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Take a Boat Cruise To View Local Attractions and Wildlife

If you aren't interested in fishing or watersports, there is also a variety of boat cruises offered on the Outer Banks. Depending on which tour you choose, you could see dolphins, shipwrecks, sunsets, various sights and local attractions, various bird species, and more! In Nags Head, contact Bodie Island Adventures at (252) 441-6682. Outer Banks Cruises in Manteo is also an option, and can be reached at (252) 473-1475. Captain Clam in Hatteras, though it is primarily a headboat fishing charter, also offers pirate tours some evenings in the summer, and can be reached at (252) 986-2365.

Take Your Kids To a Local Educational Camp

Because of the various educational opportunities for children on the Outer Banks, several local organizations offer partial-day and full-day camps, most of which last five days. Organizations that have kids' camps are as follows: The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island at (252) 473-3493, The KDH Cooperative Gallery at (252) 441-9888, The Kitty Hawk Sports Kids Kayak Clinic at (252) 441-6800, The Outer Banks Family YMCA at (252) 449-8897, Dare County Parks and Recreation at (252) 473-1101, ext. 313, Dare County Cooperative Extension at (252) 473-1101, ext. 442, Ocean Atlantic Rentals Surf School at (800) 635-9559 and Club Hatteras Kids at (252) 995-4600. These programs will be fun for the kids while they learn about various aspects of the Outer Banks.

Go Waterfowl Hunting

In the 1920s, many parts of the Outer Banks were used primarily for waterfowl hunting. Today, people visit the Outer Banks for several different reasons - family reunions, windsurfing, surfing, kiteboarding, research, reporting or simply to just get away from the city for a few days. Though waterfowl hunting is not a primary pastime in the area, some hunters do still visit the Outer Banks to hunt waterfowl. If you prefer to have a hunting guide, you may call Ken Dempsey Guide Services, which is a full-time professional outfitter who has been in the business for 16 years. For complete information on season dates, bag limits and shooting hours, call (800) 675-0263.

Climb the Walls at Kitty Hawk Kites/Carolina Outdoors

Though the Outer Banks doesn't have any mountains to climb, there are three climbing walls located in the area for you to try. Two climbs and basic instruction cost $7 per person, which includes all equipment needed for the climb. The climbing walls are located at the Corolla, Nags Head and Hatteras locations of Kitty Hawk Kites/Carolina Outdoors. The Nags Head climbing wall is indoor and open year-round, though only on weekends in the winter. The Corolla and Hatteras climbing walls are outside so are not open year-round. For more information, contact Kitty Hawk Kites/Carolina Outdoors at (800) FLY-THIS.

View the Sunset Over the Sound

After a long day of sightseeing, shopping, fishing or surfing, take time to relax and watch the sunset over the Sound. Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands are home to the Pamlico Sound; Manteo and Nags Head are home to the Albemarle Sound, and Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Duck and Corolla is where you will find the Currituck Sound. No matter what Sound you choose, the sunset views will be breathtaking. If you are lucky enough to catch a few late afternoon windsurfers or kiteboarders, you will be able to see their sails in the foreground as the sun drops below the horizon. Sunsets are beautiful on the Outer Banks all year round, but some of the most breathtaking orange and red sunsets are prevalent in the fall season each year.

Go Camping at the Ocracoke Campground

The National Park Service manages a great campground on Ocracoke Island. About twelve miles from the ferry docks and just three miles from Ocracoke Village, this oceanfront campground is in the perfect location for walking on the beach, fishing, nature walking and more! There are 136 campsites and the cost is $20 per night. To make a reservation, call (800) 365-CAMP.

Spend a Relaxing Afternoon of Kayaking or Canoeing

People of any age and skill level can enjoy a relaxing afternoon of kayaking or canoeing in the calm waters of the Outer Banks sounds. There are several stores available throughout the Outer Banks where you can rent either a kayak or a canoe, and there are different types available depending on your preference. You can rent equipment from Carolina Outdoors in Corolla, Nags Head, Manteo, Avon or Hatteras at (800) 334-4777. Several companies also offer guided kayak and canoe eco-tours. Corolla Adventure Tours leads tours on the northern beaches and can be reached at (252) 453-6899. Ocracoke Adventures leads tours of the Pamlico Sound and Ocracoke Island and can be reached at (252) 928-7873.

Visit the Deserted Portsmouth Island

Portsmouth Island is a small, deserted island just south of Ocracoke Island. Though it was once inhabited, now Portsmouth Island has no residents and is accessible only by boat. There is a 2-mile trail that leads from the village to the beach. Wilderness camping is allowed, but don't forget your insect repellent! For more information on the Island, contact Cape Lookout National Seashore at (252) 728-2250. If you would rather have a guided tour, Portsmouth Island ATV Excursions allows you to ride the shores of this island and visit its attractions. Two trips are offered each day and cost $75 per person. For more information, contact (252) 928-4484.

Watch the Charter Boats Come in with Their "Catch of the Day"

Both Oregon Inlet and Hatteras Inlet have fleets of charter boats that take excited fishermen into the gulf stream to catch the fish of their dreams. Can't afford to go on a charter boat? Don't have sea legs and don't want to experience life on the water? Try going to the docks in the afternoon when the charters come in. You will see tired, sunburned (and happy) fishermen, whistling mates and captains and hundreds of pounds of the tuna, wahoo, mackerel, dolphin and other choice catches of the day. See the people who caught them and watch the mates clean them in the fish cleaning stations. Experience a small part of the charter fishing experience without spending a dime! For daily information on times of charter returns, contact the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center at (800) 272-5199, Oden's Dock (Hatteras Inlet) at (252) 986-2555 or Teach's Lair Marina (Hatteras Inlet) at (252) 986-2460.

Take an Adventure Tour To See the Corolla Wild Horses

The very northern tip of Corolla is home to about 60 wild horses that freely roam the 15,000 acres between this northern edge of Corolla and the Virginia State Line. No one knows for sure how the horses arrived on the Outer Banks, but many believe they came to the area with early European explorers. Adventure tours are available to see the horses either via suburban or via all terrain vehicles (ATVs). To experience the tour in a suburban, contact Wild Horse Safari at (252) 453-0877 or Bob's Off Road Wild Horse Adventure Tours at (252) 453-8602. If you are the more adventurous type and would rather view the horses from your own ATV, contact Corolla Outback Adventures at (252) 453-4484 or Back Country Outfitters & Guides at (252) 453-0877. However you decide to view the horses, remember they are wild, and you should stay at least 500 feet away, and do not feed or touch them.