Points of InterestKill Devil Hills
Bay of Bay Cliff
A quiet soundside pocket of Kill Devil Hills, away from the Beach Road crowds
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North Carolina
Your Guide to theOuter Banks130 Miles of Coast
Discover the best dining, lodging, experiences, beaches, and fishing across North Carolina's Outer Banks, from Corolla to Ocracoke.
⚠️Beach Hazards StatementWeather AlertBeach Hazards Statement issued September 15 at 4:08AM EDT until September 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Beach Hazards StatementWeather Alert
Beach Hazards Statement issued September 15 at 4:08AM EDT until September 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents. * WHERE...The beaches north of Cape Hatteras. * WHEN...From 8 AM EDT this morning through this evening. * IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The most likely time for strong rip currents to occur is a couple hours either side of low tide, which will occur around 5:30 PM today.
🚨Park ClosurePark AlertClosure of Billy Mitchell Airport for Repaving Project
Park ClosurePark Alert
Closure of Billy Mitchell Airport for Repaving Project
The Billy Mitchell Airport (HSE) is closed to accommodate a runway pavement rehabilitation project. The project will provide full resurfacing of paved areas, new reflective paint, and new tie-downs and anchors, improving visitor safety and enhancing the overall visitor experience.
🚨Park ClosurePark AlertProject Safety Closure in Place Near Southernmost Groin in Buxton
Park ClosurePark Alert
Project Safety Closure in Place Near Southernmost Groin in Buxton
Public access is closed for 300 feet north and south of a groin repair project site in Buxton, as well as the adjacent ocean area to the east. Surfers, swimmers, and all other recreationists should stay at least 300 feet from the southernmost groin area for safety purposes.
🚨Park ClosurePark AlertPartial Beach Closures in Place in Front of Buxton Village
Park ClosurePark Alert
Partial Beach Closures in Place in Front of Buxton Village
The beachfront in front of Buxton Village is temporarily closed due to the presence of threatened oceanfront structures and Dare County's beach nourishment project. Renourished sections of beach will open to the public immediately after construction activities conclude in the areas, generally within 24 hours.
Explore the Outer Banks
Everything you need for your perfect Outer Banks trip, all in one place.
Featured Listings
Handpicked favorites from up and down the Outer Banks.
Vacation RentalKitty Hawk
Beach Haven Retreat
A week-long stay on Kitty Hawk's quieter stretch of the Beach Road
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Kitty Hawk
Black Flag Galley
Casual Croatan Highway fare in Kitty Hawk, open five days a week for lunch through early dinner
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Buxton
Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve
The maritime forest holding Hatteras Island's dunes and drinking water together
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Current Weather
Real-time conditions at Cape Hatteras National Seashore
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70°
Feels like 67°F
Clear sky
💨13 mph NNE
💧Humidity 63%
☀️UV 1 Low
🌅6:45 AM · 7:09 PM
76°
69°
Updated just nowToday
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76° 69°
💧 4%
Wed
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77° 68°
💧 5%
Thu
☁️
81° 70°
Fri
🌤️
87° 68°
💧 6%
Sat
☁️
81° 72°
💧 7%
Plan Your Visit
Tips and insights for making the most of your time on the Outer Banks.
Weather & Seasons
The Outer Banks has a distinct season: summer (June-August) is peak beach season, warm and busy. Hurricane season runs June through November, peaking August-October - most years pass without a direct hit, but it's worth watching the forecast during that window. Spring and fall offer milder weather and thinner crowds, widely considered the best all-around time to visit. Winter is quiet, cool, and popular with anglers and anyone chasing an empty beach.
View forecast →Getting There
The Outer Banks is a chain of barrier islands off the North Carolina coast, reached via US-158 or US-64 from the mainland. The core beach towns (Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head) sit close together on paved NC-12; Hatteras Island's villages string out further south along the same highway. Ocracoke Island is reachable only by ferry - free from Hatteras village, or a longer paid crossing from the mainland at Cedar Island or Swan Quarter.
Best Time to Visit
Spring and fall bring the best balance of good weather and manageable crowds - book lodging early for these shoulder-season weeks, since locals know them well too. Summer is the busiest and most reliably warm stretch, ideal if crowds don't bother you. If you want the islands to yourself, winter is quiet and popular with anglers, though some seasonal businesses close for the off-season.
Recent News Articles
The latest Outer Banks travel guides and updates from our newsroom.
Getting Around
Outer Banks Live Webcams: Check Conditions Before You Go
Every real, currently-live Outer Banks webcam, from the Wright Memorial Bridge to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse — bridge traffic, surf conditions, and storm tracking before you drive in.
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Food and Dining
Kill Devil Hills NC Restaurants: Where the Regulars Sit
The Kill Devil Hills restaurants that have survived decades of hurricane seasons and off-season rent, not the ones with the loudest sign on the Beach Road.
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Wildlife and Nature
Corolla's Wild Horses: Where to Find Them and How Not to Get Fined
The Corolla Wild Horse Fund protects a herd that has lived past the end of the pavement since 1996. Here's where the herd roams, the 50-foot law, and how to actually see them.
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