When it comes to fishing and sightseeing, there is no better vantage point than one of the Outer Banks’ fishing piers, and luckily, visitors to the shoreline will have multiple options to choose from. Perched along the oceanfront in various regions of the barrier island coastline, piers along the OBX can offer a wide array of entertainment and activities, from on-site dining, to serving as a venue for unforgettable events.
With multiple ways to have fun, and views that can’t be discovered anywhere else, a stop by an Outer Banks pier is a must for anyone who loves to be surrounded by the ocean waters in every direction.
Find a pier that’s close to your vacation rental for an easy-going exploration, and plan a trip to all of the eight piers along the Outer Banks to uncover your favorite spot for fishing, photos, and all-around fun.
Jennette's Pier
Built in 1939 at 754 long, Jenette’s Pier has the honor of being the oldest pier along the Outer Banks, as well as one of the oldest piers in the state of North Carolina. After being nearly destroyed by 2003’s Hurricane Isabel, the pier and the surrounding oceanfront land was purchased by the NC Aquarium Society, which eventually revitalized and reopened the now-1,000 ft. pier in 2011 as part of the North Carlina Aquarium.
Visitors to this local landmark today will find a lot to explore, including large on-site aquariums with local species, a gift shop, and plenty of food and supplies for a full day of fishing. The pier still welcomes seasonal anglers who want to drop a line, and it also hosts a number of events and activities, such as kids’ fishing tournaments or surfing competitions, to ensure that everyone in the family is entertained. Jennette’s Pier is located on the southern edge of Nags Head, close to Whalebone Junction and the entrance to the “beach route” of N.C. Highway 12.
Kitty Hawk Pier
Originally built in 1953, the Kitty Hawk Pier almost disappeared off the map after Hurricane Isabel heavily damaged the structure in 2003. However, it was eventually acquired by the adjacent Hilton Garden Inn in 2006, and it reopened to the public’s delight in 2008 after extensive renovations.
Today, visitors will find the Kitty Hawk Pier located on the northern edge of the Town of Kitty Hawk, close to the Wright Brothers Memorial Bridge entrance to the Outer Banks. The pier offers exceptional fishing and sightseeing on a daily basis, but it also features a spacious 2,200 square foot pier house that is ideal for hosting parties, weddings, and other events, and which can be rented through the adjacent Hilton Garden Inn. Folks will need to contact the Kitty Hawk Hilton Garden Inn to plan their oceanfront event, but fishing passes for the pier can be picked up on a daily basis.
Avalon Pier
The Avalon Pier is located along the shoreline at milepost 6 in Kill Devil Hills, and at 700 feet long, it’s a popular destination for anglers who want to quickly access deeper waters in the 12-15 ft. range for exceptional fishing. First built in 1958, the pier has everything required for a great day of fishing, including an on-site bait and tackle shop with fresh and artificial bait, as well as fishing gear and rentals.
The pier is also a popular destination for sightseers, and fishing and pier passes can be purchased on a daily, weekly, or seasonal basis. With an online web cam so that anglers can check out what’s biting, and continually updated fishing reports, the Avalon Pier is a great resource for anglers, both on and off the pier, and the Outer Banks.
Nags Head Fishing Pier
Located in the heart of Nags Head at 3335 S Virginia Dare Trail, the Nags Head Fishing Pier is the second oldest pier on the Outer Banks, and it was initially constructed in 1947, the same year that the Outer Banks’ oldest pier, Jennette’s Pier, was being rebuilt following a devastating storm.
Today, the 750-foot-long pier offers a wide array of amenities for anglers and everyday vacationers, which includes ample space to drop a line, an on-site bait and tackle shop that is loaded with supplies, and even equipment rentals for folks who left their fishing gear at home. In addition, the Pier House Restaurant and Capt. Andy’s Oceanfront Tiki Bar and Grill has a wide array of dishes and drink options, (including the option to cook you own day’s catch), which makes it a great spot for visitors who want to enjoy waterfront dining with world class views.
Outer Banks Fishing Pier
Built in 1959, the Outer Banks Fishing Pier extends for 600 feet into the ocean in a quieter region of the Outer Banks, the community of South Nags Head. This pier is known for exceptional fishing, with a bait and tackle shop on-site for all of the supplies that anglers need, but it’s also popular with everyday visitors, due to its on-site restaurant, Fish heads Bar & Grill. Perched on the oceanfront, patrons can enjoy a great meal and drink with miles of views, and the restaurant and bar regularly features live music and entertainment in the summer months.
Pier passes are available on a daily, weekly, or seasonal basis, although anyone can stop by the restaurant and bar for an easy-going bite, a cool drink, and spectacular views.
Bonner Pier
Opened in 2021, the Bonner Pier is one of the more unique piers along the Outer Banks, as the 1,000-ft. long concrete structure was once the southern terminal of the original Bonner Bridge. Once the bridge was replaced by the new Basnight Bridge, a section of the old bridge was left intact so that angles could enjoy easy access to Oregon Inlet, and sightseers could enjoy views that extended from the Bodie Island Lighthouse to the historic Oregon Inlet Life-Saving Station.
Today, the fishing pier is free and open to the public 24/7, and no fishing pass or payment is required to pop by and drop a line, (although a saltwater fishing license is required, as opposed to other Outer Banks Piers which traditionally have a banket fishing license for all visiting anglers.) Amenities at the site are limited, with trash receptacles and port-a-potties, but visitors will be rewarded with great catches on the edge of the inlet, and panoramic on-the-water views.
Rodanthe Pier
The Rodanthe Pier is the northernmost pier of Hatteras Island’s two fishing pier, and is an iconic landmark due to its salmon-pink exterior, as well as its long history of brushes with hurricanes and storms. Regularly remodeled and renovated, the Rodanthe Pier extends roughly 500 feet into the ocean, and it also features an on-site bait and tackle shop with supplies, gifts and souvenirs, snacks, and ice-cold beverages. The Rodanthe Pier can be a popular hangout spot in the summer months, as it traditionally features weekly live music, and it’s a great destination for both fishing and photography, as the pier is locally famous for having a cameo role in the 2008 movie “Nights in Rodanthe.” Passes are available on a daily, weekly, or seasonal basis, and sightseers are welcome to pop by to explore the northern Hatteras Island views as well.
Avon Fishing Pier
The Avon Fishing Pier is located in the heart of Avon village, next to the Koru Beach Klub which hosts grand summertime concerts, and it’s easily one of the most popular piers for vacationers in the southern Outer Banks. First opening its doors in 1963 and known as the final pier to be built on Hatteras Island, the Avon Pier extends for 665 feet into the Atlantic Ocean, with views in every direction.
The pier house features an on-site shop with souvenirs, bait and fishing gear, snacks, and cold beverages, and it’s also close to the Avon by the Sea RV Park, which first opened in 2022, and which provides a convenient homebase for dedicated pier fishermen. In addition, the pier is a shell’s throw away from local restaurants, shops, and even a kids’ playground, so it’s a convenient spot for sightseers and anglers to enjoy a sunny day.
Remember that most of the Outer Banks’ piers operate on a seasonal basis, which means they are open for the spring, summer, and early fall months when fishing is at its best. With plenty of options that extend from Kitty Hawk to Hatteras Island, visitors in veritably every corner of the Outer Banks will be able to find a local fishing pier where the fishing and the views can’t be matched anywhere else along the North Carolina coastline.
