5 O'Clock Always

Four Bedroom Oceanfront House, Located in Kill Devil Hills

Go Scuba Diving To View Underwater Shipwrecks and Sea Life

The Outer Banks is otherwise known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" because of the more than 100 shipwrecks that have remains on the ocean floor between Corolla and Ocracoke. Wreckage from these ships is located at various depths in the ocean, and a great way to see them is by going scuba diving. As you may know, scuba diving can be very dangerous, and you must take special training in order to become a certified diver. For information on learning how to dive while you are in the Outer Banks, contact the Outer Banks Dive Center at (252) 449-8349. If you are already certified and just need a boat to take you to a diving spot, contact Outer Banks Diving and Charters at (252) 986-1056 or Atlantic Wreck Diving at (252) 986-2835.

Go Windsurfing in the Calm Sound Waters Throughout the Outer Banks

There are several great sound side locations on the Outer Banks where you can go windsurfing. Canadian Hole, located between Avon and Buxton, is the most popular because of the wind and water conditions in the area. Nags Head sound side access at Milepost 16 and Jockey Ridge State Park's sound side access are popular spots to launch as well. If you don't know how to windsurf but would like to try it, you can take lessons at numerous places on the Outer Banks. If you are in the northern Outer Banks, you may want to try Kitty Hawk Watersports of Nags Head at (252) 441-2756. If you are on Hatteras Island, you can take lessons from Windsurfing Hatteras at (866) 995-6644 or Hatteras Island Sail Shop at (252) 987-2292.

Take Your Four-Wheel Drive Vehicle on the Beach

Though there is some controversy over whether it should be allowed or not, you can drive on the beach in many parts of the Outer Banks in designated off-road beach access areas. You will need to have a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle to prevent getting stuck, and you may not go over 25 mph while driving on the beach. Some places don't allow beach driving and some require permits to drive on the beach, so check with the local area officials to make sure you are following the rules. For more information, contact the National Park Service at (252) 473-2111.

Fly a Kite

The Outer Banks are well-known by windsurfers and kiteboarders around the world for its great wind. Why not take advantage of that same wind and spend an afternoon flying a kite? On most days, finding enough wind to get the kite in the air isn't a problem! Also, the Outer Banks is home to one of the top kite stores in the world, Kitty Hawk Kites. They sell a large range of kites ranging from backyard style to competition stunt kites. While you are in their store, talk to the staff about your skill level and they can assist you in purchasing the right kite. Kitty Hawk Kites has shops located throughout the Outer Banks to meet your needs. If needed, lessons are available. Many people choose to fly their kites in Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head because it offers many acres that are unobstructed by power lines and trees. Wherever you decide to fly your kite, have fun!

Ride a Personal Watercraft in the Sound

Personal watercraft (jet skis) are a favorite pastime on the Outer Banks. Since the Outer Banks are surrounded by water, there are plenty of areas where you can ride your personal watercraft. There are also several places that rent personal watercraft. Depending on the area, personal watercraft is prohibited within 150 to 900 feet of shore. For more information on your specific area, contact the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau at (877) OBX-4FUN. You can rent personal watercraft from Kitty Hawk Watersports in Corolla at (252) 453-6900 or Nags Head at (252) 441-2756. Another option is Hatteras Watersports in Salvo at (252) 987-2306.

Visit the Historic British Cemetery

Located in Ocracoke, the British Cemetery is a memorial cemetery for the crew of the British vessel HMS Bedfordshire. On May 11, 1942, a German submarine torpedoed and sank this 170-foot British ship that had four officers and 33 enlisted soldiers on board. All men on board the ship drowned, and a few days later four of the bodies were found on shore by local U.S. Coast Guard officers. Ocracoke residents gave Britain a 12 by 14 foot section of land next to the Island's cemetery and buried the soldiers there. Today, the cemetery is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard of Ocracoke Island and a ceremony is performed at the Cemetery each year on the anniversary of the deaths of the British sailors.

Tour the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island

Located on Roanoke Island, the North Carolina Aquarium is a 68,000 square-foot facility with a "Waters of the Outer Banks" theme. Visitors see a variety of marine communities including coastal freshwaters, wetlands, estuaries, roadside ditches and the Gulf Stream. A main attraction at the aquarium is the Graveyard of the Atlantic tank, which holds 285,000 gallons of saltwater and is home to sea turtles, sharks and almost 1,000 other sea creatures. The aquarium is open year-round from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily (except for Christmas and New Year's Day.) Prices are $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and active military personnel, $5 for children ages six to 17, and kids five and under are free. For more information, contact the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island at (252) 473-3494.

