A Tour Of The Entire Outer Banks Of North Carolina

For this trip, I took highway 168 south from Virginia and then over the Wright Memorial Bridge in the northern part of North Carolina. The goal would be to drive the entire length of the Outer Banks, a series of islands and island communities along the North Carolina eastern shore. The day was bright and sunny, but a chilly wind made it seem much colder than the 50 degrees it was that day. It was Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at about 2 pm.
The outer banks is actually a series of island chains. The northernmost part isn’t really an island per se, as it is connected to the mainland. This part is called the Currituck Banks. We’re here, in Corolla, and south of that is the community of Duck. We’ll drive south and see those two first.
At the top of Corolla is an isolated beach where you can drive your car, but south of that it’s pretty isolated. There are only a few hundred homes up here, spread out over about 10 miles. Homes here cost on average $600,000. We’ll drive this for a minute.
Then we take an isolated stretch to the next community, Duck. Now, we come to Duck. South of Corolla, this is the first community that’s on what is called Bodie Island, which stretches all the way down for about 27 miles. Duck has much more to do. There are about 580 people here, and homes cost about a hundred thousand less than in Corolla, at about $480,000 each.
After Duck, heading south, you come to a community named Southern Shores, which has close to 3,000 people. It’s pretty isolated as well.
Here we are along the coast in Kitty Hawk, a community of 3,500. Just on the other side of those homes is the ocean. Homes here average about $360,000, but along the coast, they are much more expensive, closer to $450 to $500,000.
After three miles along the coast, you come to Kill Devil Hills. They basically look the same.
Now, to show you the main drag again, we’ll re join Highway 158.
Now we’re into the heart of the entertainment section of this stretch of the Outer Banks along Bodie Island. As you can see there are all sorts of businesses and shops along this stretch. Now, we’re going to skip over and rejoin Highway 12 again, along the shore, where it’s much more isolated.
We’ll drive along the coast down to Nags Head. Nags Head looks basically the same as Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills. There’s about 3,000 people in Nags Head proper.
Now as you leave Nags Head and get towards the end of Bodie Island, things get pretty isolated. That’s pretty much it in terms of the large number of hotels, restaurants, shops and most of the homes. Eventually, you come to a bridge, where you can take Highway 64 and head over to another island which is part of the Outer Banks, Roanoke Island. Most of Roanoke Island is made up of the town of Manteo, which has about 1,400 people on it. This is where the first colonists lived when they came to America way back in 1585.
Today, it has a few stores to cater to the locals, but most of it is a small, cute village with shopping. Homes here are about $300,000 on average.
Then we’ll cross BACK over the bridge again and leave Roanoke.
We will continue south, and then leave Bodie Island completely. It’s really isolated down here.
After a while, you cross another bridge over to Hatteras Island. The northern section of Hatteras is very isolated. There’s actually nothing up here really. It’s so narrow, the sand blows across the road, and it washes out during even minor storms. So there’s constant maintenance.
Further down Hatteras Island are three really small communities, called Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo. They all pretty much look the same. In total, there are only 250 people way down here, where they pay about $330,000 for a home.
Then you drive further to the bottom of Hatteras, which includes the communities of Buxton and Hatteras. Way down here is very different from the rest of the outer banks.
From Buxton, you head west to the end of the island to the community of Hatteras.
Here in Hatteras, there’s about 500 people, depending on if it’s the busy season. This is the end of the road.
To get off of Hatteras and back to the mainland, you catch a ferry over to Okracoke Island, about halfway back to the eastern North Carolina shore. It takes about an hour.
Then, you get off the boat and you’re on ocracoke island.
To leave Ocracoke, you hop on another ferry, and take that 2 and a half hours all the way back to Cedar Island. And you’re back onto the North Carolina mainland.
#outerbanks #northcarolina
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The best video on this topic!

[@robertmoore254]

This was a hard video to watch. I lost my wife in December of 2020. Our last trip we took before she got sick was to the Outer Banks. We came over from Cedar Island on the Ferry and stayed in Hatteras for a week. We travelled the banks from top to bottom each day. We made a lot of wonderful memories and seeing this brought back all of those memories. I wish that I could take her there again but I know I can't. Thank you for putting this on here.

