Captain's Choice

Hook, Line & Sinker- this home is a GREAT CATCH!

Ride the Free Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry

Ocracoke Island is the southernmost island of the Outer Banks and can only be reached by ferry (or boat.) The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) runs a free ferry from Hatteras Village to Ocracoke Island. The ferry ride is approximately 40 minutes long and departs from the southern tip of Hatteras Village and arrives at the northern tip of Ocracoke Island. Once the ferry docks, it is about 15 miles to the quaint village of Ocracoke. Ferries run daily between 5:00 a.m. and midnight. In the peak season, departures from each location (Hatteras and Ocracoke) are every 30 minutes; in the off season departures are every hour. In the peak season, ferry lines tend to get long, so you will want to plan ahead. Reservations are not available for the Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry. For more information, you may contact the NCDOT at (800) BY-FERRY.

Watch Birds and Wildlife at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

Located on the north end of Hatteras Island, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge was founded in 1938 as a winter preserve for snow geese. Today, the refuge is managed by the National Park Service and consists of 5,915 acres attracting almost 400 observed bird species. Naturalists, birdwatchers and fans of the sea turtle all frequent the Refuge during their trips to the Outer Banks. There is a Visitor Center on-site as well as a trail leading along the sound marshes in the area. There is no charge for this attraction, but don't forget to bring your insect repellent! For more information, contact the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge at (252) 987-2394.

Climb the Currituck Beach Lighthouse

While you are in the northern Outer Banks, stop by the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and climb the 214 steps to the top of the lighthouse. Once at the top, you will be able to get a close-up view of the 50,000 candlepower lamp that is visible for 18 nautical miles. Much like the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the stairs to the top are narrow and winding, but the unlimited views from the top are an excellent reward. Visitors may climb the lighthouse for a fee of $6, and children less than eight years old climb for free. The lighthouse is open daily from Easter through Thanksgiving.

Take a Flightseeing Tour with Coastal Helicopters

Coastal Helicopters offers flightseeing tours, photography and videography flights over the beautiful Outer Banks. You will enjoy panoramic views from the sky with an FAA Certified Commercial Helicopter Pilot when you take your air tour with Coastal Helicopters. The helicopter is a Robinson R-44 Raven II and offers a safe, smooth ride to accompany the unparalleled views. A few attractions that can be seen from the air include Wright Brothers National Monument, Jockey's Ridge State Park, Wild Banker Ponies, Oregon Inlet, Cape Hatteras National Sewashore, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Bodie Island Lighthouse, and more! Call Coastal Helicopters today at 252-928-8074 for more information.

Look at the Horses at the Ocracoke Pony Pens

Housed in a 180-acre pasture located just off Highway 12 on Ocracoke Island, the 30 horses that live in the Ocracoke Pony Pens are a popular attraction. Maintained by the National Park Service, the once-wild horses are a large part of the Island's history. At times in history, the herd of wild horses ranged from 200 to 500. Much like the Corolla Wild Horses, it is believed that these horses arrived on Ocracoke by swimming ashore from Spanish shipwrecks off the coast. When you make your trip to Ocracoke Island, don't forget to stop and visit the Ocracoke Pony Pens!

Go Windsurfing in the Calm Sound Waters Throughout the Outer Banks

There are several great sound side locations on the Outer Banks where you can go windsurfing. Canadian Hole, located between Avon and Buxton, is the most popular because of the wind and water conditions in the area. Nags Head sound side access at Milepost 16 and Jockey Ridge State Park's sound side access are popular spots to launch as well. If you don't know how to windsurf but would like to try it, you can take lessons at numerous places on the Outer Banks. If you are in the northern Outer Banks, you may want to try Kitty Hawk Watersports of Nags Head at (252) 441-2756. If you are on Hatteras Island, you can take lessons from Windsurfing Hatteras at (866) 995-6644 or Hatteras Island Sail Shop at (252) 987-2292.

Hike on the Buxton Woods Nature Trail

If you want to get some exercise while you are in Buxton but aren't crazy about climbing the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the Buxton Woods Nature Trail is the place for you! The trailhead is just past the turnoff to the Lighthouse on the right side of the road. There are picnic tables and charcoal grills in a shaded area just beside the trailhead. The trail is a .75 mile loop that will take you through marshes, trees, grasses and wildlife. Cottonmouth snakes, which are fat, rough-scaled and look brown, yellow, gray or black, are prevalent in this area in the warm months, so give them their space. If you see one, let it get away. If it doesn't move, get away from it. The hike has a few small inclines and is a gravel trail with a few uneven spots, so is not recommended for disabled visitors or small children. Pets are welcome as long as they are on a leash.