Tour the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility at "Duck Pier"

Situated on 173 acres just north of Duck Village, the Waterways Experiment Station of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been helping scientists study ocean processes since 1977. The site's equipment to monitor sand movement, wave forces, water currents, temperatures and sedimentation have helped the facility gain a reputation as one of the best coastal field research facilities in the world. From mid-June to mid-August, tours are available at the research facility at 10:00 a.m. between Monday and Friday. For more information, contact the Field Research Facility at (252) 261-6850, ext. 401.

Build a Sandcastle

When you stop in the local Outer Banks Reef or Wings souvenir store, buy your kids a bucket of beach toys that will assist in making a sandcastle. Plan an afternoon to go to the beach and build a sandcastle. You will need a bucket, a shovel and other sand tools, as well as some water to keep the fine sand damp and sticky. Depending on the ages and skill levels of your children, you could have your own family sandcastle contest. You could choose a theme (movies, animals, etc.) and everyone could build their own sandcastle. No matter how the sandcastle(s) turn out, you are sure to have lots of laughs!

Visit the Kill Devil Hills Lifesaving Station in Corolla

The Kill Devil Hills Lifesaving Station was originally built in Kill Devil Hills in 1878 when lifesaving stations were located every 7 miles along the Outer Banks. This station was visited by the Wright Brothers during their many trips to the Outer Banks. Many of the original workers of the Kill Devil Hills Lifesaving Station assisted the Wright Brothers with their early flight experiments, and some were lucky enough to be there to view the world's first powered airplane fly through the sky. The station was moved to Corolla in 1986, where it was restored and is the current home of the local shop, Outer Banks Style. Take time to stop and visit this unique structure of Outer Banks history!

 

Kill Devil Hills Restaurants

Jolly Roger Restaurant & Bar of Kill Devil Hills
1836 N Virginia Dare Trail
Kill Devil Hills, NC

Carolina Seafood
2042 N Virginia Dare Trail
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Subway Sandwiches & Salads
1726 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

China King
1728 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

The Pearl Oceanfront Fine Dining
1731 N Virginia Dare Trail
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Cold Stone Creamery
1716 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27949

The Good Life Gourmet
1712 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

New York Bagels
1708 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Little Caesar's Pizza
1704 N Croatan Highway
Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Subway Sandwiches & Salads
1704 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Front Porch Cafe & Roastry
2200 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Awful Arthur's Oyster Bar & Restaurant
2106 N Virginia Dare Trail
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Kill Devil Hills Shopping

K-Mart Store
1901 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Belk Department Store
1797 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Center
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Atlantic Dance Studio & Boutique
1742 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Center
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Hairoics
1736 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Dollar Tree
1730 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Food Lion
1720 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Pilpel Beach Shop
1724 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Center
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Staples
1720 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

The Good Life Gourmet
1712 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Outer Banks Sports Locker
1706 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Fashion Bug
1700 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Center
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

The Sheperd's Pets & Grooming
1700 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Centre
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Outer Banks Attractions

Avalon Fishing Pier
2111 N Virginia Dare Trail
Milepost 6
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Wright Brothers National Memorial
800 Colington Road
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Dock of the Bay Marina
4200 Bob Perry Road
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Nags Head Woods Preserve & The Nature Conservancy
701 W Ocean Acres Drive
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

North Carolina Coastal Land Trust
701 W Ocean Acres Drive
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

The North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve
983 W Kitty Hawk Road
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Nags Head Fishing Pier
3309 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

The Kitty Hawk Pier
5353 N Virginia Dare Trail
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Jockey's Ridge State Park
300 W Carolista Drive
Nags Head, NC 27959

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center
98 NC Highway 12
Nags Head, NC 27959

Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (N.E.S.T.)
PO Box 1168
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

The Lost Colony
1409 National Park Drive
Manteo, NC 27954

Outer Banks Activities

R/C Theatres of the Outer Banks
1803 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Atlantic Dance Studio & Boutique
1742 N Croatan Highway
The Dare Center
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Outer Banks Junior Lifeguard Program
2052 New Bern Street
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Garden of Beadin'
2200 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Glazin Go-Nuts Paint Your Own Pottery
2200 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Professor Hacker's Lost Treasure Golf
1600 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Paradise Golf & Arcade
3300 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Outer Banks Wine University
2200 N Croatan Highway
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Earthworks Pottery Company & Family Art Center
3810 N Croatan Highway
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Colington Speedway
1064 Colington Road
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Outer Banks Daredevils
100 Veterans Drive
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

OBX Pony Parties
400 Woodard Road
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949