Best Beaches in the Outer Banks
There are plenty of reasons to go to the Outer Banks. There's the history of Kitty Hawk, for example, or the small-town Southern charm of North Carolina's oceanfront cities. Others cite seafood, scenic lighthouses, or golf. But let's be honest. Most of you are headed to the Outer Banks for one reason and one reason alone: the beach.
It's hard to define the best beaches in the Outer Banks. Are they the remote, wild beaches where you'll sun all day without seeing a soul? Are they the most action-packed beaches teeming with activities? Are they the cleanest ones with plentiful lifeguards, showers, and public restrooms?
So, here it goes - the best beaches in the Outer Banks...
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore teems with natural beauty and wildlife, but the true diamond in the rough of Cape Hatteras is Coquina Beach. This gorgeous local favorite maintains the perfect balance of nature and convenient amenities, including public showers, changing rooms, and picnic areas. Plus, there's free parking (something you'll be hard-pressed to find in more commercialized areas). Lifeguards are on duty until Labor Day.
Coquina also features the remains of the Laura Barnes , a ship that wrecked after a 1921 nor'easter. Look carefully amongst the dunes to see the remnants of this historic shipwreck.
Nags Head is home to plenty of classic beach attractions: miniature golf (called "putt-putt" locally), ice cream shops, and hole-in-the-wall seafood shacks. After a long day spent sunning on the Carolina shores, you'll find plenty of in-town entertainment to keep you occupied at night. Parking can be challenging to find, so you'll probably want to choose lodging as close to the shore as possible.
Though Nags Head is one of the largest towns in the Outer Banks, the population hovers around 3,000, giving it more of a small-town vibe than commercialized beach towns like Virginia Beach or Myrtle Beach.
One of Corolla's biggest traits is its newness. Everything seems fresh and sparkling - so if you're looking for a quaint historic beach town, this may not be the beach town for you. The beach is without a doubt Corolla's best attraction, easily winning its title as one of the best beaches in the Outer Banks. Fans of Corolla praise the town for its pristine beaches and sparkling waters. If you're looking for an active nightlife and entertainment scene, however, you'll need to venture out to Nags Head; Corolla vacationers tend to be quieter types more focused on beach-going than beachfront entertainment.
Fishing is a popular pastime in Corolla. Check in with local tackle shops (such as TW's Bait and Tackle or Corolla Bait and Tackle ) for equipment, bait, and an earful of fishing tips.
It's hard to define the best beaches in the Outer Banks. Are they the remote, wild beaches where you'll sun all day without seeing a soul? Are they the most action-packed beaches teeming with activities? Are they the cleanest ones with plentiful lifeguards, showers, and public restrooms?
So, here it goes - the best beaches in the Outer Banks...
Coquina Beach
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore teems with natural beauty and wildlife, but the true diamond in the rough of Cape Hatteras is Coquina Beach. This gorgeous local favorite maintains the perfect balance of nature and convenient amenities, including public showers, changing rooms, and picnic areas. Plus, there's free parking (something you'll be hard-pressed to find in more commercialized areas). Lifeguards are on duty until Labor Day.Coquina also features the remains of the Laura Barnes , a ship that wrecked after a 1921 nor'easter. Look carefully amongst the dunes to see the remnants of this historic shipwreck.
Nags Head
If you're looking to experience a traditional family beach vacation, consider staying at Nags Head. There are plenty of oceanfront vacation rentals to choose from, meaning you and your family have room to both stretch out and dry out. You also won't be competing with hotel guests for towel space on the beach.Nags Head is home to plenty of classic beach attractions: miniature golf (called "putt-putt" locally), ice cream shops, and hole-in-the-wall seafood shacks. After a long day spent sunning on the Carolina shores, you'll find plenty of in-town entertainment to keep you occupied at night. Parking can be challenging to find, so you'll probably want to choose lodging as close to the shore as possible.
Though Nags Head is one of the largest towns in the Outer Banks, the population hovers around 3,000, giving it more of a small-town vibe than commercialized beach towns like Virginia Beach or Myrtle Beach.
Corolla
Pronounced "Coh-RAH-la," this beach town only became developed in the past 20 - 30 years. Previously, the region was home to only a few private land owners. Nowadays, Corolla is home to enough vacation rentals, shops and restaurants to keep guests happy, but not enough to drive in massive crowds of people. While it's an amazing spot to take a vacation, it doesn't feel touristy enough to qualify as a popular vacation destination - and that's why Corolla fans love the area.One of Corolla's biggest traits is its newness. Everything seems fresh and sparkling - so if you're looking for a quaint historic beach town, this may not be the beach town for you. The beach is without a doubt Corolla's best attraction, easily winning its title as one of the best beaches in the Outer Banks. Fans of Corolla praise the town for its pristine beaches and sparkling waters. If you're looking for an active nightlife and entertainment scene, however, you'll need to venture out to Nags Head; Corolla vacationers tend to be quieter types more focused on beach-going than beachfront entertainment.
Fishing is a popular pastime in Corolla. Check in with local tackle shops (such as TW's Bait and Tackle or Corolla Bait and Tackle ) for equipment, bait, and an earful of fishing tips.