The spot preserves 2,600 acres of marshland, beaches, and upland maritime forest.
Weve come to explore its miles upon miles of meandering water trails that zigzag aroundtiny islandsin the Currituck Sound.
The water rolls along in silent ripples, the breeze almost undetectable.
Kayaking in the waterways of Audubon Pine Island Sanctuary.Credit:Peter Frank Edwards
When all goes completely still, the reflection of every last cloud is mirrored on the waters glassy surface.
Like us, the wildlife is just waking up to greet the day.
Sunrise here is more than worth the early call time.
Joe O’Grady is the owner of Coastal Kayak.
The Outer Banks have a funny way of doing that.
And still, the narrow strip of sand persists.
If youre a first-time visitor, it pays to know the lay of the land.
Kayak tours traverse the quiet channels of Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary.
Heres a look at four of our favorites.
These wide expanses of dense maritime forest are largely left alone.
We like to say that were preserving the Outer Banks as they used to be, Fearn explains.
Lifesaving stations have been pivotal to keeping sailors safe in the volatile waters that border these barrier islands.
And all of Corolla seems to be committed to that sentiment.
The herd roams freely on the sandy shores of Corolla and Carova and in protected marshes and meadows.
To see them, book a tour with a local outfitter or rent a four-wheel drive vehicle.
Climb to the top of Bodie Island Lighthouse for panoramic views.
The road to get to their home isnt along the beach, it is the beach.
Another piece of the preservation puzzle in Corolla can be seen atCurrituck Beach Lighthouse.
The towering redbrick beacon was built in 1875 to illuminate the last remaining dark stretch of the East Coast.
Egrets are just one of many wading birds native to the Outer Banks.Credit:Peter Frank Edwards
Your reward for your climb?
A magnificent 360-degree vista of the sound, the sea, and Corolla below.
Ice-cream shops spaced practically every quarter mile provide even more opportunities to satiate your sweet tooth.
Credit:Peter Frank Edwards
An Outer Banks treasure, The Blue Point has been open since 1989.
Its menu focuses on locally sourced ingredients, fresh-caught seafood, and Southern flavors.
Pools of blackberry-sorghum coulis add color and a hint of sweetness.
Afterward, we amble down the Town Boardwalk to catch the sunset.
Take your pick, and settle in for a memorable stay.
One of the most distinctive spots is the Nags Head Beach Cottages Historic District.
Nags Head is a place of tradition, which is why visitors return year after year.
They book the same accommodations and stop by the same restaurants and attractions without a second thought.
Its popular with anglers, who purchase passes to cast lines seven days a week.
A boardwalk connects all the major attractions in the resort town of Duck.Credit:Peter Frank Edwards
Bring your own gear, or rent rods and buy bait from the on-site shop.
Everyone knows the Outer Banks as the spot where the Wright brothers famously achieved their first powered flight.
But the experience, which is suitable for anyone over the age of 4, couldnt be easier.
The BackBar at Blue Point Restaurant is an idyllic place to watch the sun set over the sound.Credit:Peter Frank Edwards
Everyone in our group easily sticks the dismount, landing firmly on two feet.
Wanchese is largely residential, but Manteo (and its many historic attractions) is popular with visitors.
Shops to check out includeNestfor home goods and accessories,Downtown Books, andSilver Bonsai Galleryfor local art.
Colorful rental homes on the beach in Nags Head.Credit:Peter Frank Edwards
The island, as a whole, was actually the location of the first English colony in North America.
Fast-forward a few hundred years atIsland Farm, a living-history site that depicts the 1850s.
If the sights remind you of Mayberry, your eyes arent deceiving you.
Jennette’s Pier is a popular spot for anglers and beachgoers.Credit:Peter Frank Edwards
Whether every detail is true is left for us to work out on our own.
While some of DAmbras stories verge on myth, one thing he wont fudge on is history.
In many ways the overarching theme of the Outer Banks is firsts.
Sam & Omie’s has been in business since 1937.
He recounts them all: the first colony, the first flight, and the first light of freedom.
The tour wraps up looking out over Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse.
Search far and wideyou wont find anywhere like it.
A lunch spread at Sam & Omie’s including Hatteras Island Chowder, a shrimp burger, and fried fish.
Private beach yoga and fitness classes can be booked through the concierge.
Kitty Hawk Kites leads hang gliding classes at Jockey’s Ridge State Park.Credit:Peter Frank Edwards
Manteo is one of two historic towns on Roanoke Island.Credit:Peter Frank Edwards
Re-enactors depict life on Roanoke Island in the 1850s at Island Farm.
See blacksmithing at Island Farm.
Longtime resident Francis D’Ambra leads historic walking tours around Manteo.Credit:Peter Frank Edwards
Credit:Courtesy of The Sanderling Resort
The Wellness Deck at Pamlico Station.Credit:Peter Frank Edwards
The White Doe Inn in Manteo.Credit:Peter Frank Edwards
