City Guides: Things to do While Boating in the Outer Banks, North Carolina
From Corolla, Kitty Hawk and Nags Head to Rodanthe, Frisco and Hatteras - and beyond to Ocracoke Island - the Outer Banks (known simply as OBX) of North Carolina are a boater, angler and beach bum’s dream destination. The sunny barrier islands are located on a long sliver of sand between the ocean and the sound, accented with wildlife refuges, national seashores and historic achievements along the way.
Photo: Sandy Allen
The area’s sand and sea set the background for movies like Nights in Rodanthe, National Geographic’s Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks and Netflix’s Outer Banks television series (though it wasn’t actually filmed there), as well as Scotty McCreary’s Feelin’ It video and Brad Paisley’s Waitin’ on a Woman (which features an Outer Banks local, Andy Griffith).
From deep-sea and pier fishing to mini golf, go-karts and off-road adventure, if you can’t find something to do, you’re just not looking hard enough. Not an ocean-goer? Check out Currituck, Albemarle, Croatan, Roanoke and Pamlico Sounds or venture along the Alligator or Pamlico Rivers.
Today, we’re going to go over a few things you can do while boating in the Outer Banks whether you’re trailering a boat or staying at a boat dock for rent.
North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
Photo: Sandy Allen
If you’re looking for a day activity out of the sun or away from a boat slip for rent, you can’t beat the North Carolina Aquarium. Located on Roanoke Island, it’s a great way to take a peek into wetland, river and ocean habitats as you check out amphibians, otters, turtles, alligators, jellyfish, stingrays and sharks. Visit the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (STAR) Center, take a behind-the-scenes tour and learn about the aquarium’s educational and conservation programs like stranded sea turtle rescue and rehab.
Lost Colony Outdoor Performance
Photo: The Lost Colony Facebook
Presented by the Roanoke Island Historical Society, the Lost Colony is America’s longest running outdoor symphonic drama. It was first presented in 1937 and is now in its 84th season. It tells the story of the 1587 venture to America. Approximately 117 English men, women and children sailed to America to set up the first permanent English settlement in the New World. They settled on Roanoke Island. In 1590, more English ships arrived with supplies, but no people were ever found.
Pageantry, tragedy, mystery and romance take to the stage as you watch depictions of Queen Elizabeth I and her court, the birth of Virginia Dare (the first English child born in America) and more set to music and dance. The enormous stage is right on the Roanoke Sound waterfront where the settlers actually lived.
Sightseeing Tours
Photo: Sandy Allen
The Outer Banks is famous for its wild horses. A 4X4 wild horse tour makes a memorable excursion from the private boat slip rental for all ages. Corolla Wild Horse Tours explore the far northern OBX beaches in open-air Jeep-type vehicles. They’re fully narrated and perfect for families, groups and small kids.
Book a fishing charter, sunset cruise or dolphin watching tour. A variety of charter boats leave out of Pirate’s Cove Marina or Oregon Inlet. Most of the surf shops rent surfboards, stand-up paddleboards and kayaks on a daily or weekly basis.
Lighthouses
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (Photo: Sandy Allen)
If you’re a fan of maritime history and architecture, the Outer Banks can keep you busy for several days with its various lighthouse. Start at the north end, Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla and make your way to Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse in Manteo, Bodie Island Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton and Ocracoke Lighthouse further afield on Ocracoke Island.
Wright Brothers National Memorial
Photo: Wikimedia
Take a flight into aviation history at the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Explore the visitors center – which is filled with artifacts and interactive exhibits – and look around the reconstructed 1903 camp buildings, including a hangar and living quarters on the location where they stayed while experimenting. There’s also a Flight Boulder and First Line that indicate where and when they took off and landed.
If you’re feeling really energetic, take a walk up to the monument on Kill Devil Hill (where the brothers performed gliding experiments) and take a selfie with busts of the brothers at the monument. Take in some lovely views while catching your breath.
Jockey’s Ridge State Park
Photo: Sandy Allen
The 427-acre (and wildly popular) Jockey’s Ridge State Park is the site of the tallest active sand dune system on the East Coast (it can sometimes get to 60 feet high depending on the wind blowing around the sand). More than just a fun spot for kite-flying, sunset-watching and hang-gliding lessons (though that’s all great too), it offers stunning views of the land and seascape. The dune is believed to have formed some 3,000 to 4,000 years ago. We just think it’s a fun spot to visit from a private boat lift rental.
There’s a visitor center with a museum, exhibits and a 360-foot boardwalk. On the Roanoke Sound side of the dune, there’s a one-mile nature trail along wetlands, shrubs and grassy dunes.
Hopefully you’ve found a few things to add to your itinerary on your next OBX beach trip. Whether you’re resting at a marina, renting a beach cottage or hanging out at your boat slip for rent, get out there and enjoy your time in the Outer Banks!
