The Outer Banks are barrier islands off the coast of the U.S. state of North Carolina, separating the Atlantic Ocean from the mainland. Their open-sea beaches, state parks and shipwreck diving sites make them a popular holiday destination. The Outer Banks are a major tourist destination and are known around the world for their subtropical climate and wide expanse of open beachfront. The Outer Banks is a series of barrier islands that jut out off the coast of North Carolina. A collection of sand bars, really. From north to south: Northern Beaches, Roanoke Island & Dare Mainland and Hatteras. These islands, now connected by a series of bridges, each have their own history, geographical features and culture creating three different and exciting vacation spots The Outer Banks, aka OBX, is a special place for everybody that comes here. They say that once you get a little Outer Banks sand in your shoes and some saltwater in your blood, you’ll want to move out here for good. There’s some validity to that when you look at how many of our visitors come back here year after year and how many of our families come back generation after generation. There are plenty of ways to play, and fun activities to try at the Outer Banks.