[@troygunter2848]

God Bless You Brother ! Always remember the Good Times , those Damn Good Times...those memories last a lifetime !!!

[@gregorylatta8159]

I lost my wife in March 2020. I understand.

[@theelite4049]

I love the OBX such a beautiful place I used to go there in the summer times. Thanks for doing this drive, brought back a lot of wonderful memories. 👍 😎

[@MiguelAngel-oh1ub]

Ocracoke is where I’m meant to be. Just got back recently, and as always never wanted to leave. Nothing but beaches and beauty.

[@Skocappin]

same here man its a beautiful island

[@sphexes]

Then the dingbatters come...

[@walterward8164]

Still has some of the charm I can remember from my youth. In the 60s.

[@phil2u48]

I remember hating it as a kid in the ‘50’s : miles and miles of dunes and sometimes the road would be washed out. We had to pack food and take a cooler with ice and jugs of water. There were only ferries after crossing from Manteo, and if you missed the Hatteras one, you were stuck. Once we had to turn back and spend the night in Manteo. We did it every summer anyway.

[@kaitlynf5202]

I was born and raised on the OBX!! I moved to Charlotte, NC for college but come home every summer and any chance I get. Thanks for making this video & showcasing how pretty it is!

[@33Donner77]

In the spring of 1942, German U-boats prowled the ocean off the Outer Banks of North Carolina and sank freighters at will. By June, they had sunk 397 merchant vessels (and over 5,000 lives) and the area earned the name "Torpedo Junction." This may have not been widely reported at the time as it did not fit the Narrative for winning the war. The NC Outer Banks is a good place to visit, but has few medical specialist offices if you need those services.

[@nofluffingtv3037]

No mention of the Wright brothers and kill devil hills history??? Cmonnn man

[@prague7706]

Don’t whine or you’ll be vaporized

[@jeremyaxel]

I was also expecting him to mention the wright brothers

[@rachelc.5463]

Nick, my husband grew up taking vacations to Outer Banks. His parents would pitch a tent at Cape Hatteras on the beach. I've always wanted to go there. Thanks for sharing your video.

[@jonathanlea3600]

Hey! I live on Ocracoke! 2 things 1. You're speeding 2. The crappiest most run down house on this island doesn't sell for less than 200k , so I don't know where you got that info. Awesome channel, and thanks for stopping by!

[@MrOhmygoditsben]

I can attest to this. My mother retired to the outer banks a few years back and bought a very crappy run down house in Avon for about 275,000.

[@phishead4003]

I live in Kill Devil Hills. The price of living is WAY TOO HIGH compared to your working wages.

[@TheBowersj]

@@phishead4003 working wages are between $25-$300 per hour during the season. I loved working here but drove an hour and a half to do it each way.

[@Singlesix6]

It's now 3 years later and a fairly nice to nice 2BR/1BA runs anywhere from $400k to $490k. 2BR/2BA could be over $500k. The Park Service owns the island except for the village. The village is said to be 4 sq.miles, but that must include all the marshes and wetlands, too.

[@donaldprice9230]

Good one Nick!!! I drove the banks once. It was an excellent surprise. Thanks for this memory!!!

[@GAESC0]

Thank you so so so much for this drive. I spent the most beautiful time of my life here in OBX.

[@SageWeiss]

I grew up vacationing in Corolla it’s one of the best places on earth.

[@avasimone1419]

ah same!

[@PrO_GaMiNgElite]

Yep went to oceracoke every year for 15 years straight

[@tankprice1951]

I wanna go but have no idea about where to stay

[@KP-do2ss]

Isn't that where all of the wild horses are? I would love to see them.

[@SageWeiss]

@@tankprice1951 my families Beach house was in a place called Corolla light resort.

[@julieDJTFP]

For the first 26 years of my life, I went to the Outer Banks every year for a week or more. Nice blast from the past.

[@charlespipitone2324]

My 10yo son and I just did this 33 day road trip. From jersey, to Florida, myrtle, and this whole stretch. Going north of course. Absolutely the best unplanned last minute get a way I've ever experienced. I cant wait to do it again.

