The Outer Banks is famous for its beautiful beaches and stunning views. One of the best ways to experience the beauty of the Outer Banks is to wake up early and watch a stunning sunrise over the Atlantic ocean. With miles of pristine coastline, there are plenty of spots to catch a breathtaking sunrise. From Carova to Hatteras Village, here is our list of the best places to see a sunrise on the Outer Banks.

Sunrise on the beach in Carova, NC

Carova 4x4 Beach

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If you have a 4x4 vehicle and are up for a mini adventure, head to the northernmost beach on the Outer Banks. Carova 4x4 Beach can only be accessed by driving bwyond the northernmost paved point of NC12 and onto the sand. Parking anywhere along the remote beach, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning sunrise over the ocean, and with a little luck, views of Carova's herd of wild Spanish mustangs.

Corolla Beach Access Points

The town of Corolla has several beach access points that offer excellent sunrise views, along with amenities like parking, showers, and restrooms. Here's a list with map links:

With public parking, located on the following streets in Corolla:

Without parking, at the following locations:

Kitty Hawk Pier

Kitty Hawk Pier

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One of the most iconic piers on the Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk Pier is part of the Hilton Garden Inn Outer Banks property. Beach access is free, and there is a small fee to walk onto the pier. You’ll get a perfect view of the sun rising over the ocean, and you might even see some surfers catching early morning waves.

Sunrise in KDH NC

Avalon Pier

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Another great pier to watch the sunrise is Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills. The pier opens early between March and November, so you can catch the sunrise while standing out above the ocean surf.

Outer Banks Fishing Pier

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Outer Banks Fishing Pier is a popular spot for fishing and watching the sunrise. The pier is open before sunrise in season.

Jennette's Pier

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Located in Nags Head, Jennette's Pier is another great spot to watch the sunrise. This concrete pier offers several benches, a panoramic view of the ocean, and has a great atmosphere for a peaceful morning.

Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse in Manteo NC

Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse

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For a spectacular non-ocean sunrise view, head to the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse and boardwalk at the downtown Manteo waterfront. The lighthouse offers a stunning view of the sunrise over the Shallowbag Bay.

Bodie Island Lighthouse

Bodie Island Lighthouse

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Another lighthouse that offers a great sunrise view is the Bodie Island Lighthouse in South Nags Head. The lighthouse isn't open for climbing at sunrise, but you can catch a beautiful view from the park's marshfront gazebo and wooden walkway.

Bonner Bridge Pier

Bonner Bridge Pier

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If you’re willing to wake up early, head to the South end of Bonner Bridge and take an immediate left. The Bonner bridge pier is an old section of the Basnight bridge offers great views of the new Bonner Bridge, a stream of charter fishing boats leaving Oregon Inlet, and views of the old Oregon Inlet Lifesaving Station. It's open 24 hours per day and features plenty of parking.

Pea Island Wildlife Refuge

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

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One of the most picturesque spots on the Outer Banks, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to watch the sunrise. You can park at the Pea Island visitors center and walk along the beautiful, natural, secluded beach.

Sunrise at Rodanthe Fishing Pier

Rodanthe Pier

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Located in the heart of Rodanthe, the Rodanthe Pier offers a great view of the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean. The pier is open early, so you can catch the sunrise while sitting in a comfortable chair or strolling the length of the pier.

Lost Treasure Golf

Lost Treasure Golf

The noted explorer, archaeologist, anthropologist, paleontologist, and part-time plumbing contractor from the University of Chicago, Professor Duffer A. Hacker, led two expeditions to the outer banks in the late 1920’s. The purpose of these expeditions was to search for an answer as to what happened to the lost colony of Roanoke Island and to look for treasure believed to have been hidden by Blackbeard the Pirate. Professor Hacker’s first surprise was the discovery of an old mining train built by the Confederate Army during the Civil War. They were searching for gold to finance their war effort. Take the mining car* to the top of the mountain and follow Professor Hacker as you putt your way through an adventurous expedition to find gold and diamonds.

Awful Arthur's Oyster Bar

Awful Arthur's Oyster Bar

Welcome to the home of the happy oyster where for over 40 years the oyster has been our world. The Outer Banks only authentic oyster bar is the place to enjoy sensational fare from the sea washed down with your favorite brew or cocktail. We serve by the peck, pound, and dozen, raw or steamed to perfection. Kicked back casual, down to earth friendly staff, and reasonable prices make Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar the all-time favorite of locals and travelers alike.

The idea wasn’t to set out and establish a new concept restaurant on the Outer Banks, but that’s exactly what Awful Arthur’s owner Jo Whitehead and her late husband, Jay, accomplished more than 35 years ago when they opened the area’s first authentic oyster bar.

 

Awful Arthur’s opened in May 1984 on the Outer Banks. “We embraced the concept of an authentic copper top bar with the idea of it being a major drawing card and it still is,” explains Whitehead. “I get oysters wherever they are local. We follow the warm waters.” 

 

Just across from the ocean, in Kill Devil Hills, oyster season is year-round at Awful Arthur’s. Diners can take a seat at the copper-topped bar to observe the staff shucking oysters, served raw or steamed, along with shrimp, crab legs and clams all steamed to perfection. 

 

It’s not just the raw bar that’s earned Awful Arthur’s both local and national recognition, including being named one of America’s greatest oyster bars by Coastal Living magazine. The restaurant is a seafood-lover’s paradise, offering the freshest catches available.

Cosmo's Pizzeria Southern Shores

Cosmo's Pizzeria Southern Shores

If you're searching for great pizza on the Outer Banks, look no further than Cosmo's Pizzeria at The Marketplace in Southern Shores! We offer authentic New York-style pizza made fresh and just the way you like, using only the highest quality ingredients. Try one of our specialty pizzas, such as the classic Margarita or BBQ Chicken, or keep it simple with your choice of toppings. If New York-style pizza isn't your thing, we also offer a variety of salads, pasta dishes and subs.

Kitty Hawk Kites

Kitty Hawk Kites

Kitty Hawk Kites has been Teaching the World to Fly since 1974 and is home to the world’s largest hang gliding school. As the Outer Banks leader in quality outdoor recreation and adventure, Kitty Hawk Kites offers more than 30 activities to choose from, so get out that pen and start crossing things off your OBX bucket list today! Visit KittyHawk.com or call 1.877.FLY.THIS to book your Kitty Hawk Kites adventure today.

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