Outer Banks: dunes and lighthouses
A chain of Atlantic barrier islands with wide-open beaches, historic lighthouses, wild horses and fishing villages strung along a single highway.
Plan your Outer Banks getaway
Take advantage of exclusive offers and enjoy more for less.
Places to stay in the Outer Banks
Live rates for 3 nights and 2 adults in the beach towns along the coast.
Outer Banks highlights
Lighthouses, dunes, free-roaming horses and an island you reach only by ferry: the key stops along NC-12.
- May–OctBeach season
- ≈200 miOf Atlantic barrier islands
- ≈1.5–2 hDrive from Norfolk airport
- ≈200 ftHeight of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Outer Banks snapshots
Dunes, beach houses on stilts, lighthouses and horses that roam free by the sea.
- Sand and beach houses on the coast · Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA (CC BY-SA 2.0)
- Beach houses behind the dune · Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA (CC BY-SA 2.0)
- Mirlo Beach in Rodanthe · Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA (CC BY-SA 2.0)
- The lighthouse plaque, dated 1870 · Bohemian Baltimore (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- The dunes of Jockey's Ridge · Bohemian Baltimore (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Corolla's free-roaming horses · Kabongolei (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Outer Banks travel FAQ
How to get there, when to go and where to stay on North Carolina's islands.
When is the best time to visit the Outer Banks?
May through October. June, July and August are peak season, with the warmest water and the biggest crowds. May, September and October tend to be calmer. In winter many businesses cut hours or close, and the weather is cold and windy.
Is there a hurricane risk?
Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the most activity in August and September. The islands are low-lying, and storms can bring evacuations or close sections of NC-12, so keep an eye on the forecast and follow local guidance.
Which airport should I fly into?
Norfolk International (ORF) in Virginia is the most practical, about 1.5 to 2 hours by car from Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head; Hatteras Island is farther. From Mexico you will usually connect once. There is no useful public transit, so plan to rent a car at the airport.
What documents do I need when traveling from Mexico?
A valid passport and a valid U.S. visa. To rent a car you will need a valid driver's license and a credit card in the driver's name; check with the rental company that they accept your Mexican license.
Which town should I stay in?
Corolla and Duck in the north are quiet and popular with families. Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head in the middle have the most restaurants, shops and services. Hatteras Island (Rodanthe, Avon, Buxton) is more remote and draws anglers and kitesurfers. Ocracoke is a tiny village reached by ferry.
What is there to do besides the beach?
Climb the Cape Hatteras or Bodie Island lighthouses in season, try hang gliding or watch the sunset on the Jockey's Ridge dunes, visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, site of the first powered flight in 1903, fish from the piers and kayak the sound.
How can I see the wild horses?
They live on the beaches north of Corolla toward Carova, an area with no paved road that you can only enter by 4x4 on the sand. The easiest option is a guided 4x4 tour. It is illegal to get within about 50 feet of the horses or to feed them.
How do I get to Ocracoke Island?
Take the state ferry from Hatteras village at the southern tip of Hatteras Island; the crossing takes about an hour and carries cars. Lines build in summer, so arrive early. Ocracoke has a lighthouse, nearly empty beaches and a small village that is perfect by bike.
Is it safe to swim at the beaches?
The beaches face the open Atlantic and rip currents are common. Swim near lifeguard stands when they are staffed, check the daily rip current forecast and stay out when the surf is rough. The water is most pleasant from July to September.
What should I eat in the Outer Banks?
Fresh local seafood: shrimp, soft-shell crab in season, the catch of the day and clams, usually served with hushpuppies, the fried cornmeal bites that are a Southern staple.
Keep your stay and your Norfolk flight handy while you drive NC-12 from lighthouse to lighthouse.