[@charlespipitone2324]

4/27/22 Looking forward to another (almost not planned) trip in a couple weeks. This time we doing this area southbound with our dirtbikes.

[@michaelsuzio4364]

I'm doing the trip now louisiana to florida to sc nc I'm in delaware skip the jersey shore I lived there for a few years already trying to get to montauk next have to wait till next week to go almost out of money for gas

[@Yoursistersazz]

It should take less than 5 days

[@jillmorton3096]

Outer Banks is my happy place💕💕

[@jasong3652]

Its mine too! Can't wait to get back!

[@graceandglory1948]

Great job, Nick! Thank you for being the eyes of so many who can't travel anymore. We appreciate you!

[@NickJohnson]

Ok Patricia

[@kethsharakhlok1976]

Thanks Mr. Johnson for another one of your narrated driving tour series, 👍! I'm so amazed at how clean each area has shown throughout your entire touring route.

[@NickJohnson]

They take pride!

[@erichammond9308]

Nice video, but I'd like to point out that Ocracoke is the most geologically stable part of the outer banks, and while other parts have seen erosion from mild winter storms wreck beachfront property, until hurricane Dorian swamped and did damage to many homes, no house in the village of Ocracoke has been totally destroyed in several hundred years. In fact, the settlers of the lost colony entered the pamlico sound through Ocracoke inlet, since the Oregon inlet and Hatteras inlet did not exist in 1587

[@kentuckianaboy]

OBX is awesome 👏! Great video, Nick! Lost Colony @ Roanoke is one of my favorite tales from history!

[@nosnerd1967]

By far the best video out there for OBX … this is exactly what I’ve been looking for -excellent narration in videography. Thank you. Al Ottawa Ontario Canada 🇨🇦

[@kellysaunooke740]

Lovely drive and I love coastal towns like this.They are quaint and charming.

[@l.t.9245]

This was so well done and just what I was searching for as we plan our very first trip to the island. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!

[@RouletteRog]

We vacationed on the Outer Banks every summer when I was a kid. I LOVE OBX. We would stay in Avon (at Avon Cottages) every year and got to know the owners Earl and Daisy well.

[@urbanlegendsandtrivia2023]

I'm 58 years old and live in Yorktown, Virginia. We used to go down to the Outer Banks in the 1980s in my college days. Most of the Duck , Carova, and Corolla homes weren't even constructed yet. It has really built up over the years.

[@kennedymcgovern5413]

Brother, I am 52 and retired Navy, Caught this video because my wife and I are relocating to "the Banx." I know exactly what you mean. The good news I see is that the further south he drives, the more of our old school Outer Banks still exists. If I were alone, the Ocracoke homes you can buy for cash, that require a Ferry to get to any Sam's Club would be my spot! Haha, but there is no way my wife is doing that. Still, Manteo and Buxton are surprisingly affordable to live in year round. The last kid is 16. We plan to have a moving van parked in front of the Coliseum for her graduation ceremony. If anyone out there wants Winston Salem, you can have our spot!

[@caseypmakeup]

My favorite place on earth!! We go every sunday for an overnight trip in the summer and we count down the days until the season starts back over!!!

[@vijikrish4353]

Excellent video👌😍I just returned back from a trip to OBX....your video made me feel like revisiting the place.Thank you for the wonderful experience.We drove only till Manteo to the visit the Aquarium but did not go to Hatteras or beyond that.I wish I had seen your video before so we could have taken the ferry rides to Okracoke & Cedar Islands.Anyways...I appreciate your video...Thank you & God bless.We are from NJ & it took us 8hrs to drive to OBX.We were at the Barrier Island Resort situated at Duck.We visited the Bodi Lighthouse & watched Avatar 2 at Kill Devil Hills.Was fascinated by the seaside houses as we drove along & it was good to know their prices....I assumed they must be more than a million😊

[@johnjorgensen6301]

Thank you Nick Johnson. My family and I I have intended for over 20 years to visit the Outer Banks. For a myriad of reasons, every time we started to plan for it, something came up. This gave me a good taste of what it is like, and for that I am very appreciative. Hope you enjoy Super Bowl Sunday. What is Mappy's favorite snack? Somehow, I don't see Karen as a very good cook...

