Accessing Outer Banks Beaches
One of the most frequent questions we get asked is, “How do I get to the beach?” The answer may initially seem obvious but a lot of beach towns around the country are actually quite hard to access. Many other popular beach destinations on the East Coast (Ocean City, Jersey Shore, Virginia Beach and even Wrightsville, NC) require paid parking passes or have metered public lots meaning that after an hour or so of playing in the ocean, you have to remember to run back up to the meter to add more money if you aren’t ready to leave – that isn't very relaxing. Luckily, there are plenty of free places to park on the Outer Banks!
If you prefer the beach in your back yard, we have a huge selection of great oceanfront homes to choose from, but if you’ve booked your dream vacation house and it isn’t oceanfront, don’t worry! There are dozens of community walkways and public beach accesses ialong our coast so accessing Outer Banks Beaches will be a breeze.
Note: This is not a comprehensive guide of every township, island or unincorporated territory that makes up the beautiful Outer Banks but is rather a highlight on the Oceanfront beaches and how to access them when you book an Outer Banks vacation rental.
About Designated Beach Accesses
The local towns on the Outer Banks strive to make beach accesses convenient and available to its residents and visitors. It isn’t uncommon to see a community path or walkway to the ocean that is available for public use and these are typically located in convenient places for foot acess by semi-oceanfront and oceanside rentals. Some locations (as seen above) offer parallel street parking while others offer fully paved lots and each access offers different amenities. The following list of beach accesses are some of the largest ones in each town but the list is not all inclusive. Check each jurisdiction’s website for additional public accesses.
Because there are dozens of designated walkways to the Outer Banks beaches, it is important to follow any posted regulations or traffic laws and keep off the dunes – climbing over dunes in undesignated areas could destroy these fragile land formations. If you have specific needs or questions, feel free to speak to one our experienced guest services representatives about the best way to get to the beach from your rental home.
LIFEGUARDED BEACHES
Remember, it's always safer to swim in front of a lifeguard! Many people are not used to swimming in the ocean, particularly one with as many currents as we have along the coast. Even if you are a good swimmer, the ocean is unpredictable. Keep in mind that other injuries requiring assistance may occur (jellyfish sting, physical injury, dehydration, wandering child, etc.) so consider swimming at lifeguarded beaches.
Many Outer Banks beaches provide manned lifeguard stands and several areas also have roving lifeguards on atvs/bikes. Generally, lifeguard stations are operated during peak season but each town has set hours and date ranges depending on the beach access. Check each town's website for additional information on their surf rescue program and beach safety regulations. Hours and locations are subject to change without notice so please always check your town's individual hours and read any signs posted at the beach access.
>> Remember, in an emergency on the beach, dial 9-1-1. Know your location - mile marker, oceanfront home address, or beach access name.
BEACH ACCESSES
Below is a list of Public Beach Accesses on the Outer Banks along with any available amenities including parking, lifeguard stations, and wooden walkways. Please note: only accesses designated as having "Lifeguard Stations" will have a lifeguard during duty hours.
Find out more about Outer Banks Oceanfront Beach Accesses here.
COROLLA
- Corolla Village Road (Currituck Lighthouse) - Parking, Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Bath House, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- Shad Street - Parking, Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway
- Tuna Street - Wooden Walkway
- Sturgeon Walkway - Parking, Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway
- Baracuda Walkway - Wooden Walkway
- Herring Walkway - Wooden Walkway
- Perch Street - Parking, Wooden Walkway
- Mackeral Walkway - Wooden Walkway
- Bonito Street - Parking, Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway
- Coral Walkway - Wooden Walkway
- Sailfish Walkway - Parking, Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway
- Marlin Walkway - Wooden Walkway
- Dolphin Street - Wooden Walkway
- Albacore Street - Wooden Walkway
- Yaupon Lane (Currituck County South) - Parking, Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Bath House, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- Section P Ocean Sands
- Section O Ocean Sands
- Section F Ocean Sands
- Section D Ocean Sands
- Section B Ocean Sands
*For access with Lifeguard: Website | Lifeguards on duty from 9:30am - 5:30pm (Roving patrol travels from county line to Penny's Hill in the 4x4 area).