View the Sunset Over the Sound

After a long day of sightseeing, shopping, fishing or surfing, take time to relax and watch the sunset over the Sound. Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands are home to the Pamlico Sound; Manteo and Nags Head are home to the Albemarle Sound, and Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Duck and Corolla is where you will find the Currituck Sound. No matter what Sound you choose, the sunset views will be breathtaking. If you are lucky enough to catch a few late afternoon windsurfers or kiteboarders, you will be able to see their sails in the foreground as the sun drops below the horizon. Sunsets are beautiful on the Outer Banks all year round, but some of the most breathtaking orange and red sunsets are prevalent in the fall season each year.

Go Camping at the Ocracoke Campground

The National Park Service manages a great campground on Ocracoke Island. About twelve miles from the ferry docks and just three miles from Ocracoke Village, this oceanfront campground is in the perfect location for walking on the beach, fishing, nature walking and more! There are 136 campsites and the cost is $20 per night. To make a reservation, call (800) 365-CAMP.

Send Outer Banks Postcards To Your Friends and Family

Are you the lucky one among your friends and family who got to take a trip to the Outer Banks this year? Take an hour of your precious vacation time and send postcard notes to your loved ones from the Outer Banks. There are beautiful postcards sold at almost any local gift shop or grocery store and they are very affordable. Let them know you are thinking about them and that you wish they could be visiting the Outer Banks with you. If they can see a postcard of how beautiful it is, maybe you can persuade them to come along with you on your next trip to the Outer Banks!

 

Kill Devil Hills Restaurants

The Pearl Oceanfront Fine Dining
1731 N Virginia Dare Trail
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Jolly Roger Restaurant & Bar of Kill Devil Hills
1836 N Virginia Dare Trail
Kill Devil Hills, NC

The Good Life Gourmet
1712 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Little Caesar's Pizza
1704 N Croatan Highway
Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Subway Sandwiches & Salads
1704 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Cold Stone Creamery
1716 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27949

New York Bagels
1708 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Subway Sandwiches & Salads
1726 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

China King
1728 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Goombays Grill & Raw Bar
1608 N Virginia Dare Trail
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Mako Mike's
1630 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Carolina Seafood
2042 N Virginia Dare Trail
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Kill Devil Hills Shopping

The Good Life Gourmet
1712 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Outer Banks Sports Locker
1706 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Fashion Bug
1700 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Center
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

The Sheperd's Pets & Grooming
1700 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Food Lion
1720 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Pilpel Beach Shop
1724 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Center
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Staples
1720 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Dollar Tree
1730 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Atlantic Dance Studio & Boutique
1742 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Center
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Hairoics
1736 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Belk Department Store
1797 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Center
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

K-Mart Store
1901 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Outer Banks Attractions

Avalon Fishing Pier
2111 N Virginia Dare Trail
Milepost 6
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Wright Brothers National Memorial
800 Colington Road
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Nags Head Woods Preserve & The Nature Conservancy
701 W Ocean Acres Drive
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

North Carolina Coastal Land Trust
701 W Ocean Acres Drive
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Dock of the Bay Marina
4200 Bob Perry Road
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

The North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve
983 W Kitty Hawk Road
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Nags Head Fishing Pier
3309 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Jockey's Ridge State Park
300 W Carolista Drive
Nags Head, NC 27959

The Kitty Hawk Pier
5353 N Virginia Dare Trail
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center
98 NC Highway 12
Nags Head, NC 27959

Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (N.E.S.T.)
PO Box 1168
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

The Lost Colony
1409 National Park Drive
Manteo, NC 27954

Outer Banks Activities

Atlantic Dance Studio & Boutique
1742 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Center
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

R/C Theatres of the Outer Banks
1803 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Professor Hacker's Lost Treasure Golf
1600 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Outer Banks Junior Lifeguard Program
2052 New Bern Street
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Garden of Beadin'
2200 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Glazin Go-Nuts Paint Your Own Pottery
2200 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Paradise Golf & Arcade
3300 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Outer Banks Wine University
2200 N Croatan Highway
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Outer Banks Daredevils
100 Veterans Drive
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Colington Speedway
1064 Colington Road
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Earthworks Pottery Company & Family Art Center
3810 N Croatan Highway
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Destination Fun
1217 S Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948