[@ernestthompson891]

Wonderful production Nick. Lot's of memories of simpler times in life. Thank you!

[@NickJohnson]

Ok Ernest

[@CityGeek]

I love the outer banks

[@TheOriginalMarimoChan]

I thoroughly enjoyed this, and your music too...very satisfying! Thank you!

[@AnitaX0099]

NC12!!! That’s what I plan to do later this month! From south to north though. Thanks Nick!

[@TrippEvans]

I live in Wilmington and driving up the Outer Banks is on my bucket list

[@NickJohnson]

Do it soon!

[@NickJohnson]

Here's my entire North Carolina playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLq-_cmf3H6ypqFmmckN4kY1VMZDi23IsR And if you need help finding a place to move, I do consulting. I can help you pick where to move and get you a real estate agent, too. Email me! [e-mail]

[@tammiettt]

Thanks for this ride along! It was quite informative and I enjoyed every minute of it.

[@mlawson84]

Thanks for the drive, Nick. My wife’s family rented a beach house in Salvo once - it’s so remote that I’d never seen so many stars in the sky at night aside from maybe the Grand Canyon

[@NickJohnson]

Yes Michael it is! ✨

[@rebecca9949]

i know this is an old comment but YAY. I just booked a rental in Salvo this summer and have been second guessing renting something in such a remote area. But this makes me happy. I can't wait to stare at the stars at night.

[@sandeepp6300]

Thank you! I have driven there so often and remember all the roads

[@tomwagstaff7781]

You also forgot to tell that the Hatteras Lighthouse was moved about 20 years ago to prevent it from falling into thee Atlantic, was a major tourist attraction whit people traveling from all over the east coast to watch.

[@jimcarter6669]

Surfer magnet.

[@delphinenyirahabimanam.d.8510]

Your videos got me through a lot! Good ride, and clear sky!

[@NickJohnson]

Ok! ❤️

[@peregrination3643]

My dad and I did an OBX trip 15 years. Top to bottom. Okracoke was his favorite. We saw the feral horses in the Corolla area, dolphins by a lighthouse that was moved on a Mega Movers-type show years before we were there, checked out some swamp areas, an aquarium, and took a ferry. We had our kayak, but I think the places we used it were in wetland areas on the mainland.

[@chrishall5504]

I totally loved taking this ride with you... My ancestors were from the outer Banks in the 1700s and 1800s and it's still in my blood... This 30 minute ride with you was totally enjoyed, I miss the Carolina's coast and I've got to get back! ❤️

[@clowning81]

Looks so peaceful there.

[@Stick0413]

very much so, it is my "happy place."

[@godschild1670]

I loved this dashboard tour....thank you! I love the Outer Banks ...take us on an Island Tour...show some places that you love...thanks once again!!

[@Jake-78]

I have been vacationing on the OBX for 20+ years once or twice a year, I have wonderful memories there. Love the Outer Banks

[@fuckyou96]

I love how peaceful your videos are! I love the music in the background too. 🔥

[@NickJohnson]

Cool!

[@kaybrown4010]

Beautiful! Thanks, Nick!

[@bernadettepacitti7119]

Manteo was the home of Andy Griffith in his retirement years!

[@waylandharrington8758]

I used to walk through his property all the time til the cops started catching people for trespassing

[@youtubeuploads7208]

WOW- I had no idea - thanks for sharing this. It's a beautiful place I am going to visit soon.

[@sks1024]

It was his home full time. Not retirement years.

[@kharris1972kh]

You take me places that I cant go! Ty ❤

[@jillmorton3096]

Those birds on the ocean looked like something out of an Alfred Hitchcock movie😱

[@TheBowersj]

Sanderlings...theres a community there named after them

[@karenmchugh5511]

Thanks for doing this video, I found it super helpful in visualizing a trip to the OBX next year

[@Hey_its_Koda]

I want to retire near boone and blowing rock NC. Its beautiful.

[@SraAmoraVida]

Very cool video. Beautiful scenery.

[@chrisdeluca1475]

Thank you for making this video. Very informative. I’ve never been to the OBX and wish to visit in the near future. This helps me to decide where to go. TY 😊

[@SlowedByMaple]

This is Something Else. Great Work!