DUCK
The town of Duck DOES NOT have any PUBLIC beach accesses. Many communities do have private neighborhood accesses and wooden walk-overs for residents, renters, and guests.
- Barrier Island - Gated Community, Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway
- Caffey's Inlet - Lifeguard, Soundside Beach, and Pier
- Christopher Drive - Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway
- Four Seasons Lane - Gated Community, Lifeguard, Two Walkways, Parking
- South Snow Geese** - Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway
- Scarborough Lane** - Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway
- Plover Drive** - Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway, Parking for residents only
- Sprigtail Drive - Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway, NO PARKING
*For access with Lifeguard: Website | Lifeguards on duty from 10:00am - 6:00pm: May 26th through September 4th. (Roving patrol on ATVs May 1st - October 31st)
**Lifeguard stands at these beach accesses are only manned June 16th - August 12th
SOUTHERN SHORES
Southern Shores DOES NOT have any PUBLIC beach accesses. Many communities do have private neighborhood accesses and wooden walk-overs for residents, renters, and guests.
- Hillcrest Drive - Southern Shores Civic Association Parking, Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway, Paved Parking, Handicap Beach Access
- Chicahauk Trail - Chicahauk Property Owner Parking, Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway, Paved Parking
- E. Dogwood Trail** - Limited Town Parking, Lifeguard
- 142 Ocean Blvd.** - Limited Parking, Lifeguard
- Ocean View Loop - Limited Town Parking, Lifeguard, Handicap Beach Access
*For access with Lifeguard: Website | Lifeguards on duty from 10:00am - 6:00pm: Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend. (Roving patrol late May through September)
**Lifeguard stands at these beach accesses are only manned mid-June through mid-August
KITTY HAWK
- Byrd Street (MP 2)- Parking, Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- Fonck Street - Parking
- Maynard Street - Parking
- Bennett Street - Parking, Pet Waste Bags
- Luke Street (MP 2.5) - Parking, Pet Waste Bags
- Eckner Street - Parking, Lifeguard, Pet Waste Bags
- Bleriot Street (MP 3) - Parking, Pet Waste Bags
- Wilkins Street - Parking, Pet Waste Bags
- Hawks Street - Parking, Pet Waste Bags
- Balchen Street (MP 3.5) - Parking, Pet Waste Bags
- Lillian Street (MP 4) - Parking, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- Kitty Hawk Bath House - Parking, Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Showers, Bath House, Pet Waste Bags
*For access with Lifeguard: Website | Lifeguards on duty from 10:00am - 6:00pm: Memorial Day to Labor Day (10:00 am to 5:00pm Labor Day - September 30th). (Roving patrol May through September)
KILL DEVIL HILLS
- Arch Street (MP 5.5) - Sand Access, No Parking
- Helga Street - Lifeguard, Sand Access, No Parking
- Chowan Street (MP 6) - Sand Access, No Parking
- Hayman Blvd. - Parking, Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Showers, Porta Potty
- Walker Street - Sand Access, No Parking
- Avalon Drive - Parking, Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway
- 5th Street (MP 6.5) - Parking, Lifeguard
- 4th Street - Wooden Walkway
- 3rd Street (MP 7) - Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- 2nd Street - Parking, Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- 1st Street (MP 7.5) - Parking, Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- Asheville Drive (MP8) - Parking, Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Porta Potty, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- Prospect Ave - Parking, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- Glenmere Ave - Parking, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- Woodmere Ave - Parking, Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- Ferris Ave - Parking, Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- Raleigh Ave - Parking, Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- Carlow Ave - Parking, Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- Sutton Ave - Parking, Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- Pinehurst Ave - Gravel Parking, Sand Access
- Ocean Bay Blvd (MP 8.5) - Parking, Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Bath House, Pet Waste Bags
- Carlton Ave - Limited Paved Parking, Sand Access
- Oregon Ave - Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Showers
- Clark Street (MP 9) - Parking, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- Calvin Street - Limited Paved Parking, Sand Access, Pet Waste Bags
