3-Day Eco Adventure Itinerary in the Outer Banks
Few popular tourist destinations can boast the pristine, rugged beauty that you find in the Outer Banks. There are many eco-friendly activities to enjoy on our fabulous barrier islands that have minimal light pollution and maximum potential to experience wildlife and nature at its finest. Here are some suggestions for an eco-friendly vacation in the Outer Banks.
And be sure to check out our wildlife guide, perfectly designed to put you right in the middle of all the action.
Day One
Morning
Have breakfast at your lodging or visit one of our locally owned family restaurants and savor a good ol’ southern breakfast.
Go kayaking in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. This kayaking tour takes you to one of the most pristine areas on the Outer Banks. Home to alligators, black bears, bobcats, red wolves, beavers, and much more, you will explore the waterways surrounding a once-thriving lumber town and moonshine outpost. This area was known to the Algonquin Indians as a Pocosin, meaning "swamp on a hill".
Afternoon
Enjoy lunch on the waterfront in downtown Manteo. Choose from several cafés or sandwich shops to unwind after your kayaking trip.
Stroll through the majestic Elizabethan Gardens, which were designed as a living memorial to Queen Elizabeth and the Lost Colony. The gardens feature a sunken floral garden and herb, wildflower, and rose gardens that surround priceless pieces of antique statuary.
Head back to the hotel for relaxation, or stroll the beach and look for beach glass or unique shells. Take a bag in case you encounter any trash along the way.
Evening
For dinner, be sure to choose from one of our locally-owned restaurants, which feature North Carolina Seafood.
Find great brews and entertainment at the Outer Banks Brewing Station, the country's first wind-powered brewery.
Day Two
Morning
Stop into a cafe or coffee shop for quick to-go options
Explore Jockey’s Ridge State Park. View the tallest living sand dunes on the East Coast. Learn how these shifting sands move with the wind at the visitor’s center/museum. There are three self-guided trails in the park with information on the three ecosystems of Jockey’s Ridge.
Try hang gliding at Jockey’s Ridge. Dune Hang Gliding lessons are conducted at the Kitty Hawk Kites training facility. The dunes provide the perfect platform for learning to hang glide, as there is plenty of height for beginners, and the dunes are soft for landing.
Afternoon
Put a picnic lunch together at Cahoon’s Market or The Fresh Market to enjoy at Jockey’s Ridge State Park or have lunch delivered to you there. Rent bicycles and explore the region utilizing the many bike paths. There are several options including e-bike rentals, and information about bicycling in OBX can be found here.
Evening
Stroll the Bodie Island Lighthouse grounds and hike their surrounding trails to end the evening.
Day Three
Morning
Spend the morning exploring Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Collect shells, fly kites, or simply enjoy the vast expanse of the beach. Take time to climb Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest brick lighthouse in North America for a breathtaking view.
Afternoon
Explore Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Located on the northernmost section of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, this 6,000-acre refuge is one of the prime birding areas on the East Coast. A haven for more than 265 species of birds such as Canadian geese, snow geese, and 25 species of duck during the winter can be seen.
Evening
After dinner, stroll the beach and look for the elusive ghost crabs (but don’t touch!). Gaze at the stars and enjoy the sound of the beautiful ocean.