[@BeautyOnEarth]

To everyone who is reading this, you’re beautiful and an amazing person. Please exercise frequently and eat more fruits/veggies. I wish you all good health, great success, and everlasting happiness!!!!!!!!

[@Victory1981]

Roanoke and Okracoke really intrigue me. Nice vid!

[@paulscottfilms]

That was a good trip, the music interesting also. I wondered how the camera work was done. The stabilisation was perfect and someone was working the camera angles, absolutely no window glare . Too good all together

[@NickJohnson]

Paul - iPhone selfie stick out the sunroof

[@AnitaX0099]

Just did exactly the same thing yesterday!!! So cool!!! I did the opposite way from Cedar Island at 6:30am and arrived Corolla around 5pm.

[@kylebain6778]

Love it down there. The wife and I got stuck down in Frisco when 12 washed out back in September. Had to extend our stay by another 4 days.

[@FleurHarleaux]

Just beautiful...thanks so much for sharing.😊👍🏼

[@mlynn2161]

Oh this is cool!! I love the Outer Banks!!!

[@lcinflorida8728]

This has been wonderful! Thank you for this!!!

[@NickJohnson]

Ok!

[@thorsden5562]

Lived in Hatteras village in the 70's. Surfed, fished, worked fileting fish in the summer at the docks. I worked at Captain Peele's restaurant as well. Met some great people. The summer was always busy and the tourist business was hopping. I fell in love with many girls that came down in the summer. Great memories from long ago.

[@NickJohnson]

Sounds like it!

[@meganb.6619]

Was just there in October 2020 Avon!! Best Family vacation ever! Corolla was my first time there. Then Duck, Waves, Salvo, then this year Avon on Hatteras Island just love it

[@NickJohnson]

Yay Megan!

[@Gurlonline07]

My hubby and I just came back from Kill Devil Hills , nc this weekend and we loved it out there! It was a little chilly but there was plenty of sun 😎 I wish we would have made it to the sand dune park but we ran out of time. We saw it as we were driving by. I even sang some Karaoke at a restaurant called Longboards. Fun times! The people are very nice there too!

[@rickandmargie]

Very good video and review of the area, including Manteo

[@iamjoshdunbar]

Sigh.... I’m in Alaska right now for work and I have 19 day until I go home to my great state of NC.... been here in Alaska since August so I have a beach home rented and waiting for me!!! Love NC

[@NickJohnson]

Lucky!!!

[@wandahall4435]

Happy Sunday Everyone!!! 💞💞💞 Me some Nick & Mappy!!! Shout out to SGC

[@mgtowp.l.7756]

Thank You Very Much For Sharing Nick.. Could you Make A Video On Amarillo, Texas Abilene, Texas, And San Angelo Texas? Thanks Do Many Canadians Apart From Myself Watch your Videos?

[@ellexis3337]

Really looked beautiful. I have never been there and really liked seeing it!

[@RomaineMelvin-zi3iv]

Great video i always wanted to see what it looked like on the outer Banks

[@wp-aiseo]

Great video! Thank you! I'm planning on taking the same trip in early November 2021.

[@VL1975]

Used to go there as a kid. Once in 1988 then in 1989. We stayed in Southern Shores. After Hurricane Hugo, the beach was completely washed up and pushed back. Seems it changed the landscape. Beautiful area to vacation. It's nice for once to watch one of your videos where it's not the WORST! lol

[@honeybfly2010]

Ok, so this is yet ANOTHER place that you have caused me to want to go and visit because of your videos! 😊 I don’t know why, but I haven’t been getting notifications lately for your videos when you upload something new!! 😭

[@darringilmore9673]

I enjoyed that trip Nick. I have family in Durham but haven't been down there in ages. I'd say most parts in North Carolina are pretty nice visually. 👍

[@NickJohnson]

Yep!

[@RandomlyGenius]

Thanks for the drive

[@dvb3230]

We go to the obx every summer and stay in kitty hawk. We love the low dunes in that area that the smaller 3-4 bedroom beach road homes offer if you have a small group and would like to go a bit cheaper with a beach road fronted home compared to oceanfront. This video makes me even more excited for vacation this summer. Thanks for posting!

