Which Outer Banks Beach Is The Best Beach?

For the Outer Banks, with its reputation of soft sand and beautiful beaches, there is an obvious question. "Which Outer Banks Beach Is The Best Beach?"

Obvious question—yes. Obvious answer—no.

The best beach isn't just a set of scientific criteria. Dr. Beach himself, also known as Dr. Stephen Leatherman of Florida International University, has done that and his annual list of the 10 Best Beaches is widely anticipated. And Outer Banks beaches tend to do quite well in the rankings.

Best, however, is a somewhat subjective term.

Coquina Beach, as an example, on the south end of South Nags Head is a wonderful beach. Soft sand, wide area between the dunes and ocean, the facilities, parking lot and beach are maintained by the National Park Service. But for a family of four with a toddler and a six-year-old, it may not be the best beach; the nearest restaurants and stores are five miles north around Jennette's Pier.

Recognizing that best is based on what is best when it is being used, we have come up with our own Outer Banks Blue best beach list, based on who is using the beach and how it is being used.

In ranking our list, we are only looking at public access beaches. Duck and Southern Shores have some of the best quality sand and a wonderful atmosphere. However, both are reserved for residents and property owners of the town and their guests.

It's also important to note that because of beach nourishment, all Outer Banks beaches are wide with ample room between the dune line and surf. Beach nourishment is done to protect infrastructure, property and the shoreline. A happy byproduct is a wider, better beach.

Ocean Bay Drive Beach Access, Kill Devil Hills & Jennette's Pier, Nags Head
Everything a family with young children could want is within quick walking distance to the beach at both locations. There's good parking—with a slight nod to Jennette's Pier, the beach is wide and the sand is soft. The showers, changing facilities and restrooms are very well-maintained by the towns.

What really sets these two locations apart, though, is the easy access to two iconic Outer Banks convenience stores that carry everything from sunscreen to sandwiches.

At Jennette's Pier, it's Cahoons, which has been in business for more than 55 years.

In Kill Devil Hills, the Stop N Shop has been just across the beach road from the beach access has been supplying beach goers for almost 30 years.

Honorable mention goes to the Kitty Hawk Beach Access. Like Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head, the town does a great job of maintaining their facilities. KDH and Nags Head get higher marks because there are convenience stores right there. Neither place, though, has burgers, fries, dolphin boats and milkshakes as good as John's Drive-In. A bit too far to walk from the access, but the one minute car ride is worth the experience.

Coquina Beach, Nags Head & Currituck County Southern Beach Access
In the summer, couples hoping to get away from the crowds will find it challenging. Not impossible, but the most popular time of the year to visit the Outer Banks is the summer, and there are a lot of people here.

Our suggestion—Coquina Beach and the Currituck County Southern Beach Access are the southern most beach entry points in their areas. Turn right—south—when your feet hit the sand, and the crowds will thin a bit. They won't go away, but there will be a somewhat more space for time with a special someone.

Not quite as busy as July or August, the shoulder seasons are also an option. September through early October especially, daytime temperatures are still warm and the ocean water temperature ideal.

Carova
Where else can you swim in the surf with wild horses 75 or 80' away? Yes, there really are wild horses in Carova—horses that have been shown through genetic testing to be descendants of the Spanish Mustangs of the Conquistadores.

No one is sure about the exact number, but the herd seems to be between 100-120. During the summer, when it gets hot, they go to the beach for the same reason humans do...to cool off.

There are some really important things to know about Carova and the horses.

First—these are truly wild horses. Local law and common sense dictates staying at least 50' away from them.

About the Carova Beach—The beach going to Carova, which is on the North Carolina, Virginia state line, is a wide, wonderful beach. Or it would be if it wasn't also the road to Carova.

The paved road ends 11 miles south of Carova. The only access is along the beach in a 4WD vehicle. In the summer especially, it gets very busy. The speed limit is 25mph, but not everyone obeys that, so stay alert!.

Any Corolla Beach & Coquina Beach
In Corolla there should be no problem finding a place to park and get to the sand. Currituck County has eight public access parking lots with plenty of parking available.

Coquina Beach is the happy byproduct of beach nourishment. It is a wider, better beach. On a warm summer day with the sound of the surf rolling in, the sand on every Outer Banks beach will be perfectly soft.

Any Outer Banks beach.
If everything is packed, Coquina or any one of the Corolla Beaches would be perfect. If drinks or last minute items will be needed, either one of our "Best Beach for a Family with Children" winners will work very well.

A third option is the Kitty Hawk beach across the street from Winks on Ocean Boulevard. Winks is about as old-school Outer Banks as it gets, having survived various storms, nor'easters and many summers. Great sandwiches as well as drinks and sundry items. If the picnic fails, Art's Place, next door to Winks has excellent burgers.

The only drawback to the site is there are no public restroom facilities.

A cautionary note—the Southern Corolla Beach Access has great parking and outstanding facilities. However, it is also about 200 yards from the beach. The picnic basket may become heavy by the end of the walk.

It Depends

You've found the perfect vacation rental with all of the best features you can think of - a private pool, a dining table that seats the whole family, a pool table, and even your own private bathroom...but it's a little too far to walk to the beach. Thankfully, while some beach accesses may not have ample parking, quite a few do (another tip: get to the beach earlier in the morning for the best parking! The most popular time to go to the beach is around 1p.m.). In Kitty Hawk, the beach accesses with the largest lots are Byrd Street Beach and the Black Pelican Beach Access. Both lots are more than double the size of the standard beach access.

In Kill Devil Hills, you may want to check out Hayman Blvd. Beach, as the nearby lot is larger than many lots in KDH. Woodmere Avenue Beach access has a sizeable lot as well. In Nags Head, Bonnet Street Beach Access has quite a bit of parking available. If you need something a bit farther South, Epstein Public Beach Access is a good bet.

Even farthest South, E. Hardgrove Street Beach Access has the largest parking lot in all South Nags Head. Don't let the distance to the beach stop you from getting your dream house; plan ahead and find the easiest beach access for your crew to get to!

It Depends