Ocean Haven

Six Bedroom Oceanfront House, Located in Nags Head

Take a Photography Adventure with Your Camera

Instead of purchasing postcards to take home with you as souvenirs of your Outer Banks vacation, take a photography adventure with your own camera. Whether you choose to photograph the various Outer Banks lighthouses, different species of birds, sunrises and sunsets, boats or any of the other many highlights of the Outer Banks, the natural beauty is sure to come through in your photographs. You can take your original photographs home and show them to all of your friends, or frame them and hang them in your house so you will always have a reminder of the Outer Banks!

View the Ocracoke Lighthouse

Located in the southwest corner of Ocracoke Village, many visitors view the Ocracoke Lighthouse each year. Built in 1823, the lighthouse is the second-oldest lighthouse in the nation and is 77.5 feet tall. Though the lighthouse is not open for tours or climbing, visitors can walk down a wooden boardwalk adjacent to the lighthouse to view and photograph the structure. To get to the Ocracoke Lighthouse, turn left off NC Highway 12 at the Island Inn. The lighthouse is about 800 yards down, on the right side of that street.

Go Boating in the Atlantic Ocean or One of the Local Sounds

There are several docks and marinas located throughout the Outer Banks to accommodate a range of boat sizes, from small skiffs to large pleasure boats. Space is limited during the summer months, especially on the weekends, so be sure to call ahead for slip reservations. Thousands of visitors bring their boats to the Outer Banks each year, but if you don't have your own boat, some area businesses do offer powerboat rentals. For information on marinas and dock space, a few options are the Dock of the Bay in Kitty Hawk at (252) 255-5578, Oregon Inlet Fishing Center at (252) 441-6301, Frisco Cove Marina at (252) 995-4242 or Teach's Lair Marina in Hatteras at (252) 986-2460. For boat rentals, contact The Promenade Watersports in Kitty Hawk at (252) 261-4400 or The Waterworks in Nags Head at (252) 441-8875.

Take a Red Wolf Howl Tour at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

Located on the Dare County mainland west of Manteo on Highway 64, you will find the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge consists of 150,000 acres of wetlands, fields and swamps. A variety of animal species call the refuge home, including black bears, white-tailed deer, gray fox, bobcats, raccoons, mink, beaver, squirrels, opossum, river otter, alligators and red wolves. Though they are a threatened species, red wolves have made a comeback in this part of North Carolina, thanks to careful management since the 1980s. Night tours to hear the red wolves howl are given every Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. in the refuge from late June through mid-August. For more information, contact the refuge at (252) 473-1131, ext. 243.

Catch a Wave Surfing in the Outer Banks Ocean Waters

Because the Outer Banks is set farther into the ocean with deeper waters than most other coastal regions, the surf of the Outer Banks is said to have the best breaks on the East Coast. The various fishing piers, shipwrecks and sandbars also create unusual wave patters for the thousands of surfers who come to the area each year to ride the Outer Banks waves. As with anything in the ocean, always go with a friend and be aware of water, weather and beach conditions. If you don't know how to surf but would like to learn, various surf shops offering lessons are: the Corolla Surf Shop at (252) 453-WAVE, The Pit Surf Shop in Kill Devil Hills at (252) 480-3128, the Hatteras Island Surf Shop in Waves at (252) 987-2296 or the Ride the Wind Surf Shop in Ocracoke at (252) 928-6311.

Sleep with the Windows Open and Hear the Ocean Breeze

When you are at home and have a window open, what kind of noises do you hear? Honking car horns? Emergency vehicle sirens? People talking on the street? While you are at the Outer Banks, try sleeping with the windows open. Chances are on most nights, if you are within a mile of the ocean, you will be able to hear the sound of the ocean. You can hear sounds similar to relaxation CDs that are sold in stores just by opening your window. Try it - you will love it!

Go Surf Fishing on the Beach

Visitors and locals to the Outer Banks share the popular Outer Banks sport of surf fishing. Red drum is prevalent during about nine months of the year. Effective in 2006, you need to purchase a fishing license to go saltwater fishing in North Carolina. In addition, some species (including red drum) are regulated for size and limit. For more information about licenses and tag and release programs, contact the Division of Marine Fisheries at (252) 473-5734. Other fish species that are common are dogfish, bluefish, pompano, striped bass, Spanish mackerel, croaker, flounder, spot and trout. The most popular surf fishing spot is the Cape Point in Buxton, located at vehicle access ramp 43, though you can surf fish pretty much anywhere on the beaches of the Outer Banks.

Learn about Local Environment at Jeanette's Pier

Jeanette's Pier is a local historic landmark located in Nags Head at Milepost 16.5. Although Hurricane Isabel took 540 feet of the pier in 2003, the pier house reopened in 2004. The pier is owned by the North Carolina Aquarium Society, which has a unique partnership with the North Carolina Aquarium. There are plans in place to enlarge and rebuild the property. In the peak season, there are daily educational activities in the ocean classroom located in the pier house. Programs such as Beach Exploring, Family Fishing, Beach Fun and Safety, Marsh Adventure for Kids, Beach Creatures of the Night and more are offered throughout the week. For more information, contact Jeanette's Pier at (252) 441-6421.

