Top Outer Banks Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

Uncover the spooky history of the Outer Banks as you embark on a walking tour around downtown Manteo. Listen to tales about the Lost Colony and Blackbeard as you walk around stopping at landmarks including the Pioneer Theatre and Roanoke Lighthouse. Your guide also uses an EMF detector to search for spirits just like they do on paranormal TV shows.

Explore spooky spots around Manteo in the Outer Banks on a night walking tour that brings you to fascinatingly eerie places you wouldn’t know about on your own. Listen to historic tales that leave your spine tingling while you visit a cemetery, a haunted theater, and haunted inns. Hear about the Roanoke Island ghost ship and other creepy tales.

Embark on a captivating drive along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore with this self-guided tour of North Carolina's Outer Banks. Dive into a rich tapestry of history, from tales of the Lost Colony to the legendary pirate Blackbeard as you marvel at stunning oceanside scenery. Visit the majestic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, encounter the unique marine wonders of the Pamlico Sound, and so much more. This tour ends at the Hatteras Ferry in case you want to keep the adventure going on the remote island of Ocracoke. The barrier islands await! After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

Embark on the ultimate Outer Banks adventure with a pontoon boat rental in Nags Head! Perfect for families, friends, and groups, this activity blends relaxation, exploration, and fun into one unforgettable day. Cruise the scenic Outer Banks coastline, fish in prime spots, or anchor at a secluded cove to swim, sunbathe, or enjoy a picnic surrounded by natural beauty. Our modern pontoon boats are designed for your comfort and convenience, featuring bimini shade tops for sun protection, GPS navigation for easy exploration, Bluetooth stereos for your favorite tunes, and plenty of space to relax. Keep an eye out for dolphins and other wildlife as you soak in the stunning OBX views. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful escape or an exciting outdoor adventure, a Nags Head pontoon boat rental is the perfect way to experience the Outer Banks. Create lasting memories on the water—book your rental today and start your OBX journey in style!

Let the story of the Wright Brothers uplift you on this self-guided driving tour of the Carolina Dunes, where they made their first flight. Find out how these two young men went from repairing bicycles to building the first airplanes (and why those who came before failed) as you explore the majestic North Carolina seashore where the brothers made history. Visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial, stop by the garage site where they built their prototype, and then continue to take in some stunning views at the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and Corolla Beach. After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, & enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

Download the GuideAlong self-guided audio tour and you'll discover more on your Outer Banks road trip. Hear fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, local tips and directions play automatically, all based on your location. You'll be guided to all of the area's famous highlights as well as lessor known gems including three historic lighthouses that you can climb, look for wild horses in the dunes, wander the famous piers, and learn about the Wright Brothers' aviation history at a national memorial. Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you, and bypass any that don’t. ✅ Stories, tips and directions play automatically based on your location ✅ Travel at your own pace ✅ Tour offline using GPS, no cell service or WiFi needed ✅ Suggested itineraries for half, full or multi day use ✅ Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates ✅ Like having a tour guide along for the drive Purchase one tour per vehicle.

Explore North Carolina's Outer Banks on this self-guided car tour. First, see the majestic Bodie Island Lighthouse and the peaceful Coquina Beach, where nature and history merge. Continue to Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site, a maritime hero attraction. Next, see the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, a coastal landmark. Last stop: the Wright Brothers National Memorial, where flight dreams were realized. Explore maritime history and pioneering spirit in stunning coastal scenery. After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

Our very unique, immersive adventures are the only ones of their kind. We, unlike other companies, provide your very own remote, interactive, live host to assist and encourage you along through your phone. We are an Austin, TX-based global custom event design company offering scavenger hunts and other events in 300+ cities in North America and beyond. Our specially hand-crafted adventures are equal parts tour, creative challenge, detective hunt, and social experiment! Guests get to discover in an alternate reality our favorite hidden gems off the beaten trail and creatively interpret fun art, history, and culture clues - for points! They get to enjoy fame and glory while appearing on our website’s international leaderboard, no matter what their score. They get to essentially race other teams in other cities, even if they don’t have competitors who have signed up in their city that day. Get ready to discover unusual oddities, laugh out loud, and make the experience your own!

The only jet ski operator within the town limits of Duck, North Carolina, just off the new sound-side walking path. Cruise our riding area on our 3 person jet skis. Get ready to shred the Currituck Sound! We have a fleet of well-maintained Yamaha Wave Runners for your boating pleasure! Our Jet Ski Rentals are great for thrill-seekers or those just wanting to cruise around on the water while visiting the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Experience the Outer Banks with 1-Hour Jet Ski Rentals at Nags Head! Take your Outer Banks adventure to the next level with a 1-hour jet ski rental in Nags Head! Cruise the waters on top-of-the-line Yamaha VX Deluxe Jet Skis, designed for speed, comfort, and ease of use. Whether you’re racing across the waves or soaking in the stunning OBX coastline, this adventure offers thrills and scenic beauty in one unforgettable ride. With spacious ride areas, jet skis that accommodate up to 3 passengers or 450 lbs., and safety briefings included, this 1-hour rental is perfect for families, friends, or solo explorers. Book your ride today and make waves on your Outer Banks getaway!