- Martin Street - Parking, Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- Atlantic Street (MP 9.5) - Parking, Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Porta Potty, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- Lake Drive - Limited Parking, Lifeguard Sand Access
- 8th Street (MP 10) - Parking, Lifeguard, Handicap, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
*For access with Lifeguard: Website | Lifeguards on duty from 10:00am - 5:30pm: Memorial Day to Labor Day. (Roving patrol through October 15th)
NAGS HEAD
- Albatross Street (MP 10) - Parking, Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway, Pet Waste Bags
- Gallery Row - Sand Access, Pet Waste Bags, No Parking
- Abalone Street (MP 10.5) - Parking, Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway, SHowers, Porta Potty, Pet Waste Bags
- Admiral Street - Parking, Pet Waste Bags
- Baltic Street - Parking, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Porta Potty, Pet Waste Bags
- Barnes Street (MP 11) - Parking, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Porta Potty, Pet Waste Bags
- Blackman Street - Parking, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Porta Potty, Pet Waste Bags
- Bonnett Street - Parking, Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Bath House, Pet Waste Bags
- Bittern Street (MP 11.5) - Parking, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- Bladen Street - Parking, Hanidcap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Porta Potty, Pet Waste Bags
- Bainbridge Street - Parking, Wooden Walkway, Pet Waste Bags
- Curlew Street (MP12) - Parking, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Porta Potty, Pet Waste Bags
- Hollowell Street - Parking, Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- Conch Street (MP 12.5) - Parking, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Pet Waste Bags
- Enterprise Street (MP 14) - Parking, Handicap Parking, Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Porta Potty, Pet Waste Bags
- Loggerhead Street - Parking, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- Town Hall - Parking, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Porta Potty, Pet Waste Bags
- Forrest Street - Parking, Handicap Parking, Life Guard, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Porta Potty, Pet Waste Bags
- Grouse Street (MP 16) - Sand Acces, No Parking
- Glidden Street - Parking, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- Gull Street - Parking, Handicap Parking, Pet Waste Bags
- Gray Eagle Street (MP 16.5) - Parking, Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway, Porta Potty, Pet Waste Bags
- Jennette's Pier - Parking, Handicap Parking, Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Bath House, Pet Waste Bags
- Gulfstream Street - Parking, Handicap Parking, Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Pet Waste Bags
- Governor Street (MP 17) - Parking, Porta Potty, Pet Waste Bags
- Huron Street - Parking, Wooden Walkway, Porta Potty, Pet Waste Bags
- Holden Street - Parking, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Pet Waste Bags
- Hargove Street (MP 17.5) - Parking, Handicap Parking, Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Bath House, Pet Waste Bags
- Ida Street - Parking, Lifeguard, Pet Waste Bags
- Isabella Street (MP 18.5) - Parking
- Islington Street - Wooden Walkway
- Indigo Street - Parking, Handicap Parking, Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Porta Potty, Pet Waste Bags
- Jay Street (MP 19) - Sand Access, No Parking
- June Street - Parking, Handicap Parking, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Porta Potty, Pet Waste Bags
- James Street - Sand Access, No Parking
- Jacobs Street (MP 19.5) - Sand Access, No Parking
- Juncos Street - Parking, Handicap Parking, Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Porta Potty, Pet Waste Bags
- Surfside Drive - Sand Access, No Parking
- Limulus Drive (MP 20) - Parking, Lifeguard, Pet Waste Bags
*For access with Lifeguard: Website | Lifeguards on duty from 10:00am - 6:00pm: Memorial Day to Labor Day. (Roving patrol until 6pm through September 30th and until 5:00pm October 15th)
CAPE HATTERAS NATIONAL SEASHORE
- Coquina Beach (MP 26) - Parking, Handicap Parking, Lifeguard, Wooden Walkway, Showers, Bath House, Pet Waste Bags
- Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Beach - Parking, Lifeguard
- Frisco Beach (South of Frisco Village) - Parking, Handicap Parking, Lifeguard, Showers, Bath House
- Ocracoke Day Use Beach - Parking, Handicap Parking, Lifeguard, Showers, Bath House
*For access with Lifeguard: Website | Lifeguards on duty from 9:00am - 5:00pm: Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.
