Want to experience the Outer Banks without the crowds? Here’s when to visit.
Fewer crowds, cooler temperatures and lower prices make shoulder season the Outer Banks’s best-kept secret—without sacrificing the wild beauty that made the barrier islands famous.
With miles of pristine beaches, protected wild horses, and key historic sites, it's easy to see why North Carolina's Outer Banks is popular with beachgoers. But thanks to year-round mild weather, travelers don't have to visit during peak season, when prices are high and prime spots are busy with tourists. Here's how to beat the summer rush.
Why shoulder season is the best time to visit
The Outer Banks (OBX) is a chain of barrier islands that stretches 175-miles along the coast of North Carolina. Average temperatures range from the mid-70s into the 80s in the shoulder season. throughout the year. Even rain isn’t much of a factor in the OBX.
“If it’s raining in one part of the Outer Banks, it’s probably not in another,” says Aaron Tuell, public relations manager for the Outer Banks Visitor’s Bureau. “And with the coastal breeze is coming off the ocean if it’s raining all times, it’ll blow out in a few hours. On those days can make for some exceptionally gorgeous sunsets.”
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The weather is similar in the fall, as well. The only difference is that the sunsets tend to be more vivid and beautiful, according to Tuell.
The shoulder season—between April and May in the spring and September and October in the fall—is often one of the better times to travel. The weather is nice and there aren’t nearly as many crowds as family vacations typically don’t start until school lets out. Best of all, pretty much everything is open for business. “May is one of the best months to experience Ocracoke,” says Helena Stevens, executive director of the Ocracoke Tourism Authority. “Businesses are open, the beaches are still quiet, the village is awake again after a winter hibernation, and the ferry arrival gives the whole trip a slower, more intentional feel.”
(The best places to travel in May.)
Not only that, but because it’s the off-season, itinerary items like accommodations often offer off-season rates, making it the ideal time for budget-conscious travelers to visit the islands. The wait times for tables at restaurants or tours are lower, so you can maximize your time on the barrier islands.
Where to stay in May in the OBX?
The great thing about traveling in the shoulder season is that fewer people are traveling, making it easier to not only find rooms, but to make last minute trips, especially if you travel mid-week.
Camping
May is a great month to camp in the Outer Banks. The weather is nice and the crowds haven’t shown up yet, so you can truly take in the natural wonder of the OBX.
(Take a road trip through North Carolina's Outer Banks.)
“May is a wonderful time to camp here, and it allows visitors to experience the natural beauty of the OBX on a budget,” says Tuell. “Sleeping under the stars and waking up to the sun rising over the ocean is an unreal experience, the campgrounds included below offer just that.”
Cape Hatteras National Seashore is one of the area's prized camping destinations, and America’s first national seashore. It has over 70-miles of white sand beaches line these postcard-perfect barrier islands. Oregon Inlet Campground occupies a prime spot, with 107 sites open to the public that start at $28 per night, facilities including flush toilets and electricity, with access to beaches and easy access to the Bodie Island Lighthouse. Private campgrounds like Hatteras Sands Campground—in Hatteras Village—have 60 RV sites, along with 18 cabins and 6 cottages. Rates start at $79.25 for RV camping and there’s access to crabbing and fishing right on the canals in the campground, as well as an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
Inns and B&Bs
There are also inns, like First Colony Inn, Blackbeard’s Lodge, and the Wildhorse Inn that are more on the quaint side. These inns provide a quieter experience, without the crowds that you would find at bigger hotels or campgrounds.
Resorts
And, of course, for folks who like resorts, the Outer Banks’ only full-service luxury resort—the Sanderling—is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Currituck Sound. You can lay back, put your feet up and let other people take care of things like food and drinks. This well-known four-star resort was renovated reimagined in 2025 for its 40th anniversary, including celebrity Chef Vivian Howard collaboration on new restaurant Theodosia and a new spa.
Rental properties
For those who like a little more privacy at their accommodations, vacation rentals are a very popular in the OBX. You can stay in condos on the beach or eight bedrooms houses, that include amenities like sound side piers for your boat, inground pools, and playgrounds. Local companies like KEES Vacations or Twiddy can help you find the ideal place for your vacation.