[@NickJohnson]

Have fun!!

[@michaelciccone2194]

What a treasure! I've enjoyed this video. Cannot wait to get back to BUXTON NC!

[@NickJohnson]

cool it's awesome there Michael!

[@deidramartin6762]

Nice vid Nick 👍🏽 I believe the movie Just Cause took place on Kill Devils Hill.

[@orchardmudtwin]

We literally came here for the day, about 30 hours, and I loved it, it wasn't what I expected but I liked it very much, but something tells me that there is something for everyone here, and I would like to keep searching. The feel here was very relaxed and free in my opinion, I want to come back its too much to get here to only be here for 30 hours...

[@George0025]

Going to Corolla the first week of April. Can't wait.

[@marionwallsten7507]

Thank you for this great information which included housing cost as well!

[@NickJohnson]

I try :)

[@JG3RTR]

I love the outer banks. It's so pretty there. The water is so cold there.

[@mindfloodnc]

Cold water in the winter-late fall-early spring. Water warms up quick in May to June in NC. Water stays cooler in northern outer banks due to a cold current from the north but southern outer banks gets warmer water from the Gulf Stream. Water gets pretty tropical July-early September. Sometimes cold water upwelling from deeper water offshore can get pushed in in the summer if you have a steady onshore wind for several days.

[@africandreamsinhaze365]

I had a burning desire to go for a drive today but cant 'cause it's snowing. Thanks for the video.

[@redboy09100]

Love the south!! Look at all the live oak trees and long leaf pines!!

[@Hans_Moleman925]

OBX is my happy place. Greatest beach on the Atlantic coast

[@mariapierce2707]

good choice Nick well done! when you said thanks Maletta I laughed LOL you were determined to get in your room! LOL LOL too funny!

[@NickJohnson]

I had no other option!

[@lenodesignusa224]

Sup Nick! I like the ocracoke island amazing place for the summer times, thx for doing this drive.. peace out!

[@NickJohnson]

It's a cool place!

[@candiceyoung8244]

Gorgeous area. Thank you 😊

[@willasage23240]

Thanks for all of this amazing content

[@NickJohnson]

Lol ok!! Miss you guys!!!! Sneak down here for a visit!! Please!

[@nofluffingtv3037]

Wow, in only 30 minutes! Where’s the police chase cam?

[@kennedymcgovern5413]

Retired Navy. I have spent a lot of time on Bodie and Roanoke Islands, so I know exactly where he is, at every turn, as he drives from Corolla to Manteo. Now that retirement is here, my wife and I are considering relocating there, so I am listening for the home prices from his research, as he drives. He started at 600K in Carolla, and I thought: "keep driving" haha. Then he got to Manteo and I thought: "Now you are in the sweet spot, buddy." Hell, I am retired Navy...not retired Pelosi stock trader!! Now I will resume the video and get ton the parts south of Manteo that I don't know as well, because I am liking the way the numbers seem to be trending as he drives south!

[@samuelWx]

Did a six week rotation at the medical clinic on Ocracoke back in the spring of 2000. Saw patients all day and spent the rest of the time surfing!

[@prague7706]

Amazing video! The music almost put me to sleep.

[@jacksonconley5117]

For anyone who goes to the Outer Banks, Mama Kwans is a must go to restaurant. They serve the best wontons and pork in the world.

[@lewismabe4497]

The ferry to Swan Quarter is a beautiful ride as well. There's alot of history on that side of the sound along with several small fishing villages like Engelhard!

[@lewismabe4497]

The inner banks offer solace and a restful enjoyment you cant find anywhere else within an hour drive back to Nags Head.

[@NickJohnson]

Fun!!

[@karenblaise9208]

Beautiful trip!

[@jjlebon6798]

Love seeing all the birds at the ferry

[@rogerhare7886]

Want to visit but didnt know where. Invaluable video to learn the region.

[@smooveman7558]

My parents are thinking about going to vacation here so I showed them this and they loved it, thanks for helping.

[@NickJohnson]

Good! Go in the off season it so much more relaxed

[@smooveman7558]

@@NickJohnson thanks man! Love the videos keep it up

[@jimmy18547]

Thanks buddy love ur work