Outer Banks

A chain of barrier islands off North Carolina's coast offering wild horses, historic lighthouses, and beautiful beaches with strong ocean waves. It's famous for the Wright Brothers' first flight and excellent water sports and fishing.

Things to do

• Wright Brothers National Memorial — Visit the site where Orville and Wilbur Wright achieved the first powered airplane flight in 1903, with a reconstructed hangar and flight simulator.
• Cape Hatteras Lighthouse — Climb the iconic black-and-white striped lighthouse for panoramic ocean views and learn about maritime history at this historic navigation beacon.
• Shelling at Ocracoke Island — Search the beaches of this remote barrier island for shells, sand dollars, and sea glass washed ashore by Atlantic waves.
• Surfing at Cape Hatteras — Ride some of the East Coast's most consistent and powerful waves at breaks like Hatteras Village and Buxton, suitable for all skill levels.
• Wild Horse Viewing — Spot the famed Banker ponies, descendants of Spanish colonial horses, roaming freely on Ocracoke Island and Shackleford Banks.
• Fishing Charter — Book a deep-sea fishing expedition to catch marlin, wahoo, and king mackerel, or wade in the sound for flounder and redfish.

Food to try

• Fresh Catch Seafood Platter — Enjoy locally-caught flounder, grouper, and shrimp prepared simply grilled or fried at waterfront restaurants throughout the islands.
• Calabash-Style Seafood — Sample the regional preparation method featuring fresh-caught fish and shellfish lightly breaded and fried, a tradition from nearby Calabash, North Carolina.
• Soft-Shell Crab — Taste the local delicacy during molting season when blue crabs shed their shells, served fried or in sandwiches for tender, edible shells.
• Hush Puppies — Savor this Southern staple of fried cornmeal balls served as a side dish at casual beachside restaurants and fish shacks.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect Wildlife Nesting Areas — Stay clear of sea turtle and shorebird nesting zones marked on beaches during spring and summer, as disturbing them is illegal and harmful.
• Understand Nor'easter Season — Be prepared for powerful autumn storms that can impact travel and water activities; locals plan around this predictable weather pattern.
• Support Local Fishing Community — Buy from local fish markets and eat at family-owned seafood restaurants to sustain the generations-old maritime culture of the islands.