causeway.

Visitors may bring their own boards, kayaks, jet skis, and boats. Marinas and public boat launches provide numerous places to enter the water, and some marinas may offer trailer storage if arranged in advance. Public beach accesses, along with private accesses in communities such as Duck and Southern Shores, make carrying a surfboard to the ocean straightforward. Many Soundside rental homes also have docks or small beaches for launching kayaks and paddleboards.

Hunting

Hunting is available on the Outer Banks and in mainland Dare County. Waterfowl hunting has attracted visitors for a century and remains popular. Small game, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, and other opportunities are also available.

A valid license from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is required for hunting in North Carolina. Licenses can be obtained online at www.ncwildlife.org. Prices depend on residency, age, and the license or stamp selected. Online information includes license requirements, costs, hunter safety certification, reciprocal agreements with neighboring states, and related details.

Notable hunting locations on the Outer Banks include Nags Head Woods Preserve, Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve, and Roanoke Island. Waterfowl hunting is also available in the Sounds, marshes, and areas beside pocosins.

Nags Head Woods Preserve is generally associated with hiking, but it allows bow hunters—no crossbows—to help manage the deer herd. Hunters must hold a valid North Carolina hunting license, complete a registration form, pay a $50 fee, and attend one of four orientation sessions. Information is posted on the Preserve’s Facebook Page, and staff can answer questions.

Off-road Vehicle Use on the Outer Banks

Je eps, trucks, and SUVs on the beach are a familiar sight on the Outer Banks. Anglers, surfers, adventurous visitors, and curious travelers lower their tire pressure and use the available ORV (Off-Road Vehicle) access to reach the sand.

On the northern Outer Banks—from Nags Head to Duck—ORV access is restricted by both location and season. Only Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills currently permit ORVs. Kitty Hawk, Southern Shores, and Duck do not. Visitors seeking a broader ORV experience can travel south to Cape Hatteras National Seashore, where 75 miles of beach can be reached through dozens of ORV ramps.

Northern Outer Banks ORV Rules

In Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills:

Permits cost $25. They can be obtained online or at:

A license and current registration must be shown when obtaining the permit. Maps of ORV areas in Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills are available online and at permit locations.

Nags Head Vehicular Beach Accesses

Kill Devil Hills Vehicular Beach Accesses

Driving on the Sand

Before obtaining an ORV permit for the northern towns or Cape Hatteras National Seashore, keep these sand-driving practices in mind:

Fishing and Fishing Piers

The Outer Banks offers surfcasting, pier fishing, deep-sea charters, inshore trips, crabbing, and even charter shrimp-boat outings. Fish are available throughout the year, with captains and guides ready to help anglers find them. Visitors who simply want fresh seafood can also visit the region’s many seafood markets.

Fishing anywhere on the Outer Banks requires a Coastal Recreational Fishing License. Licenses are sold online and at most sporting goods stores and tackle shops. Options last 10 days, 1 year, or a lifetime, with costs differing for North Carolina residents and visitors.

For residents, licenses are $6 and $11 for 10-day and annual licenses. Lifetime license fees range from $16 for seniors to $106-265 depending on the license holder’s age. Non-residents pay $11 for a 10-day license, $32 for an annual license, and $530 for a lifetime license.

An individual license is not required when fishing from the Kitty Hawk, Avalon, or OBX Fishing Piers, Jennette’s Pier, or a charter fishing boat.

Many visitors fish from piers or the beach, but offshore charter trips offer the opportunity to pursue larger fish. The Outer Banks has many captains and boats that travel to the Gulf Stream. The largest fishing fleet on the East Coast sails from the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, 10 miles south of Whalebone Junction. Captains also depart from harbors in Manteo, Wanchese, and Pirate’s Cove.

Visitors may launch their own boats at wildlife boat ramps along the Sound or pay to launch at a marina. Offshore Gulf Stream trips are best left to experienced charter captains unless visitors have the necessary boat and skills. Private boats can be effective for inshore fishing through marshes, creeks, Sounds, and rivers, but local guides bring generations of knowledge about where fish are located.

Surfcasting from a tailgate, fishing from a pier, and casting from shore all have their own appeal. Many visiting anglers catch their first Outer Banks fish from a pier or the beach, and some return to land record catches.

Northern Beaches Fishing Piers

There are five piers on the Outer Banks’ Northern Beaches:

Kitty Hawk Pier was once public. The Hilton Garden Inn now owns it, and access is provided to hotel guests and season pass-holders. Avalon, Nags Head, Jennette’s, and the Outer Banks Fishing Pier are open to everyone who pays the applicable fee. Each public fishing pier carries a blanket fishing license, so no separate license is required when fishing directly from the pier.

Anglers and sightseers can visit throughout the year. Seasonal changes in water temperature bring different fish to the area.

Four of the five piers are wooden. Jennette’s Pier is constructed of concrete. Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head Fishing Pier in Nags Head, and the Outer Banks Fishing Pier at the southern end of Nags Head retain the weathered character of older Outer Banks piers. Their wooden pilings, decks, and rails show the effects of the seasons, while anglers line the sides for flounder, trout, sharks, skates, and other fish. At the end, they hope to catch cobia, red drum, and other large species.

Jennette’s Pier extends 1,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean. Its concrete construction keeps the deck level and prevents the movement associated with the wooden piers. Wind turbines above the pier generate energy for the pier and pierhouse. Jennette’s is the longest pier. Outer Banks Fishing Pier is 600’, Avalon’s length is 696’, and Nags Head Fishing Pier extends 750’ long. Greater length provides access to deeper water from the end of the pier.

Pier Fees and Amenities

Fishing at every pier requires an entrance fee.

Sightseers pay a small additional fee to spend time on the piers. Each pier has a tackle shop, souvenirs, snacks, and a wall of fame displaying notable catches and pier records. Avalon, Nags Head, and Outer Banks Fishing Piers also have restaurants or walkup windows and rent equipment for visitors who did not bring a rod.

What You May Catch

The answer to “What’s biting?” depends on the season and location, but every month offers a range of possibilities.

Not every day produces a catch, and sometimes fresh seafood is the goal rather than fishing. Fishmongers throughout the Outer Banks make it easy to find fresh seafood close to your vacation home.

Visit the Northern Beaches on the Outer Banks, NC | History & Outdoors page →