Outer Banks FAQ
Outer Banks, North Carolina
Towns and communities along the Outer Banks receive nearly 7 million visitors
every year attracted by the many different attractions and the coastal location;
however, first time visitors sometimes have a few question relating to the region,
which answers are needed to evaluate the place for their next holiday destination.
Where is Outer Banks located?
- Outer Banks is a 90-mile string of beaches and barrier islands situated in
North Carolina on the East Coast of the United States, forming approximately
the northern half of the state's Atlantic coastline.
Outer Banks or OBX?
- All this area wall off the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds from the ocean is
popularly known as OBX, and the region is not anchored to the offshore coral
reef like occurs with other barrier islands.
This is so confusing; I heard this place is called Nags Head.
- Indeed, Nags Head is a generic name to describe the area Outer Banks, derived
from its first physical location on a map as Nags head, then as a township,
to finally becoming the Outer Banks region.
How many communities belong to the Outer Banks?
- The Northern Outer Banks is composed of Corolla, Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty
Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and Manteo. Bogue Banks islands with Atlantic
Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, Salter Path, Indian Beach and Emerald Isle and other
towns.
- Hatteras Island includes Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco and
Batteras. Ocracoke communities is composed by Ocracoke Island, besides of Portsmouth
Island, Core Banks, and Shackleford Banks, all three actually uninhabited.
Where do those names come from?
- Hatteras was the name of Amerigo Vespucci's ship, probably taken from an Algorkian
term meaning sparse vegetation.
- Ocracoke comes from other Algonkian term for stronghold, probably since before
European contact.
- Chicamacomico is a derivation from the Algonkian term from sinking sand or
wild turkeys. This name was abolished by the Post Office Department in 1874
due to it was too hard to spell, but later rescued by another federal agency.
- Kitty Hawk is probably the etymology given after Chickahauk, the name of
this territory until the 18th century. However, maps dating from the 1580s show
another such etymology as Etacrewac.
- Kill Devil Hills was bare sand until the historic flight of the Wright Brothers
in 1903; probably that condition gave the plural name to the town, incorporated
in 1953, and containing the hill.
- Nags Head is believed to have something to do with horses, or a corruption
for St. Agnes Head.
- Other communities on Outers Banks share similar etymology roots, derived
from Algonkian terms or corrupted form of their original names, including close
locations such as Ginguite Creek, joining Currituck Sound at Martins Point,
hence and Algonkian, French-spell corrupted form for "inlet" or "passage."
How is the weather?
- Outer Banks' residents say, “If you want to know what the weather is,
wait a minute." The region has a temperate weather with average temperatures
ranging from 60 to 70º Fahrenheit, and combining sunny days tempered by
gentle ocean breezes.
Is Hatteras Island located near North Carolina's mainland?
- As a barrier island in the Atlantic Ocean, Hatteras Island runs parallel to
the coast of North Carolina that forms a bend at Cape Hatteras and containing
the largest part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
How long is this island?
- Hatteras Island is one of the longest in the contiguous United States, measuring
roughly 50 miles along the curve of the l and 42 miles along a straight line
from end to end.
How far is Outer Banks from the Airport?
- The closest airport is approximately 90 miles north of the Outer Banks, in
Norfolk, Virginia (Norfolk International Airport)
Are there any other transportation facilities?
- There is no train service to the Outer Banks, but there are bus services running
to the Outer Banks or destination nearby, including Elizabeth City or Norfolk
Virginia. Shuttle, taxi, and a car rental service are also available from other
close locations.
Are there any special taxation policies?
- Dare County Tax breakdown is total is 13% charged on a paid accommodation,
distributed this way: 4.5 % North Carolina Sales Tax, 7.0% Sales, 5.0% Occupancy,
and 3.5% local, tax that will be decreased to 2.5% as of July 1st, 2006.
When is considered in-season to visit the Outer Bank?
- In-season and off-season status varies according to every individual motel,
hotel or property rental company. In general terms, the peak season runs between
early March and is extended until mid to late October, while off-season typically
falls after October as the winter is approaching and the temperature is less
comfortable.
Are wedding ceremonies allowed on the beach or do we need permission to be
married there?
- Outer Banks does not issue special permits for beach weddings because they
are not required. However, common sense and a few things should be kept in mind:
- There are several beach rental agencies in the area, and most of them have
with strict rules when it comes to weddings at rental properties.
- The National Park Service charges a fee of $100 for any type of gathering
within its boundaries, including the beach.
- The town of Duck does not provide public parking areas for beach access so
you need to rent a home in order to use the beach.
- It is recommended to check with the property rental services if there is
any rule applying to their properties regarding using the property as a wedding
facility, while other information and regulations can be obtained through the
National Park Service and the Register of Deeds.
Are bonfires allowed on the beach?
- Permits are not required along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore but mandatory
at Nags Head
- Small ground fires are permitted on the beach below the high tide line and
away from dune vegetation or combustible material.
Bonfires and small ground fires must be attended by an adult and be completely
extinguished using water, not sand, prior to leaving.
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