The Outer Banks begin at False Cape in the very southeast corner of Virginia, and compose an island chain stretching over most of North Carolina's cost line. They were once part of the continent thousands of years ago, but through the thaw of the ice age these sandbar like islands have become more and more separated from the main land.

Highway 12 offers a variety of pull off's to visit local shops,fresh seafood markets, restaurants, bars, put put golf, go carts, arcades, and the famous brew threw's, making it a great place for anyone to spend a summer vacation. Most of the island chain can be accessed by North Carolina highway 12, however crossing further south to Ocracoke requires a ferry ride.

On the Ocean front you can enjoy the easy life sit back and relax enjoy the surf and sand dunes that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean. People who have a 4-wheel drive can take their truck or van on the beach, and go for a surf and catch some rays.

The sound side is exellent for wind and kite surfing, or a quiet canoe or kayak tour. All in all the outer banks give you a great opportunity to make and adventure, photograph wildlife, camp (where permitted) or go crabbing and fishing. If you like to hike there are several areas where you can find trails weaving between the sound and the ocean front.

To the North, Virginia's False Cape State park, offers some excellent hiking and biking trails that stretch for a few miles, and to the south Hatteras Island offers the islands largest hardwood forest. Located in Buxton near the lighthouse Cape Hatteras State park has a one mile interpretive loop trail, and it is here that the island is thickest. Pea Island may be known for the dynamic sand dunes covered with sea oats, American beach grass, yaupon, wax myrtle, morning glory, trumpet vine, and cat briar. Paddle around the peaceful sound side where you can catch breathtaking sunsets and a chance to see as many as 265 species of birds such as Canada and snow geese, duck, tundra swan, heron, egret, tern, and many other birds that pass through during fall and spring migrations.