Hotels in Outer Banks

Outer Banks: Barrier Islands Between Sound and Sea

The Outer Banks is a 200-mile chain of barrier islands off the North Carolina coast, separated from the mainland by the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds. The archipelago stretches from Corolla in the north — where wild Colonial Spanish horses still roam the dunes — south through Nags Head, Hatteras Island, and Ocracoke. At Kill Devil Hills, the Wright Brothers National Memorial marks the exact spot where Orville Wright flew 120 feet on December 17, 1903. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, standing 198 feet tall and completed in 1870, remains the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States.

Where to Stay

Most hotels and rental properties cluster in Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and Kitty Hawk along NC-12, the single highway threading the islands. Corolla and Duck on the northern beaches draw families seeking quieter stretches. Hatteras Village and Ocracoke Island (reachable only by ferry) attract surfers and anglers.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: The nearest commercial airport is Norfolk International (ORF), roughly 80 miles north via the Wright Memorial Bridge.
• Season: Peak season runs Memorial Day through Labor Day; shoulder months (April–May, September–October) offer lower rates and smaller crowds.
• Roads: NC-12 closes during major nor'easters — check Ncdot road status before travel.
• Ferry: The Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry is free and runs year-round; the Cedar Island–Ocracoke route requires a reservation.