Destinations
Alongside the salty waves of the Atlantic Ocean and the brackish waters of the Currituck Sound, discover the coastal charm of North Carolina’s Northern Outer Banks, where two peninsulas and a tiny island are landing pads for all the joys of being by the water. Enjoy easygoing beach vacations and historic sites in the captivating beach town of Corolla Beach, roam among wild horses on the remote, 4WD-only, Carova Beach, explore the villages and vineyards of The Mainland, and soak in the natural beauty of peaceful Knotts Island. Discover The Northern Outer Banks, where the welcome mat is always rolled out and there’s always a water view.
THE BEACHES
For beach time in the Carolina sunshine, there’s no other place like The Northern Outer Banks. With more than 20 miles of pristine white-sand Atlantic Ocean shoreline, this is one of the East Coast’s most beautiful stretches of beach.
If your idea of vacation includes long beach days plus a lovely seaside town to explore, Corolla Beach checks all the boxes. In addition to easy beach access, a range of accommodations, and resort-style amenities, fun things to do in Corolla include shopping, dining, watersports, historic sites like the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, and activities for every age group.
If seclusion is more your style, look to remote Carova Beach. With no paved surfaces or commercial businesses, it’s the ultimate destination for nature lovers, solitude seekers, and those looking for an off-the-grid experience. Whether daytripping or overnighting in accommodations from the simple to the sublime, you’ll need a 4×4 vehicle and binoculars for spying on your wild horse neighbors.
THE MAINLAND
Slow your roll to soak in all the goodness of The Mainland. Along this 50-plus-mile span from the Virginia line to the Wright Memorial Bridge, 14 unincorporated communities offer easygoing rural charm, low-country beauty, and a whole lot of hidden gems. Shop the local markets for produce and fresh-baked pies, sip wine at a coastal vineyard, pick your seasonal berries, play golf at five courses, go fishing and kayaking in Currituck Sound, eat local seafood with a view of the Intracoastal Waterway, dance to live bands at outdoor venues, and even zip down waterslides at H2OBX Waterpark. And that’s just the beginning of the fun things to do and see on The Mainland!
KNOTTS ISLAND
A 45-minute ferry ride across Currituck Sound and a country drive along marsh-lined backroads will ease you into the quiet escape that is Knotts Island, where nature takes center stage. On remote and sparsely populated Knotts Island, things to do include slow and simple pleasures like kayaking, wildlife watching, hiking, birding in Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge, and camping along the sound. As an alternative to the ferry, you can drive to Knotts Island from Virginia.
