The Atlantic breaking on a wide empty beach on the Outer Banks of North Carolina at first light

Outer Banks, North Carolina

There is nothing else quite like it

A hundred and thirty miles of barrier island, from the Virginia line to the ferry-only village of Ocracoke.

Where to stay

Welcome to the Outer Banks

The Outer Banks, there is nothing else quite like it anyplace in this world. Stretching for 130 miles from its northern border with Virginia to the remote island of Ocracoke, it is as much a state of mind as it is a place of breathtaking beauty, environmental wonders and fascinating history.

This thin strip of barrier islands protects the mainland from the power of the Atlantic Ocean, and at times the ocean can be an angry neighbor. Usually, though, the waves are more sedate and the water refreshing. Combined with sunshine and warm sand, it is the perfect setting for a parent to take a son or daughter into the water for the first time. Or siblings to bodysurf side by side. Or lovers to stroll along a beach.

See the coast

The Outer Banks, seen from above

Start with the shoreline, then choose the town, island or village that fits your trip. Our destination guides explain what is nearby, and every hotel page takes you directly to its own rooms and rates.

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Where to go

Sixteen destinations

Each town along the banks has a character of its own — and a few of them are reachable only by ferry or four-wheel drive.

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Guides to the Outer Banks

What to see, when to come, where to eat, and what is on while you are here.

Getting oriented

For general purposes, the Outer Banks is divided into three areas. The northern Outer Banks is everything from Oregon Inlet north to the Virginia border. Hatteras Island is everything south of Oregon Inlet to Hatteras Village. And Ocracoke Island is a small island, with the village of Ocracoke at its southern end. Ocracoke is accessible by ferry only, with an airport suitable for small planes only.

There are three counties that make up the Outer Banks: Currituck, Dare and Hyde. For most visitors, knowing which county is which and where they are located doesn’t matter.

There are, however, some regulations that are specific to a county—beach use regulations in the Carova area of Currituck County is an example of that. For couples getting married on the Outer Banks, it’s also a good idea to know the county in which the ceremony is being performed.

Where to stay

Nine places to stay

Independently run motels and inns along the banks. Each takes its own bookings — rates are on the hotel’s own site.

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