Nags Head Beaches are some of the most beloved stretches of OBX coastline. Simple pleasures, uncrowded spaces and lots of options. Find the access area just right for you and pair it with your trip to Jockey’s Ridge.
Stop #1 On The OBX Vacation
Located on Bodie Island on the NC coast, Nags Head is one of the main crossroads for the outer banks. The 30+ public beach access areas are scattered along 16 miles of the town’s beach front.
Not all access points have parking but they average around 20 parking spots per access. During the warm months these parking areas are filled up by about 10-11am daily. There is little additional parking in the area so be warned.
Also keep in mind this is one of the first stops many people have when coming to the outer banks. It is not uncommon for these areas to fill up fast. Best advice is to continue driving down the island if you can not find a parking spot. Chances are, you will see one at the next stop.
Beach!
The main attraction to any beach is… well the sand and water. The outer banks are known for their gentle slopping beaches and emerald green waters. Nags Head checks all these boxes. Though parking can be a little tight, the beaches are rarely over crowded. Since parking is limited and the beach is spacious, you will always be able to find a chunk of sand to spread out on if you found a parking spot.
Madilyn and I explored this beach without Kaitlyn the first time we came. We came to the Conch Street public access by chance. This access point is right across the street from Jockey’s Ridge State Park and just down the street from The Wright Brothers Memorial. We tried out our Shibumi shade for the first time that day (we are now a part of the cult). The last time we came to the beach, your beach umbrella bit the dust. The Shibumi shades are all over the NC beaches so we decided to make the plunge. I have to say it was worth it. Kaitlyn also found a beach blanket that matches the colors perfectly.
The beach has fair depth. Not so deep that it takes too long to get to the water and not too shallow that the beach is cramped. Unfortunately, there are not too many shells. The beach is well trafficked so you are unlikely to make any big finds here like you find at Cape Lookout National Seashore.
An important note is that all of these beaches are dog friendly year round. Be warry of beach access in adjacent towns that may not be so pet friendly.
Some Added Amenities… or Not
Like I mentioned, there are over 30 public beach access within the city. Each one has its own ups and down. The amenities offered at each access point varies greatly. