The Outer Banks, including Cape Hatteras, is located in North Carolina, USA. It lies between the mainland of North Carolina and the Atlantic Ocean and is situated on a series of barrier islands along the coast. It is famous for its beaches, lighthouses, water sports, and historic sites.
Outer Banks (Cape Hatteras / OBX) Location Map, Nags Head / Corolla, North Carolina
North Carolina Maps and Info
Top Attractions Inside Outer Banks (Cape Hatteras / OBX)
- Cape Hatteras Lighthouse – Iconic lighthouse offering panoramic ocean views and historic tours.
- Wild Horses of Corolla – Observe free-roaming Banker horses along northern beaches.
- Jockey’s Ridge State Park – Tallest sand dunes on the East Coast, popular for hiking, kite flying, and hang gliding.
- Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge – Coastal refuge for birdwatching, wildlife photography, and nature walks.
- Kitty Hawk & Kill Devil Hills Beaches – Beaches ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.
- Roanoke Island & Historic Sites – Explore the Lost Colony, museums, and cultural landmarks.
- Water Activities – Surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing along the Atlantic coast.
Outer Banks (Cape Hatteras / OBX) Facts
| Official Name | Outer Banks – Cape Hatteras / OBX |
| Location | Nags Head / Corolla, Dare County, North Carolina, USA — Atlantic Ocean coastline / Outer Banks barrier islands |
| Latitude & Longitude | 35.9590° N, 75.6736° W (Cape Hatteras Lighthouse area) |
| Total Area | Approx. 200 miles (320 km) of barrier island coastline; includes protected national seashores, parks, and beach communities |
| Established / Opened | Developed as inhabited and recreational barrier islands since 18th–19th centuries; Cape Hatteras National Seashore established 1953 |
| Managed By | National Park Service (Cape Hatteras National Seashore) / Dare County tourism & local municipalities |
| Region | Outer Banks / North Carolina Coast / Atlantic Ocean barrier islands |
| Address | Outer Banks Visitor Centers: Cape Hatteras NS, 1401 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC 27954, USA |
| Zip Code | 27954 (Manteo / Visitor Center) |
| Area Code | 252 |
| Currency | United States Dollar (USD, $) |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) – UTC−5 Standard / UTC−4 Daylight Saving |
| Theme / Concept | Barrier island recreation, beaches, surfing, fishing, wildlife observation, historical sites, family-friendly tourism |
| Main Sections / Areas | Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Corolla beaches, Nags Head beaches, OBX towns & dunes |
| Famous Attractions | Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Pea Island Wildlife Refuge, Corolla wild horses, OBX beaches, Bodie Island Lighthouse, watersports, kite flying |
| Annual Visitors | Approx. 4–5 million visitors (Cape Hatteras NS and Outer Banks combined) |
| Entry Fee Type | Free public beach access in most areas; Cape Hatteras National Seashore has entrance/parking fees for designated areas |
| Ticket Price Range | Parking / entrance at Cape Hatteras NS: ~$5–$15 per vehicle; guided tours or rentals extra |
| Ticket Options | Day parking permits, guided lighthouse tours, wildlife tours, surf rentals, kayak & boat rentals |
| Best Time to Visit | May–September for swimming, surfing, and water sports; spring & fall for birdwatching, wildlife, and fewer crowds |
| Nearby Airport | Wright Brothers Regional Airport (Manteo, NC) – ~20 miles (32 km); Norfolk International Airport (ORF) – ~100 miles (161 km) |
| Transportation | Car access via NC-12 and US-158, ferry services to Hatteras Island, bike paths, walking on beaches, taxi & rideshare in towns |
| Official Website | https://www.nps.gov/caha/index.htm |
Distances from Outer Banks (Cape Hatteras / OBX) to Nearby Landmarks
- Cape Hatteras Lighthouse – 5 km (3.1 mi)
- Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge – 15 km (9.3 mi)
- Hatteras Village – 10 km (6.2 mi)
- Rodanthe – 20 km (12.4 mi)
- Ocracoke Island Ferry – 50 km (31 mi)
- Buxton – 3 km (1.9 mi)
- Frisco – 5 km (3.1 mi)
- Rodanthe, Waves & Salvo – 20 km (12.4 mi)
- Coquina Beach – 5 km (3.1 mi)
- Hatteras National Seashore – 0 km (0 mi)
- Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum – 5 km (3.1 mi)
- Oregon Inlet – 40 km (24.9 mi)
- Corolla – 100 km (62.1 mi)
- Duck, NC – 90 km (55.9 mi)
- Kitty Hawk – 120 km (74.6 mi)
- Jockey’s Ridge State Park – 110 km (68.3 mi)
- Kill Devil Hills – 115 km (71.5 mi)
- Manteo – 105 km (65.2 mi)
- Roanoke Island Festival Park – 105 km (65.2 mi)
- Currituck Beach Lighthouse – 125 km (77.7 mi)
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