Vacation rentals in Outer Banks

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Popular amenities for Outer Banks vacation rentals

Homes in Outer Banks

Top guest favorite
Home in Nags Head
4.77 out of 5 average rating, 197 reviews

Blue Sand Castle- Pets, Pool Table, & Ping Pong

EllenRating, 5 stars2 weeks ago
Great place! Centrally located, quiet neighborhood and amazing hosts.
Guest favorite
Home in Duck
4.91 out of 5 average rating, 152 reviews

Lowood

AmiliaRating, 5 stars1 month ago
We loved staying at Michael's place! Great location- a quick 10 minute walk through a quiet neighborhood to get to a private beach. The restaurant across the street was great and it is a 30-minute walk to get to the main street of Duck. A great home for our dog as well. We would absolutely stay here again!
Guest favorite
Home in Avon
4.86 out of 5 average rating, 261 reviews

Casa Creekside w/ hot tub and bikes!

AlexRating, 5 stars2 months ago
Very nice place! I loved the trees. Made it feel more secluded than it really is. The wind really blows so make sure to lock that bedroom out door. We loved the hot tub! The night sky, impeccable. Beautiful weather for a February. The home was awesome overall! 5 stars. Checked out Ocracoke via ferry. Nothing to do there but very dope experience. Drove up and down rt 12. Would come again in the summer.
Guest favorite
Home in Moyock
4.86 out of 5 average rating, 113 reviews

Cozy Country Cottage

CrystalRating, 5 stars2 months ago
Nice quite location
Superhost
Home in Wanchese
4.75 out of 5 average rating, 16 reviews

NEW build. The Beacon house

WesleyRating, 5 stars9 months ago
came to wanchese for fishing. perfect accommodation for us. fishing was not so great but thats another story... back soon to try again. Thanks!
Guest favorite
Home in Jarvisburg
5 out of 5 average rating, 5 reviews

OBX Paws and Relax

TiffanyRating, 5 stars9 months ago
This house was perfect for our family's last minute quick vacation. Brook was super responsive and always thorough. The directions were to the tee and house just like pics, practically new. We knocked down major webs to get through the garage door, but it's to be expected in that area. Frogs come out at night! Specifics: - KITCHEN: Spacious with EVERYTHING we needed!! Electric griddle, spice rack, 2 coffee makers, storage containers, instant pot, baking dishes, cutting boards, pots, glasses, and much more! As people who cooked, we were thrilled. Grill was in pristine condition. Basic starter supplies provided and came in handy. - BATHROOMS: Very clean. Cute miniatures bags and towels were very plush. - BEDROOMS: Bedding and pillows very comfy. - LOCATION: Grocery store, gas stations and OBX waterpark were all less than 10 mins. We used the beach pass at two locations with no problem. Travel depends on traffic and averaged 20mins. Nags head is about 30 mins. We had a great stay :)
Superhost
Home in Avon
4.85 out of 5 average rating, 210 reviews

By the Beachside

AndrewRating, 5 stars7 months ago
We had a wonderful time staying at Kimberly’s home. Just a few minutes walk to the beach. The house was perfect for our family. Plenty of room for everyone.
Superhost
Home in Kitty Hawk
4.8 out of 5 average rating, 181 reviews

Oceanview,private POOL,AWESOME THEATER.Family Fun!

AmyRating, 5 stars4 weeks ago
Great place. For its size and value, it literally has a ton of great features . The theatre room is amazing, especially with having kids. Has a beach volleyball court! The arcade has thousands of games and brought me back 25 years (Pac-Man, Mario, Galaga, Street Fighter, and 1,000’s more). We went when it typically would not be considered swimming weather, however, we had the option to have the pool heated at least a day or so before arriving and it made a huge difference and allowed for my girls and I to swim in early April (and I did jump in the ocean to compare and it was a 25-30 degree difference! Lol). The owner is very quick to respond, has the instructions available prior to arrival, recommendations for food, churches, , and activities. If you don’t mind a 3-5 minute stroll to the beach, it is honestly not that far away. Walmart, Target, Grocery stores, putt putt, dunes, Wings, fishing pier, are very close by. The aquarium was a 20 min drive but was worth it. Fun experience.

