Outer Banks - Nags Head

Outer Banks - Nags Head

North Carolina • Ocean

Sandy Beach
SandyBeach Type
OceanWater

Iconic Outer Banks beach with excellent surfing and hang gliding at Jockey's Ridge.

Best For

KiteboardingHang glidingHistoryFishing

Best Time to Visit

Late spring and early fall for warm weather without hurricane season peaks

About Outer Banks - Nags Head

Nags Head is the heart of North Carolina's legendary Outer Banks, a string of barrier islands steeped in maritime history and natural beauty. This was where the Wright Brothers made their historic first flight, and the same steady winds that lifted their plane make Nags Head one of the East Coast's premier destinations for kiteboarding and hang gliding. Jockey's Ridge State Park features the largest living sand dune system on the East Coast, reaching 80 feet high and offering sunset views that stretch across both the Atlantic Ocean and Roanoke Sound. The beach itself is classic Outer Banks—wide, sandy, and backed by dunes covered in sea oats. Wild horses roam the northern beaches, remnants of Spanish colonial shipwrecks. The area's many fishing piers and the Gulf Stream's proximity make it exceptional for anglers.

Amenities

Lifeguards
Restrooms
Parking
Showers

Access Information

Kid-Friendly Dog-Friendly Wheelchair Accessible

Activities

surfingkiteboardingfishing

Nearby Attractions

  • Wright Brothers Memorial
  • Jockey's Ridge
  • Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
  • Roanoke Island

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