What Are The Outer Banks of NC?
The Outer Banks of North Carolina is a long chain of barrier islands that are narrow ribbons of sand. The Outer Banks start at the North Carolina/Virginia state line and continue down the coast to the island of Portsmouth. This northern chain of islands is what is commonly referred to as the Outer Banks or OBX. It is over one hundred miles long and at its widest part only about three miles in width. The chain of barrier islands continues down to southern coastal North Carolina. This region is referred to as the Southern Outer Banks or The Crystal Coast.
It is over one hundred miles long and at its widest part the Outer Banks are only about three miles in width. The Outer Banks of North Carolina is famous world-wide and it is a popular vacation destination with numerous activities. There are a lot of things to see and do from surfing to fishing to enjoying fun in the sand, sun and surf.
Where Are The Outer Banks?
The Outer Banks of North Carolina are located off the mainland of the east coast of North Carolina in the southeast United States of America. The chain of barrier islands are flanked by the vast Atlantic Ocean to the east and inland lie the calm sound waters of the Albemarle Sound and the Pamlico Sound. The beaches are world-famous due to the beautiful scenery, wide clean beaches, popular attractions and sports activities. This coastal region of North Carolina make a great vacation destination with so much to see and do from surfing to fishing to enjoying fun in the sand, sun and surf. See where the Outer Banks are on this map.
The area offers a long list of activities and adventures. Activities are surfing, fishing, wind surfing, hang gliding, kayaking, pier fishing, surf fishing, golf, sand dune climbing, parasailing, jet skiing, lighthouse climbing, sailing, shell hunting, and beach combing to name just a few. A North Carolina vacation rental at the beach is a must in the hot summer time. OBX has many attractions to enjoy such as the Roanoke Island NC Aquarium, Fort Raleigh Historic National Site, Jockeys Ridge sand dune, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, The annual summer outdoor drama The Lost Colony, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, fishing piers, surfing and so much more. The area of the North Carolina coast makes a memorable and beautiful setting for a beach wedding whether it is by the sea or at a beach resort.
Outer Banks Beach Vacation
A NC beach vacation is very popular and fun. There is so much to do at the North Carolina coast with a lot of tourist attractions to visit as well as fun sports to enjoy at the beach. There is so much to see and do on a beach vacation such as fishing (surf, pier, and charter boat); shopping; climb the sand dunes, got to the waterfront outdoor drama The Lost Colony, visit the Wright Brothers Memorial, or just enjoy the water sports like surfing, swimming or kiteboarding.
US Travel News ranked the Outer Banks #8 world-wide has having the best beaches. And Ocracoke was just ranked #3! The NC beaches are wide, clean and less crowded than most. Vacation beach rentals are a great way to enjoy the beach. There are hundreds of vacation rentals that will be perfect to spend a week or two at the beach. Vacation rental homes are very popular, choosing a soundside, oceanside or oceanfront home or condo. Prices vary but run from affordable and basic to expensive and luxurious.
Top Things to do at the Outer Banks:
- Climb the Bodie Island Lighthouse
- Take a Day Trip to Ocracoke Island
- Get Wet at the HSOBX Waterpark
- Visit Corolla and see the Wild Horses
- Tour the Wright Brothers Memorial
- Climb the Sand Dunes of Jockey’s Ridge
- Picnic at Fort Raleigh National Historic
- Walk through the Elizabethan Gardens
- Go Fishing on a Fishing Pier
- Go to the Roanoke Island NC Aquarium
- Spend the day on Hatteras Island
- Enjoy the Cape Hatteras National Seashore
- Climb the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
- Visit the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
- See the outdoor drama The Lost Colony
- Ride the Ferry
Outer Banks Vacation Rentals
An Outer Banks vacation rental home or cottage can offer the perfect NC beach vacation accommodations. Vacation rentals are like home away from home. Instead of spending your vacation in a small hotel room without the needed amenities a vacation rental can have all the conveniences of home, maybe even more.
60% of those surveyed prefer a rental cottage accommodation while at the Outer Banks!
There are about 50 property management/company rental agencies and or real estate agencies in the area. With over 21,000 rentals combined you can find the perfect vacation rental you need to make that special beach vacation a reality. The area is host to almost 5 million visitors a year. Come visit one of the most beautiful places on earth and find out why so many people call it their vacation destination.
Here is some beautiful footage of the Outer Banks from a drone high above…