Best beaches in the OBX
The Northern Outer Banks has 25-miles of beaches, with half accessible only via 4x4 vehicles, while the rest can be accessed with any vehicle. These beaches, like Carova & North Swan Beach offer an off the beaten path experience that is enhanced by the lack of crowds in the shoulder season. Make sure you have a beach parking permit before trying to access the 4x4 beaches.
Coquina Beach in Nag’s Head is also a part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and is right across from the Bodie Island Lighthouse.
The beaches on Ocracoke, the middle island in the OBX chain, are all a part of the Hatteras National Seashore. You can use the ferry to reach this undeveloped and protected slice of nature.
The beaches are all great for activities like kiteboarding, swimming, looking for seashells, and whatever else you like to do at the beach.
Best restaurants in the Outer Banks
The Outer Banks brings together a lot of the different kinds of culinary experiences that North Carolina offers.
Like the rest of North Carolina, the Outer Banks has many notable barbecue restaurants highlighting a combination of tang and spice that North Carolina is known for. At Corolla Village BBQ, dig into dishes like the BBQ chicken, paired with coleslaw. At Fat Crabs Rib Company, the Southern Sampler gives you a little taste of everything in a quaint village setting.
Seafood lovers can’t miss the fresh off the boat offerings you can get in the OBX. Ocracoke Oyster Company’s signature oysters provide a great example of the oysters, clams, and fish that are key part of Ocracoke’s identity. At the Low Tide Bar and Grill, dishes like fish tacos and the flounder are always a hit with guests.
The Kill Devil Grill is a former diner and is on the National Register of Historic Places, which offers a variety of classic dishes with a modern spin, like beer can shrimp and cheese steak rolls, as well as an apple crisp that can’t be missed.
Things to do in May in the Outer Banks
The Outer Banks may be best known for its beaches, but there’s so much more going on beside just pristine water and sand. Here’s are some of the many activities you can experience.
(Top ten best things to do in North Carolina.)
For nature lovers
The Outer Banks may consist of a slim chain of islands, but it's big on adventure. Spotting horses galloping across the shore is a particularly breathtaking experience. For the best chance to see them, book guided tours like Wild Horse Adventures and Corrola Jeep Adventures.
You can also check out the Nag’s Head Woods Nature Preserve while you’re in the area. It’s one of the largest, most diverse remaining maritime forests on the East Coast. Keep your eyes peeled for the 50 species of birds that nest there or the different types of mammals that call the preserve home, like the river otter.
For those who enjoy fishing
Anglers can cast their lines from any beach in the OBX, try near Cape Hatteras Point, for fish like red or black drum and pompano. Jennette’s Pier, at located in Nag’s Head, is ADA accessible, with Mobi-mats that allow wheelchair users access to the beach and pier.
Outfitters like Fly Fishing OBC take fly fishers out to either the sound side or the ocean side of the islands, chasing fish.
“May is when our season starts here in earnest,” says Harry Merkalis, owner of Fly Fishing OBX. “On the sound side we’re chasing schools of bluefish with good topwater action. Oceanside, the main species are cobia and bull reds”
Remember to check the fishing regulations before you go out and to purchase a fishing license.
For the thrill seekers
People don’t let the wind get in the way of fun in the OBX. In fact, they’ve embraced it. Kiteboarding is hugely popular and the Kiteboarding Kickoff Weekend (May 29-31) opens kiteboarding season, with demonstrations, gear talk, and games for kids. Hang gliding is also possible, with the Hang Gliding Spectacular happening mid-May.
For the history buffs
Fans of history will love places like the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk and the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. Visitors to the museum can learn about the maritime history of the area, which includes infamous pirates like Blackbeard.
For maritime fans, there are five lighthouses on the Outer Banks in total. Built in the 1870s, Currituck Beach Lighthouse is the only major lighthouse in the OBX with an unpainted, natural red brick exterior, and it still functions with its original Fresnel lens.
