Off the coast of North Carolina is a string of barrier islands known as the Outer Banks. Locals affectionately call it the OBX. It’s a fascinating area with a combination of locals, tourists, and people with second homes. It doesn’t matter how you get to the Outer Banks. As soon as your drive over one of the many bridges and set foot on any of the islands, you instantly feel relaxed. The salty breeze, wide-open beaches, and shifting sand dunes create that memorable ambiance only found in small coastal towns like the Outer Banks. Activities are abundant, and there’s a little something for everyone, but these are the five reasons why I love the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Cape Hatteras National Seashore is continually changing due to tides, storms, winds, and current. The seashore provides a unique habitat for an abundance of wildlife, from nesting sea turtles to wildlife refuges home to hundreds of bird species. Search for shells, hike the dunes, or grab your binoculars and enjoy some birdwatching. You’ll never be bored! The landscape is stunning and truly unique.
Lighthouses
There are several lighthouses on the Outer Banks, and each is special, but the most well-known is the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. It’s the world’s tallest brick lighthouse and towers high at a remarkable 208 feet! You can also visit Bodie Island Lighthouse, Currituck, and the Ocracoke Island Lighthouse. The lighthouse on Okaracoke is challenging to find. I stopped and asked a couple if they knew how to get there, and they laughed and told me that’s what they were doing. Eventually, we arrived at the same time, although we took different routes.
Beachcombing
Shells of all sizes and colors sprinkle the beaches of OBX. It’s a beachcombers paradise! I found clamshells in various colors, including orange, black, grey, pink, brown, silver, and white. Whelks are probably the favorite seashell of the region and are highly prized. I wasn’t fortunate enough to find one, but I met others that did. Maybe next time!
Wild Ponies
Originating from Spain, wild ponies hide amongst the dunes. You can take wild pony tours to see them in their habitat. They are smaller and far more hardy than most horses. I tried several times to see them but didn’t have any luck, but it just gives me another reason to go back!
Recreational Activities
By far, the most alluring aspect of the Outer Banks is recreation. Surf fishing for drum is extremely popular, and bird watchers congregate from all around the world. I enjoyed hiking around Jockey Ridge State Park, which is also where I learned to hang-glide! In fact, the Wright Brothers took their first flights from the same area, and the Wright Brother Memorial is a renowned tourist attraction on the Outer Banks. The town of Duck has a long pier that meanders along the sound where you can get in a long evening walk while watching the sunset. Surfing is common, as is kite-surfing, kayaking, SUP, and canoeing. Crabbing and oystering are also family-friendly activities on the OBX. There’s no shortage of recreation, any time of the year!
The OBX will always have a special place in my heart. It reminded me of my home on the Long Beach Peninsula, but a bit warmer and a little more populated. The people are friendly, the seafood is delicious, and they’re proud of their history. I look forward to going back someday and hopefully seeing some wild ponies, and maybe I’ll even find the allusive whelk shell!