Explore the calm waters of the Outer Banks’ Roanoke Sound by kayak on this wildlife-filled excursion. Join a guide and your group for a paddle through salt marsh canals and flat water in the sound—while you paddle, keep an eye out for the locals, i.e. pelicans, herons, ospreys, skimmers, and more.

The OBX is some 100+ miles long, but this kayak rental gets you right next to the Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Preserve, one of the best family-friendly eco-tour locations in the Outer Banks. You and your crew will paddle along a glassy creek and through a maritime forest habitat—one of the state’s largest. Perfect for most ages and skill levels, it’s an only-in-OBX adventure.

Go beyond the beaches and see how Manteo is one of the country’s most historic—and mysterious—places. Following your local guide, you’ll hear all about the “Lost Colony” of Roanoke, how pirates (like Blackbeard) lived and pillaged right here, the Underground Railroad, and more. In just one short excursion, you’ll traverse 400+ years of history at its wildest.

End your day with a beautiful sunset and a relaxing kayak during your time in Corolla. Board your sit-in kayak and paddle around the waterways of Currituck Sound in the Outer Banks. Navigate bays, canals, and sheltered islands and keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife in the area.

Enjoy a relaxing time out on the waters of Pamlico Sound on a kayak tour to Cape Hatteras. Join a small group and paddle out onto the calm waterways just around the sunset hour. Keep your eyes peeled for local birds like ospreys, pelicans, egrets as well as sea turtles, rays, and river otters.

Download GuideAlong’s self-guided audio tour bundle to make the most of your Eastern USA road trips. As you drive, hear stories play automatically as you explore scenic drives, national parks, lakeshores, and historic parks. This is the ultimate collection of 14 iconic destinations, including Acadia, Blue Ridge Parkway, Catskills, Florida Keys, Great Smoky Mountains, Lake Superior, Outer Banks, Shenandoah, and Vermont’s Route 100. A memorable adventure awaits on America's iconic roads. Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you and bypassing any that don’t. Stories, tips, and directions play automatically based on your location Travel at your own pace Tour offline using GPS. No cell service or WiFi is needed Suggested itineraries for half, full, or multi-day use Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates Like having a tour guide along for the drive Purchase one bundle per vehicle.

⭐ Top-Rated Vacation Photoshoots 2025 We’re not just photographers, we’re storytellers capturing your holiday exactly as it feels. With over six years of experience photographing travellers around the world, our small team specialises in authentic, natural photography that truly reflects your trip. In Outer Banks, we combine creativity with local knowledge to show you hidden gems, secret angles, and the best light. You’ll not only get beautiful, professional photos but also insider tips to make the most of your time here. We’re proud to be recognised among the top-rated photography tours of 2025, trusted by travellers worldwide for our relaxed style and stunning results.

The Roanoke Island Tour offers an enriching adventure through the scenic canals and marshes of Historic Roanoke Island. As you paddle, our knowledgeable guides share captivating stories about early English settlers and the area's diverse wildlife. Enjoy a refreshing break with a walk along a tranquil sandy beach, perfect for soaking in the coastal atmosphere. This family-friendly tour, lasting 1.5 hours, is designed for all ages and includes beginner paddle lessons, ensuring everyone can join in the fun. - Paddle through picturesque marshes teeming with wildlife like otters and osprey - A leisurely paddle enhances your coastal exploration - All equipment provided, including kayaks, paddles, and life jackets, ensuring a comfortable experience

This location is the ideal location for a first time paddler to try kayaking. The water is very shallow (less than waist deep) and we have an easy access point to the water. You can also have an opportunity to check out local wildlife as the access point is very near the Bodie Island Wildlife Refuge!

We will enjoy a lovely boat ride from the Outer Banks to the Currituck Mainland on the Currituck Sound. We will arrive at Sanctuary Vineyards and enjoy a delicious sampling of the fine wines of Sanctuary Vineyards. After our wine tasting there will be some time to shop and purchase wines for your enjoyment. We will then head back to the Outer banks on our boat and return to Duck.

Our very unique, immersive adventures are the only ones of their kind. We, unlike other companies, provide your very own remote, interactive, live host to assist and encourage you along through your phone. We are an Austin, TX-based global custom event design company offering scavenger hunts and other events in 300+ cities in North America and beyond. Our specially hand-crafted adventures are equal parts tour, creative challenge, detective hunt, and social experiment! Guests get to discover in an alternate reality our favorite hidden gems off the beaten trail and creatively interpret fun art, history, and culture clues - for points! They get to enjoy fame and glory while appearing on our website’s international leaderboard, no matter what their score. They get to essentially race other teams in other cities, even if they don’t have competitors who have signed up in their city that day. Get ready to discover unusual oddities, laugh out loud, and make the experience your own!

During the Bodie Island Clear Kayak Tour, you’ll navigate through tranquil waterways, witness breathtaking coastal landscapes, and encounter a variety of wildlife. Available from June to November, this tour is perfect for all ages and lasts 1.5 to 2 hours. Keep your eyes peeled for the diverse wildlife that calls this area home, and immerse yourself in the rich history surrounding the iconic Bodie Island Lighthouse.

Paddle through the Outer Banks' Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge for a fun adventure. Join a small group and learn about the old logging and whiskey distilling community that once thrived during Prohibition as you navigate the waterways. Keep your eyes peeled for several wildlife species including alligators, bald eagles, turtles, river otters, and even a black bear.