Cottages in Outer Banks

Top guest favorite
Cottage in Kitty Hawk
4.99 out of 5 average rating, 129 reviews

the cottage

LaurenRating, 5 stars3 weeks ago
Location, location, location … For a cottage at the beach that’s all you need to hear. It is the reason we came back and will again. Amy has made her wonderful cottage inside as great as the view out the windows and from the deck.
Top guest favorite
Cottage in Manteo
4.98 out of 5 average rating, 319 reviews

Croatan Sound Cottage, Peaceful with Great Views!

JeremyRating, 5 stars1 week ago
Great hosts! Very beautiful place!
Top guest favorite
Cottage in Kitty Hawk
4.96 out of 5 average rating, 367 reviews

Seewoo Cottage

PatrickRating, 5 stars2 weeks ago
Jeff’s cottage was cozy, clean and absolutely charming. It was an easy walk to the ocean as well as to multiple other activities, sights and things to do. The family felt right at home and had every thing that they needed to spend time together and then head out to the light house, parade with the wild horses and see the Wright brothers make history.
Superhost
Cottage in Kill Devil Hills
4.85 out of 5 average rating, 113 reviews

Sea Captain's Cottage 2; Oceanfront Cottage Court

AdamRating, 5 stars1 month ago
My son & I came down to the Outer Banks for a baseball tournament. Whitney made flexible dates for us to account for our travel. The house was perfect & right on the oceanfront. Awesome host & experience!
Top guest favorite
Cottage in Corolla
4.99 out of 5 average rating, 100 reviews

Seahorse Shanty

JeanneRating, 5 stars1 week ago
Kendra and Tim have thought of everything a guest might need or want for a perfect beach vacation! Awesome outdoor shower, hose to rinse off feet after a day at the beach, super comfy beach chairs (and plenty of them!), beach umbrellas, beach toys, and beach towels - truly everything! Additionally, the decor is beautiful and light-filled and Seahorse Shanty includes a fully-stocked kitchen. It’s a short and easy 5-minute walk to a beautiful beach (far less crowded than public access beaches), and you can hear the waves at night with the bedroom window open. We had a perfect stay and were so sad to leave. HIGHLY recommend!
Top guest favorite
Cottage in Kitty Hawk
5 out of 5 average rating, 151 reviews

Historic Beach Cottage 700ft to ocean #singlestory

CaldwellRating, 5 stars3 weeks ago
If I could give it more stars I would. This is a true gem and a great find. Went for a girls trip/birthday celebration and we LOVED everything about this place. All of the attention to details made this a magical escape. We will all be coming back. The porch is fabulous!
Superhost
Cottage in Frisco
4.88 out of 5 average rating, 110 reviews

Outer Banks Island Cottage - 1 Mi to Frisco Beach!

JoeRating, 5 stars1 week ago
Very enjoyable stay and clean place amazing hosts, would just recommend dish soap and washing materials be put in the house since we were requested to do the dishes and had to purchase all the cleaning supplies ourselves, also maybe some laundry detergent in the laundry room
Top guest favorite
Cottage in Kill Devil Hills
5 out of 5 average rating, 207 reviews

The OBX Coast Office! Charming Beach Road Cottage

JacquelineRating, 5 stars1 week ago
We had a wonderful stay here. It was perfect for our small family and a short walk to the beach which made adventuring with a 9 month old a breeze for naps. Camille was very responsive and so kind when messaged for questions. Overall, had a wonderful stay that felt like home away from home. The coffee pot and coffee with vanilla flavor made each morning feel like a real treat.

