A treasure of the Outer Banks, this is one of the most pristine and secluded beaches in the state. The 9.5-square-mile stretch of sand has been haunting people (in small numbers) since the beginning of the 18th century. Thousands of shipwrecks have been recorded in the surrounding waters, and a British cemetery has even been installed in the center of the town, after a German submarine sank a British ship on the high seas during the Second World War. This seaside town offers fresh fish and seafood from the area served in locally owned restaurants, in addition to exclusive shops, fishing and beautiful sunsets.
And just a short walk or bike ride away is the Ocracoke Island Lighthouse, the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina. From ferry trips, boating and horseback riding, this island has something to offer everyone. Kitty Hawk is the least populated of the three coastal cities in central OBX, and has relatively thin shorelines, as well as oceanfront homes that are just a few steps from the sand. The area has seasonal rescuers and patrols during the summer season (usually from Memorial Day to Labor Day), as well as a privately-owned fishing pier, the historic Kitty Hawk Pier, which the public can access for a small fee when not being used for a special event, such as a wedding or private party. Other city highlights include the Kitty Hawk Woods Nature Reserve and easy access to neighboring golf courses, including at least one with stunning ocean views.
Cape Lookout National Seashore, one of North Carolina's most secluded shorelines, offers 95 kilometers of pristine, uninhabited beach. At the north end is Portsmouth Village, a former whaling town that was converted into a historic site; at the southern end is the Cape Lookout lighthouse; in the middle there is nothing but a beach. Take a ferry and enjoy a day at the beach without neighbors or a weekend (or more) camping, fishing and surfing. Bring your van (driving on the beach is allowed here).
Don't forget to bring enough water and sunscreen for the trip. North Carolina's coastline comprises 300 miles of barrier island beaches, each with its own unique environment and a variety of things to do. New visitors to Outer Banks, while aware of the daily beach activities that can keep the whole family entertained, may not be aware of some of the more exclusive beach activities, which are not only available regardless of the season of the year, but are specific to Outer beaches Banks. While at one point these horses roamed nearly every stretch of the Outer Banks, the only beaches that see them in their wild habitat now are the deserted beaches north of Corolla, collectively called Carova by the locals.
Hatteras Island is also home to one of the most famous beaches in the Outer Banks, The Point, which is literally the place that lies between south-facing beaches and east-facing beaches, and which is where the island “turns”. South Nags Head has a beach similar to its northern neighbor Nags Head, but it's a much quieter destination, with just a few rows of beach houses and scarce, if any, businesses. At the southern end of the Outer Banks is Ocracoke Island (so pronounced as “the Southern vegetable and the cola”), a former pirate paradise and one of North Carolina's main beaches. The beaches are wide and relatively secluded, and the city itself has many pristine vacation homes that are generally divided into elegant communities with amenities such as community pools, tennis courts, transportation or beach access, and even local spas.
Head to Wrightsville Beach and you'll find lots of surfers who love this beach for its consistent waves. All areas of the Outer Banks have local equipment and water sports companies that rent a wide variety of equipment (from paddle boards and kayaks to beach chairs and bedding) and, in turn, these companies make it easier to enjoy the beach without additional expenses. Popular beach access areas include the lifeguard beach, which is located just a couple of miles north of Ocracoke Village, the access area to the Ocracoke Pony Pen, which is located in the heart of the island, and the access to Hatteras Inlet beach, which is located next to the ferry piers. The 5,600-acre Masonboro Island, the largest intact barrier island in southern North Carolina, is a nature reserve and a favorite of surfers, artists, anglers and those who want a little solitude on the beach. Hammocks Beach State Park offers one of the best beaches in North Carolina, with few amenities except primitive camping, drinking water, and a small picnic area and concession.
Keep in mind that, with more than 70 miles of shoreline stretching from the Bonner Bridge to Ocracoke Island, getting to the beach may require a short walk through greenery and overgrown beach trails. There are seven villages scattered across the island of Hatteras that have local grocery stores and beach stores, restaurants, services and other services, and each of these communities (the three villages of Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo, Avon, Buxton & Frisco and Hatteras) borders miles of undeveloped beaches. The Wrightsville Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau rates Wrightsville as the most accessible beach in North Carolina, meaning you'll spend less time getting to and from its white sand and blue waters and more time with your butt planted firmly in the sand.
