If you are from the eastern United States, you have probably heard about the Outer Banks in North Carolina. But if you are from the western part of the country or live outside of the United States, chances are you haven’t heard of them.
The Outer Banks are a series of barrier islands on the outskirts of mainland North Carolina. They contain roughly 136 miles of shoreline and are a popular destination for people living inland in the Carolinas as well as Virginia and Georgia. But don’t worry, they are not so popular to where you will have to fight through large crowds.
Tourist season in the Outer Banks does see a large spike in visitors but the number of people gets nowhere near other popular beach hangouts. This is because the towns there have more a sleepy family vibe.
Instead of streets lined with nightclubs you will find seafood restaurants, yoga gyms and even smoothie restaurants in the Outer Banks. The beaches are known for their wild horses and the islands have a great deal of natural beauty. It’s a great place to bring your family or have a low-key beach vacation with your friends. You can even find good camping in and around the area.
Health, nature and relaxation are what you will find on these barrier islands. Of course, if you are looking for a place to watch sports and enjoy some adult beverages, that is always an option there too. But if you are looking for Miami Beach you won’t find that here.
The area has grown in recognition because of a popular series on Netflix. It’s simply called “Outer Banks”. It’s a bit of a fantastical version of what really happens there so don’t put too much weight behind it.
To the north is Virginia Beach and to the south are Hilton Head Island and Myrtle Beach. The latter is known for having more of a wild nightlife than the Outer Banks ever will be.
A Brief History of the Outer Banks
The Outer Banks, a string of barrier islands off North Carolina, have a rich history shaped by nature and human endeavor. Originally home to Algonquian-speaking Native Americans, the islands saw European contact in the 16th century. In 1587, Sir Walter Raleigh’s Roanoke Colony, the first English settlement in the New World, was established but mysteriously vanished, earning the moniker “Lost Colony.” The 17th and 18th centuries brought pirates like Blackbeard, who used the islands’ inlets as hideouts until his 1718 death near Ocracoke. The Outer Banks’ treacherous waters, dubbed the “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” claimed numerous ships, prompting the construction of lighthouses like Cape Hatteras (1870).
By the 19th century, fishing, shipbuilding, and trade sustained small communities. The islands played a minor role in the Civil War, with Union forces capturing key forts in 1861. The 20th century saw the Wright brothers achieve the first powered flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903, a pivotal moment in aviation. Tourism grew post-World War II, fueled by the islands’ beaches and historic sites. Hurricanes, erosion, and rising sea levels have long shaped the islands, with notable storms like the 1933 hurricane reshaping the landscape. Today, the Outer Banks blend historic preservation—through sites like the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station—with a thriving tourism economy, drawing millions for its natural beauty and cultural heritage.
