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Offered languages
- English
Embark on a captivating drive along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore with this self-guided tour of North Carolina's Outer Banks. Dive into a rich tapestry of history, from tales of the Lost Colony to the legendary pirate Blackbeard as you marvel at stunning oceanside scenery. Visit the majestic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, encounter the unique marine wonders of the Pamlico Sound, and so much more. This tour ends at the Hatteras Ferry in case you want to keep the adventure going on the remote island of Ocracoke. The barrier islands await!
After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point.
New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Start at the Whalebone Junction Information Center lot on Cape Hatteras National Park Rd, Nags Head, NC 27959, heading south on NC-12 toward Hatteras. Suggested start; we’re not affiliated and staff won’t have tour info. Audio auto-starts—check email/text for setup and download.
Itinerary
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1Whalebone Junction Information Center - Outer Banks Visitors Bureau
Begin your journey at this convenient visitor center, the official starting point for the Cape Hatteras National Seashore audio tour.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Bodie Island Lighthouse
Discover one of the Outer Banks’ most recognizable historic lighthouses. The present lighthouse dates to the 1870s and has guided sailors through these dangerous coastal waters for generations.
5 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
3
Enjoy a beautiful stretch of Outer Banks shoreline known for its coquina clams and the remains of the shipwrecked schooner Laura Barnes.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Oregon Inlet
See the natural waterway connecting Pamlico Sound with the Atlantic Ocean. The inlet was created by a powerful hurricane in 1846 and has continued shifting over time.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
Cross the impressive bridge spanning Oregon Inlet while taking in broad views of the surrounding water and barrier islands. It is an important link along the scenic NC-12 route.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6Oregon Inlet Life Saving Station
See a historic life-saving station dating to the 1800s, when rescue crews watched these dangerous shores and responded to frequent shipwrecks.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7Pamlico Sound
Travel beside one of the region’s great estuaries, home to blue crabs, striped bass, birds, and many other species that thrive where fresh and salt water meet.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
Drive through miles of protected coastal habitat famous for migratory birds and beautiful natural scenery. The refuge is an important stop along the Atlantic Flyway.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
9Pea Island Beach
Take a break at this spacious beach for sweeping coastal views and a chance to spot local wildlife, including loggerhead sea turtles.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
10
Cross this modern bridge built to carry NC-12 above areas vulnerable to flooding, erosion, and shifting sand along the Outer Banks.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
11Rodanthe
Pass through this small seaside community made famous by Nights in Rodanthe. The surrounding landscape showcases the changing nature of the Outer Banks.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
12Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site and Museum
Explore a historic rescue station where surfmen once lived, trained, and used specialized equipment to save sailors from shipwrecks.
5 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
13
Stop by this small local gift shop featuring handmade crafts, jewelry, fishing items, and a touch of Hatteras Island history and nostalgia.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
14Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Experience a protected stretch of the Outer Banks known for historic lighthouses, beaches, wildlife, and remarkably undeveloped coastal landscapes.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
15Kite Point
Visit a popular waterfront spot where strong coastal winds make ideal conditions for kitesurfing and windsurfing. It is also a great place to watch riders in action.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
16
Travel through this small Hatteras Island community near some of Cape Hatteras’ best-known natural and historic attractions.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
17Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
See the iconic black-and-white spiral lighthouse built to help sailors navigate the dangerous waters around Cape Hatteras. The historic structure was famously moved inland in 1999 to protect it from erosion.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
18Cape Point
Visit the dramatic eastern tip of Cape Hatteras, where powerful ocean currents meet and constantly reshape the coastline. The area is especially popular with anglers and adventure seekers.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
19
Learn about the dangerous underwater sandbars extending offshore from Cape Hatteras. These hidden shoals contributed to countless shipwrecks and the region’s reputation as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
20WWII British Sailor Cemetery
Visit a quiet memorial site honoring British sailors who lost their lives while fighting German U-boats off the North Carolina coast during World War II.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
21
Explore a small historic community at the southern end of Hatteras Island with deep connections to Civil War history, fishing, and Outer Banks culture.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
22
Discover the rich maritime history of the Outer Banks, including stories of shipwrecks, sailors, warfare, and the historic Hotel De Afrique.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
23Teach's Lair Marina
See this waterfront marina named after Edward Teach, better known as the legendary pirate Blackbeard. It sits near the southern end of the tour route.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
24Hatteras Ferry Terminal
Reach the southern endpoint of the driving tour and the ferry gateway to Ocracoke Island. Travelers can continue their Outer Banks adventure from here.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
25
Continue by ferry to this historic island known for its Banker horses, maritime heritage, and strong connections to the legends of Blackbeard.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
- Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
- At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
- Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
- Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
- At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
- Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
- Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
- More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
- Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
- Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
- Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
- Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
- The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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