Finding Peace on a Solo Getaway to Duck, NC

By Caroline Makepeace
May 19, 2024

Step into stillness and quiet restoration with a solo journey to Duck, North Carolina. Set beside the untouched beaches of the Outer Banks, Duck is an inviting refuge for anyone craving calm in the natural world. I recently traveled to Duck for a solo mom retreat after a difficult start to the year left me needing space, rest, and comfort. I picked Duck because it is a calmer corner of the Outer Banks, with less of the constant Go Go Go and more room to return to myself, reconnect with nature, and feel recharged. If that kind of reset sounds like what you need, here is how to experience a peaceful Duck escape.

1. Settle into Luxury at Sanderling Resort

Start your solo getaway with the comfort and ease of Sanderling Resort, a stay created for deep relaxation. Surrounded by rolling dunes and green coastal scenery, this oceanfront retreat offers a serene place to slow down.

Because the resort sits on a slim stretch of barrier island, the Intracoastal Waterway is just steps away, giving you the beauty of both settings. Beyond the location, the resort provides the essentials for a soothing trip. From soft bedding and wide private-balcony views to thoughtful details across the luxury Suites, Sanderling creates a stay that feels restorative.

Spend time unwinding beside the pool with a cool drink, or enjoy refined coastal dishes at one of the resort's award-winning restaurants, where fresh, locally sourced ingredients shape the menu. For deeper renewal, book a massage at the peaceful Spa at Sanderling, where experienced therapists help ease tension and leave you feeling refreshed.

I arrived with a few plans, including riding a bike into Duck Village and exploring what it offers. But once I walked onto my private balcony and saw the view, I let those plans go so I could simply be still and take in the beauty right in front of me. I did keep the following Pine Island experiences on my itinerary.

2. Paddle Through the Audubon Pine Island Sanctuary by Kayak

A two-hour guided kayak outing through the quiet waters of the Audubon Pine Island Sanctuary became the ideal activity for my restful trip. We were given a perfect Spring day, with blue skies, glassy water, and no wind to turn an easy paddle into a strenuous one. As we moved through the twisting waterways and took in the unspoiled beauty of this coastal place, our guide shared the sanctuary’s history and explained its role as a safe haven for migrating birds.

Currituck Sound has long been associated with birdlife; the name Currituck comes from the Native American word Coratank meaning where the geese fly. In the 1800s, that abundance drew wealthy businessmen to the area for hunting trips. Waterfowl populations declined dramatically, but in 1918, stronger regulations were introduced to reduce the harm being done to wildlife.

Protection expanded in 1979 when developer Earl Slick gave land to the National Audubon Society, which formed the now 2,600-acre coastal sanctuary to help protect and preserve the region’s distinctive ecosystem. Through the years, wildlife has come back to around 30,000 waterfowl each year, though that is still only a tenth of former numbers. Along the way, your guide will help you spot birdlife ranging from graceful egrets and majestic ospreys to small songbirds.

3. Walk the Pine Island Sanctuary Nature Trail

Put on your hiking shoes and head into the heart of the Audubon Pine Island Sanctuary. For those wanting more quiet than a guided kayak tour, or wanting to add to it, the sanctuary offers an easy, scenic 2.5-mile (one way) nature trail that follows the route of the old dirt road once connecting Duck and Corolla.

The shaded path passes beneath beautiful loblolly pines and winding live oaks as it moves through maritime forest and marshland. Overlooks along the trail open to broad views of Pine Island, Currituck Marshes, and Currituck Sound. Naturally, you can expect plenty of birds moving through the sky too.

4. Watch the Sunrise from Duck Beach

Begin the day with the unforgettable sight of the sun rising over the Atlantic Ocean. Make your way to the beach early and take in the moment as the sky fills with brilliant color. It may be tempting to sleep late, but after decades of sunrise watching around the world, I can say with confidence that the Outer Banks offers some of the best. Dolphins often pass by, and the beach will likely feel almost entirely your own. It is hard to imagine a calmer or more beautiful way to greet a new day with gratitude and wonder.

5. Let Duck Beach Ease You into Rest

From your luxury suite at Sanderling, it takes only a few steps along the private beach access path to reach soft sand and the sound of gentle waves. The resort provides beach chairs and umbrellas to make your time on the sand even more comfortable. Then let the day unfold between naps, cool swims, favorite books, and the steady rhythm of the ocean carrying your cares away.

6. Enjoy Sunset Dining at Paper Canoe Restaurant

Before leaving Duck, make sure one of your evenings ends with dinner at the iconic Paper Canoe Restaurant, set beside the calm waters of the Currituck Sound and just across the road from Sanderling. Its American gourmet cuisine is centered on dishes that are fresh, simple, and full of flavor, with choices that include locally sourced Outer Banks seafood, handcrafted pasta, and wood oven specialties. Choosing what to order may be difficult, but I recommend the shrimp and scallop risotto. The scallops in my dish were the best I’ve had yet in America and reminded me strongly of what we enjoy in Australia. Paper Canoe’s graceful, cozy setting and welcoming team paired perfectly with its front-row view of a brilliant sunset.

Closing my trip with that sweeping pink and purple sunset left me with a powerful feeling of gratitude and peace that I had not experienced in a long time. I was deeply glad to feel connected to my soul again. I hope your own quiet solo escape to Duck in the Outer Banks brings you the same.

Author

Caroline Makepeace

Caroline Makepeace co-founded two successful online publications: This is Raleigh, a guide for people who want to discover the best of Wake County, and YTravelBlog, one of the world’s most influential travel blogs. Travel has been central to her life since 1997. She has lived in 5 countries, visited over 60, spent 7 years traveling full time with her two daughters, and worked as a full-time professional travel blogger since 2010. The Outer Banks is among her favorite vacation spots from Raleigh.