Private vacation rentals in Outer Banks

Guest favorite
Home in Corolla
5 out of 5 average rating, 16 reviews

Lazy Palm Carova 4x4 Beach

MichelleRating, 5 stars7 months ago
The horses stopped by several times a day. It was magical. Just a short drive to the ocean where we conveniently parked our car on the beach. We had plenty of room on the beach. People were not on top of each other. It was a wonderful vacation! The house was spacious and nicely decorated. the kitchen was well stocked.
Top guest favorite
Place to stay in Kitty Hawk
5 out of 5 average rating, 111 reviews

Luxury Small Cottage at Kitty Hawk Reserve

ShawnRating, 5 stars3 weeks ago
The cottage was exactly what we needed to enjoy our 34th anniversary. It was very clean and private. Even though the weather was a little on the cool side, the cottage made it feel warm and comfortable!
Superhost
Home in Kitty Hawk
4.78 out of 5 average rating, 147 reviews

Charming OBX Beach Bungalow in Southern Shores

NarumonRating, 5 stars2 weeks ago
A beautiful cosy house that includes everything you would need for a little R&R in OBX. Fantastic location, within driving distance to restaurants. And most importantly, the beach is definitely walkable but it also very quick drive to your own parking area. Highly recommended!
Guest favorite
Home in Kill Devil Hills
4.88 out of 5 average rating, 26 reviews

Great location. Walk or drive to beach in minutes

HeatherRating, 5 stars5 months ago
We had a great stay. The fenced in back yard was wonderful with our dogs and was a peaceful place to sip our morning coffee.
Guest favorite
Tiny home in Rodanthe
4.96 out of 5 average rating, 45 reviews

Tiny Islander

AlexisRating, 5 stars2 weeks ago
Loved so much about the place. The fenced yard was a highlight for our dog, and the hot tub was a highlight for my husband and I. The layout of the place was so comfortable- open and efficient, with lovely views, and the kitchen was roomy enough and adequate for the limited food prep we did. Rodanthe itself is very chill, and this place happens to be like a 1/4 mi. away from a sweet dive bar with a great view of Pamlico Sound. I would highly recommend this tiny home!!
Guest favorite
Guest suite in Kill Devil Hills
4.87 out of 5 average rating, 448 reviews

Sweet Dreams | Private | Kayaks | Bikes | MP7.5

AshleighRating, 5 stars1 week ago
Absolutely fabulous host and stay! We love the Outer Banks!
Guest favorite
Apartment in Kitty Hawk
4.96 out of 5 average rating, 28 reviews

Sunrise Oasis, Pet Friendly Minutes To OBX Beaches

BrigittaRating, 5 stars1 week ago
I decided on a last minute trip to the Outer Banks and I was so glad I booked my stay at this place! It was easy to find and enter the unit, and is located conveniently in Nags Head which is central to a lot of the other must-see areas. Everything was very clean on arrival and I felt safe enough to walk my dog around the neighborhood at night.
Guest favorite
Home in Knotts Island
4.95 out of 5 average rating, 112 reviews

Island Lotus Yoga & Spa

CallieRating, 5 stars2 weeks ago
Stop searching for a place and book this one. Right now. If you're looking for a tranquil oasis to get away from it all, this is the property for you. The house itself was relaxing and spectacular. I never wanted to leave the sunroom! Yoga with Mari was so much fun and we even got to visit baby goats on the farm with Kristen. The only warning I have is- be prepared to never want to leave. I'm already excited to return! There were fresh eggs left for us, as well as freshly baked blueberry bread. The soap from the goat farm was divine! Be sure to spend plenty of time in the hot tub and get out and look at all of the stars. Nature is truly beautiful in this place. If I could give it ten stars, I would. Thank you, Quang and Mari for such an incredible stay!

Your guide to Outer Banks

All About Outer Banks

The Outer Banks, a popular vacation spot off of the coast of North Carolina, isn’t just made up of many barrier islands but many charming towns, each with a distinctive personality. Hatteras, for example, traces its seafaring heritage in the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. Nearby Buxton is known for great surfing and windsurfing, as well as America's tallest brick lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Nags Head, founded in the 19th century, boasts galleries as well as great fishing spots from its wooden piers. The Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk preserves the spot where Orville and Wilbur Wright succeeded at sending up the first powered flight in 1903.

Many people come to the Outer Banks simply to lounge on the beach, but there are plenty of opportunities for exploring the wilderness in a more active way. As part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the Outer Banks offers 75 miles of protected Atlantic coastline, with plenty of trails for hikers and bikers. Climb up the East Coast’s highest sand dune in Jockey’s Ridge State Park to watch the sunset from its apex.


