7 Ideal Outer Banks Sunsets and Sunrises

By Clay Abney
Jan. 08, 2024

If you have yet to see an Outer Banks sunrise or sunset in person, there’s still time. Here are 7 places to watch the sky light up, plus ideas for where to stay and where to eat nearby.

Even without a trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, its signature images may already be familiar: wild horses racing beside the ocean, bold black-and-white lighthouses, the Wright Brothers, and Blackbeard. This 100-mile string of barrier islands, set between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pamlico Sound, has long been shaped by dunes, beaches, and adventure.

It is also a place defined by the sun. North Carolina’s earliest morning light appears here, and its evening skies often put on their biggest show here, too. These are the spots to take in the color over the water — and to add a little action to the day.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

For 150 years, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse — North America’s tallest brick lighthouse — has helped guide vessels through the dangerous, shallow waters known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Its black-and-white stripes also create a striking backdrop for sunrise and sunset photos.

A helpful tip: arrive early. Morning is prime time for walking the sand and searching for shells and other finds left behind by the tides overnight. Shelling is also a hands-on way to experience the first national seashore. Beyond beachcombing, visitors can fill the day with a horseback ride along the coast or stand-up paddleboarding in the calmer sound-side waters. Check their website for updated climbing times and regulations.

For meals, start with chocolate-banana-swirl french toast at Cafe Pamlico, go for shrimp tacos at The Buxton Munch Co. at lunch, and finish the day with Pamlico paella at Rusty’s Surf & Turf.

Jockey’s Ridge State Park

Jockey’s Ridge may sound modest by acreage — 426 acres — but that only tells part of the story. The park also contains the tallest sand dune system on the East Coast, rising up to 60 feet. Think of it as an enormous, free sandbox.

Once you’ve watched sunrise, or before sunset arrives, there’s far more to do than scale the massive dunes. Follow the nature trails, launch a kite into the steady wind, or arrange a hang-gliding session with Kitty Hawk Kites and use the dunes as your takeoff point.

Climbing sandy slopes is no small effort, so food will be needed. Owens’ Restaurant, close by, has served visitors for over 70 years. For sunset views, The Tale of the Whale looks out across the Roanoke Sound.

Kill Devil Hills

The name stands out, doesn’t it? According to legend, a wrecked ship left barrels of rum onshore, and that rum — sometimes called kill devil or strong enough to kill the devil — gave the town its memorable name.

Whether or not the story is accurate, this much is certain: the Wright Brothers completed their historic flight here more than 100 years ago. Today, Kill Devil Hills is a favorite for outdoor travelers and people chasing the sunset. The long beaches once used by Orville and Wilbur now invite walks beside the surf, kayak outings, time on a surfboard, and photos at the Wright Brothers National Memorial.

When it’s time to step away from the beach, grab a meal at Kill Devil Grill. And a trip to Kill Devil Hills is not complete without visiting Outer Banks Distilling for a taste of Kill Devil Rum.

Duck Boardwalk

Running two-thirds of a mile beside Currituck Sound, the Duck Boardwalk gives visitors the feeling of strolling across the water. In the morning, the sun rises over the horizon while waves, wind, birds, pinks, and oranges set the scene. The northern end sits near the Waterfront Shops, and the route passes above and beside marshes, maritime forests, Duck Village, and Duck Town Park, a 10+ acres green space with walking and biking trails.

Sunset can draw a crowd, and with good reason. Get there early, browse the shops, eat at The Blue Point, and claim a place along the boardwalk. Fishing from the pier is an option for anyone bringing a line, and children can try crabbing with only bait and a net.

Outer Banks Fishing Pier

This popular fishing pier in Nags Head measures 600 feet and has welcomed anglers, sunrise watchers, and sunset seekers for over 50 years. It is the nearest pier to the Oregon Inlet, and more than 40+ species of fish move through the water below, from blackfin tuna to oyster toadfish. The atmosphere is classic and old-school, and the pier is lighted and open for fishing and wandering 24 hours a day.

The pier house covers fishing supplies in one convenient stop. No fishing license is required to fish from the pier, and Garry, Mary, and their staff can help new anglers get started. Garry also hosts a mini-podcast about the day’s fishing action.

The lively patio with umbrellas belongs to Fish Heads Bar & Grill. Stop in for breakfast as early as 7am, then return after fishing for dinner and a pint. With 33 different brews on tap, sweeping sunset views, and a spot steps from your rod, it is a natural place to trade stories from the day.

Rodanthe

Because Rodanthe sits at the easternmost point in the state, this tiny hamlet is the first place to meet the sun each morning. It is among the Outer Banks’ quieter, more secluded areas, though it may sound familiar: Nicholas Sparks’ Nights in Rodanthe was set here.

Rise early while visiting. Bring binoculars and a checklist to Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, where more than 350 bird species begin the day. Birders can consider it a bucket-list stop, while travelers looking for more speed can take advantage of Rodanthe’s reputation as a kiteboarding hot spot.

Stay through evening and make the day a double feature. From Good Winds Restaurant at Waves Village Resort, enjoy wine along with crab-stuffed mushrooms and lobster claws as the sun drops over the water.

Kitty Hawk

Kitty Hawk is often associated with First in Flight because of the Wright Brothers; the town sits about four miles north of Kill Devil Hills and was the closest settlement at the time. Today, like its neighbor, it has become a haven for people who love being outdoors.

Make Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve your first escape. It is one of the largest stretches of undeveloped maritime forest on the Outer Banks. Experience it on foot, from the water, and from above: paddle Albemarle Sound by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, especially near sunset, or rise into the air on a parasailing trip for a wide-open morning or evening view.

For lunch or dinner, Barefoot Bernie’s Tropical Grill & Bar adds excitement for your appetite. At some point, visit TRiO Restaurant & Market for picnic essentials such as wine, beer, and cheese.

Places to stay during your OBX trip

High-rises are not what you’ll find across the OBX. What you will find are the kinds of stays many travelers imagine for a beach escape:

• Hatteras Island Inn, The Inn on Pamlico Sound, and Nags Head Beach Inn offer a classic, comfortable boutique hotel feel.
• For more quiet and intimacy, bed & breakfasts make a strong alternative; Pier House Bed & Breakfast and White Doe Inn B&B are standout choices.
• For resort-style family time, Sanderling Resort and the previously mentioned Waves Village Resort are both good fits.
• To keep the whole group together, rent a family house through Resort Realty.

There is no single right way to experience it. Where will you end up?

About the author

Clay Abney is a freelance writer based in West Virginia, a place he describes as wild and wonderful. He spends time trail running, mountain biking, hiking, traveling to remote off-the-grid destinations around the world, testing gear hard, and working when the mood strikes. At 49, which he calls the new 29, he still enters multi-day adventure races. His full article appears on Matador Network.