Outer Banks North Carolina

Okracoke is certainly not as crowded as the Nags Head area, but you will find fewer restaurants there.
Distance between Nags Head and Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Buxton, is 52 miles.
Many who have been going to the Outer Banks for many years like the peace and quiet found near Hatteras Lighthouse and its surrounding villages.

Those looking for the most peace and quiet should stay in Frisco, Waves or Salvo. Those who like to have a lot of restaurants and shops nearby should stay in Avon or Buxton. Serious anglers like staying in Hatteras Village, where all the marinas and offshore fishing boats are located.

Across an inlet, crossed by ferryboat, down south is Ocracoke. Unfortunately, it is very popular during the summer and can become crowded. The ferry from the mainland docks here, thus many people stay right in Ocracoke after getting off the ferry. The beach is not as pretty (or as wide) here as it is at Hatteras Village, Buxton, Avon, Waves and Salvo. Prettier beaches are in the north, too, at Duck and Corolla near the lighthouse.

You may find these pages useful:
https://obxstuff.com/blogs/guides/distance-corolla-to-ocracoke-island
https://hatterasguide.com/getting-here

Hatteras Lighthouse is the famous one, but
you have several other interesting lighthouses to explore along the Outer Banks:
Bodie Island Lighthouse
Ocracoke Lighthouse
Corolla Lighthouse, which is way north of Nags Head and Kitty Hawk.
Kitty Hawk, Corolla, and Duck may be quieter places to stay than Nags Head, also.

Good choice, we've been to Ocracoke Island a couple of times and were just there last May. Really prefer the island to being further north on the outer banks, way too busy for our taste. There are beaches the entire length of the island, it's National Seashore so no development) so just start driving away from the harbor and pull into any of the waysides with beach access and walk down. If you're driving or renting a 4WD vehicle you can just drive on the beach to get further away from people. Earlier in the morning you may be the only ones walking the beach. Very easy to take the free ferry to visit further north and see several lighthouses. We have done the Wright Brothers National Memorial at Kill Devil Hills twice as day trips and recommend it. Of course you can also see the ponies on the island. Last time we stayed at a VRBO (1 bedroom condo: Loon's Loft Penthouse Boyette Condo 2E) through Ocracoke Island Realty instead of one of the hotels/motels and really liked it. Had a nice balcony for sitting with coffee or a drink. Was very comfortable and well stocked, about $900 for the week. As mentioned above, you need to drive a couple of miles to get to the beaches but otherwise you can walk for everything else (coffee houses, shops, restaurants, etc). Also, lots of golf carts to rent for getting around if needed. PM me if you have any more specific questions I might be able to answer. Enjoy wherever you end up, it's a unique place.

Lucky you!

I grew up going to the Outer Banks several times a year. In the 70’s, my parents bought a cottage in Duck (on Snow Geese South) along with 9 other Navy families, and we rotated weeks for the next 20 years. So, whenever we lived on the east coast and we could make it happen, my family went to Duck for a week every 10 weeks.

Sadly, my parents’ generation started selling out of their shares in the late ‘90’s, and by the time my mom and 2 other families still owned the cottage, none of us kids could afford to buy them out of what was now a $1M+ property. So it was sold. We’ve been back several times since then, most recently in 2015, staying just down the street from my parents’ old place.

Clearly I’m biased, but I love staying in Duck. It is very quiet and residential, the beach is wide and empty, and you can walk to the ocean or the sound (which is great for sailing, fishing, crabbing, and sunsets). There are shops and restaurants in town, but I love it mostly for the wonderful beach and total lack of crowds.

If not Duck, I’d recommend Corolla. It’s more remote, which may or may not be what you’re looking for. The beach is fantastic (you just drive to where you want to hang out for the day) and the horses wander freely; you’ll definitely see some just driving through the residential areas.

I’ve visited the southern areas but have never stayed there, so can’t make any specific recommendations.

Thank you for the very detailed and informative information regarding Okarcoke Island as well as other areas. We will review all of the suggestions carefully and try and decide!!
Linda

I'm going to Duck for 10 days in July. I'll be staying at the Sanderling. I'm 70, a female, and traveling alone, so I was looking for a resort. I'm so excited. I feel that I will be very safe there.