The best time to stay in a vacation rental in Outer Banks

There’s something to see and do in the Outer Banks all year long, aided by the weather, which remains consistent due to the Gulf Stream flowing offshore. Peak time for beachgoers is summer, of course, when the weather is hot and humid. Although the air cools in the fall, the water remains warm, making it a great season for fishing, windsurfing, and kiteboarding. The autumn schedule is also packed with events like Hatteras Island’s Day at the Docks a seafood-themed weekend in September that includes a marathon and al fresco dinners. The winter weather here can get chilly, but it rarely snows, so search out a less-crowded beach and build a bonfire. (Get a permit first.)


Top things to do in Outer Banks

The Elizabethan Gardens

Located within the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site on Roanoke Island, the Elizabethan Gardens inspires delight in every season, whether you’re basking in the aroma of winter jasmine in January or admiring the profusion of hydrangeas in June. You can spend several hours strolling along the paths that traverse this 10-acre sculpture garden. Before visiting, you may want to check its website to see if the John White Butterfly Center is hosting workshops (seed saving, floral arrangement) that day.

Hatteras Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

There are well over 2,000 shipwrecks off the coast of North Carolina, and the Hatteras Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum honors their memory. This small, free museum features exhibits on the maritime history of the Outer Banks, displaying artifacts rescued from pirate ships as well as World War II-era German submarines. A fun way to explore the collections is through the museum’s scavenger hunt.

Driving the Beach

The Outer Banks are one of the few spots on the East Coast that allow driving on the beach. You can bring your own four-wheel-drive vehicle or rent one from a local business that outfits cars specifically for beach driving. Before you head onto the sands, though, you’ll need to obtain a beach-driving permit online. While you’re at it, add on a free beach fire permit so you can toast marshmallows by the water. Rules around access differ between beaches and can change over the course of the year, so plan ahead to avoid disappointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How is the weather in Outer Banks?

    The weather in Outer Banks is quite mild. Summer temperatures average around 85°F (29°C) while winter temperatures hover around 50°F (10°C). The area is also known for its breeze, making it a popular destination for wind and water sports.

  • What are some of the best things to do in Outer Banks?

    Outer Banks has a rich variety of activities. You can explore the Wright Brothers National Memorial, learn about the local marine life at the North Carolina Aquarium, or wander the vast sandy stretches of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. History buffs may appreciate a visit to the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site.

  • What is the best time of year to visit Outer Banks?

    The most popular time to visit Outer Banks is during the summer months from June to August, when the weather is warmest. Visitors can enjoy local events like the Outer Banks Seafood Festival in October and the Duck Jazz Festival in the fall.

  • What are the best places to stay in Outer Banks?

    Popular areas to stay in Outer Banks include Kitty Hawk, known for its beachfront properties, and Duck, reputed for its upscale resorts and shopping. Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills are also frequently suggested for their proximity to major attractions and variety of accommodations.

  • What are the best places to visit in Outer Banks?

    In Outer Banks, you can visit popular landmarks like the historic Bodie Island Lighthouse, the Jockey's Ridge State Park with its large sand dunes, and the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, home to various bird species. The town of Manteo, with its charming waterfront, is also a frequently suggested place to visit.

  • What are some hiking trails in Outer Banks?

    For hiking enthusiasts, Outer Banks has several trails to explore. Nags Head Woods Preserve features diverse trails weaving through maritime forests, while the Cape Hatteras National Seashore allows for beachside hikes. For a more relaxed stroll, the Duck Boardwalk offers well-maintained paths along the water.

  • What are some family activities to do in Outer Banks?

    Families visiting Outer Banks can explore the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, have some fun at the Dowdy's Amusement Park, or take a Pirate Adventure cruise. They can also visit the Kitty Hawk Kites Adventure Tower or engage in watersports at the H2OBX Waterpark.

  • What are some of the best day trip ideas in Outer Banks?

    Consider a day trip to Roanoke Island, home to the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and the Elizabethan Gardens. The town of Corolla is another great day trip option with its wild horse tours and the historic Corolla Lighthouse. You can also take a ferry to Ocracoke Island and explore its quaint village and lighthouse.

Destinations to explore