Outer Banks & Northern Coast

Outdoor Adventure At NC’s Northern Coast

If your idea of the perfect getaway means feeling the wind in your face and the surf on your feet, consider North Carolina’s northeastern corner your oasis. From sailing on the Pasquotank River near Elizabeth City to kiteboarding on the Outer Banks near Nag’s Head, this part of the state holds paths to adventure. 

Step outside your comfort zone by learning to hang glide, kiteboard, parasail or surf with the help of an Outer Banks outfitter. Or feed your need for speed by zooming across the face of the water on a jet ski. Maybe getting close to nature is more your style. Take a guided dolphin-spotting tour or a sunset cruise and watch the pelicans and ospreys soar and dive into the waters of the Croatan Sound. Let a guide take you off-roading in Corolla, where you can see the famous wild horses, descendants of Spanish mustangs, roaming the shores.

If you and your friends would rather operate under your own power, rent kayaks and explore the marshes of Roanoke Island, contemplating the mystery of the "Lost Colony" as you paddle. Or grab binoculars and head inland to the Dismal Swamp State Park, where a bike ride into the forest offers a chance to spot deer and bears. Or simply lace up our walking shoes and take a stroll up Jockey’s Ridge, where man learned to fly.

If nothing will satisfy your urge for adventure but getting out on the open sea, charter a boat and have your captain set a course for fish. Bring back dinner or see who can come up with the best tale of “one that got away.”

After a day in the sun, you can find a cozy reward at one of the many bed and breakfasts on the Outer Banks or in nearby Elizabeth City. Stepping outside your comfort zone does not mean you have to rough it.

By Amber Nimocks

added: December 4, 2008

updated: April 15, 2013