Ride a Personal Watercraft in the Sound

Personal watercraft (jet skis) are a favorite pastime on the Outer Banks. Since the Outer Banks are surrounded by water, there are plenty of areas where you can ride your personal watercraft. There are also several places that rent personal watercraft. Depending on the area, personal watercraft is prohibited within 150 to 900 feet of shore. For more information on your specific area, contact the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau at (877) OBX-4FUN. You can rent personal watercraft from Kitty Hawk Watersports in Corolla at (252) 453-6900 or Nags Head at (252) 441-2756. Another option is Hatteras Watersports in Salvo at (252) 987-2306.

Tour the Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park

The Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park is a 69-acre industrial park that was built in 1980 to entice large-scale seafood processing companies to bring their business to Wanchese. Oregon Inlet, the East Coast's most dangerous inlet, shoaled terribly through the 1980s and few of the fishing boats could make it through the inlet, so the large-scale seafood processors never arrived. The industrial park remained mostly vacant until 1994, when smaller area businesses began moving into the park. Today, the area is almost full with various marine-related industries. The industrial park is an educational stop for visitors interested in the world of boatbuilding and sea harvesting. Visitors are welcome to come in and check out the boat docks. For more information, contact the industrial park at (252) 473-5867.

 

Nags Head Restaurants

Tale of the Whale Restaurant
7575 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head/Manteo Causeway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe
7623 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head/Manteo Causeway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Sugar Creek Soundfront Seafood Restaurant
7640 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)
7320 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Dune Burger
7308 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Sam & Omie's Restaurant
7228 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Fat Boyz Ice Cream & Grill
7208 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Owens' Restaurant
7114 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

The Dunes Restaurant
7013 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Miller's Restaurant
6816 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Dairy Queen
6714 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Subway Sandwiches & Salads
106 E Finch Street
Nags Head, NC 27959

Nags Head Shopping

Outer Banks Fishing Pier
8901 Old Oregon Inlet Road
Nags Head, NC 27959

Whalebone Tackle
7667 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

The Sugar Shack Fish Market
7640 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Sea Tree Gallery
7332 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Daniels' Whalebone Seafood Market
101 Grey Eagle Street
Nags Head, NC 27959

Jennette's Pier
7223 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Shipwreck Museum, Inc.
7746 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Cahoon RV - Grocery & Cottages
7213 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Publisher's Warehouse
7100 S Croatan Highway
Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head
Nags Head, NC 27959

Claire's Accessories
7100 S Croatan Highway
Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head
Nags Head, NC 27959

Gap Outlet
7100 S Croatan Highway
Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head
Nags Head, NC 27959

Nautica
7100 S Croatan Highway
Tanger Outlet Center of Nags Head
Nags Head, NC 27959

Outer Banks Attractions

Bodie Island Lighthouse
10005 Old Oregon Inlet Road
Nags Head, NC 27959

Outer Banks Fishing Pier
8901 Old Oregon Inlet Road
Nags Head, NC 27959

Jennette's Pier
7223 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Pirate's Cove Marina & Charters
2000 Sailfish Drive
Manteo/Nags Head Causeway
Manteo, NC 27954

Cape Hatteras National Seashore
1401 National Park Drive
Manteo, NC 27954

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
708 S US Highway 64/264
Manteo, NC 27954

The Elizabethan Gardens
1411 National Park Drive
Manteo, NC 27954

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
1401 National Park Drive
Manteo, NC 27954

The Freedmen's Colony of Roanoke Island
1401 National Park Drive
Manteo, NC 27954

North Carolina Maritime Museum on Roanoke Island
104 Fernando Street
Manteo, NC 27954

Roanoke Island Festival Park
1 Festival Park
Manteo, NC 27954

Outer Banks History Center
1 Festival Park
Manteo, NC 27954

Outer Banks Activities

Bodie Island Adventures
7649 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Nags Head Raceway
7000 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Jurassic Putt
6926 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Blackbeard's Miniature Golf
6714 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Mutiny Bay Adventure Golf
6606 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Speed N Spray
6408 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959

Nags Head Golf Links
5615 S Seachase Drive
Nags Head, NC 27959

Earthworks Pottery Company & Family Art Center
525 S US Highway 64/264
Manteo, NC 27954

Outer Banks Cruises
207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue
Manteo Waterfront Marina, Slips #52-53
Manteo, NC 27954

Carolina Outdoors
307 Queen Elizabeth Avenue
Manteo, NC 27954

Downeast Rover Sailing Cruises
207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue
Manteo Waterfront Marina, Slip #50
Manteo, NC 27954

Pioneer Theatre
113 Budleigh Street
Manteo, NC 27954