Nags Head, NC: dunes, piers & classic Outer Banks
The tallest sand dunes on the East Coast, three fishing piers and old-school seafood — 15 to 25 minutes south of our Kitty Hawk homes.
Nags Head is about 15–25 minutes south of Kitty Hawk. Don’t miss Jockey’s Ridge State Park (free), Jennette’s Pier, Bodie Island Lighthouse and classic seafood at Sam & Omie’s or Lone Cedar.
Nags Head starts around Milepost 10 and runs south to Whalebone Junction (about Milepost 16.5) and on toward Oregon Inlet. It is one of the oldest resort towns on the Outer Banks, known for its historic shingled cottages along the Beach Road, its fishing piers, and the giant dunes of Jockey’s Ridge.
South of town, NC 12 enters Cape Hatteras National Seashore with Coquina Beach, Bodie Island Lighthouse and the charter fleet at Oregon Inlet — an easy half-day trip from Kitty Hawk.
Where to eat & what to do in Nags Head
Tortugas’ Lie
Funky Beach Road shack with island-inspired seafood, sushi nights and a backyard sand volleyball court.
9 mi · 18 minNags Head Fishing Pier
An old-school Nags Head pier under new ownership, refreshed for 2026, with a pier-house cafe and beach bar where anglers can have their catch cooked.
Good to know
Pier and tackle shop open daily 6am-10pm. Cafe serves breakfast and dinner; the Off the Hook bar is open from 11:30am. Pass rates are on the site’s Info & Rates page.
10.5 mi · 18 minJockey’s Ridge State Park
The tallest living sand dune system on the Atlantic coast, a free state park where you can climb the dunes for sunset, fly kites, or wade on the shallow soundside beach.
Good to know
Free. Main access opens 8am and closes 6-9pm depending on month (9pm May-Sept). Visitor center 9am-4pm. Sand is very hot by midday in summer, so bring shoes and water. Navigate to the street address — map apps can mis-route.
10.5 mi · 18 minKitty Hawk Kites – Jockey’s Ridge Crossing & Hang Gliding School
The Outer Banks’ best-known adventure outfitter, offering beginner hang gliding on the Jockey’s Ridge dunes, plus kayak, SUP, surf, kiteboarding and e-foil lessons and a large kite store.
Good to know
Dune hang gliding lessons from about $149 and tandem flights from about $199; reserve online. Despite the name, there is no store in Kitty Hawk — the closest locations are Nags Head and Duck (1226 Duck Rd).
Gather (Village Beach Club)
Oceanfront restaurant at Village Beach Club serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails with sweeping ocean views.
Nags Head Golf Links
A windswept soundside links course where Roanoke Sound views and the breeze are part of every round.
Good to know
Book online through the club’s tee-time link or call 252-441-8073 to confirm visitor play.
Sam & Omie’s
Old-school fishermen’s diner dating to 1937, serving hearty breakfasts and casual seafood plates.
Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe
Beloved soundfront seafood house on the Nags Head-Manteo Causeway focused on local catch and sunset views.
Outlets Nags Head
The beach’s outlet center, with brand-name apparel, shoes and housewares, handy on a rainy day or on the way back from Manteo or Hatteras.
Good to know
Formerly Tanger Outlets. Check the site’s Hours page.
14 mi · 25 minJennette’s Pier
A 1,000-foot concrete pier run by the NC Aquariums, combining serious fishing with ocean-education exhibits and a guarded beach next door.
Good to know
Hours: May-Oct 6am-10pm; Nov and Apr 7am-9pm; Dec-Mar 9am-5pm. Walk-on $2. Fishing $15 adults, $10 ages 12 and under. Rod rental $12. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
19 mi · 30 minCape Hatteras National Seashore (Coquina Beach & Whalebone area)
The start of more than 70 miles of undeveloped, federally protected beach, where Coquina Beach and the Bodie Island marshes give guests a wilder, uncrowded shoreline.
Good to know
Free beach access. Off-road vehicle routes need an NPS ORV permit. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is closed for climbing in 2026 for restoration, though its grounds stay open.
21 mi · 32 minBodie Island Lighthouse
A black-and-white banded 1872 lighthouse rising over marsh, with a boardwalk overlook that is great for birding and sunset photos.
Good to know
Climbing runs late April to early November (Tue-Thu only in October-November): $10 adults, $5 seniors and kids 11 and under. Tickets are sold only on recreation.gov on the day of the climb, from 7am. The keepers’ quarters visitor center is closed until mid-2027 after fire damage; the grounds are open.
23 mi · 35 minOregon Inlet Fishing Center
The legendary charter-fishing hub at the north foot of the Marc Basnight Bridge, sending boats inshore for families and offshore for tuna and mahi.
Good to know
Book charters well ahead for summer; half-day inshore trips suit families and beginners. Headboats are available. Bait and tackle shop, and fish cleaning for a fee. Call (800) 272-5199.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Nags Head from Kitty Hawk?
Jockey’s Ridge in Nags Head is about 10.5 miles (18 minutes) from our homes; Jennette’s Pier and Whalebone Junction are about 14 miles (25 minutes).
Can you climb Jockey’s Ridge?
Yes. The dunes are open to walk on and entry is free. Go early or near sunset in summer — the sand gets very hot by midday.
What is the “Unpainted Aristocracy”?
It is the nickname for the historic wood-shingled cottages along the Nags Head oceanfront, some dating to the early 1900s.
Our oceanfront homes in Kitty Hawk
Two neighboring dog-friendly oceanfront homes at Milepost 3¾, with a third home nearby. Book one, or book all three for the same dates for up to 29 guests.
Crab House
Single-level living and an extra-large oceanfront deck, steps from the sand.
Mermaid
A 500 sq ft oceanfront deck, gourmet three-oven kitchen, wet bar and a king suite with a jetted tub.
A Carolina Conch
Classic two-story Outer Banks cottage with wraparound ocean views, carport parking and baby gear on hand.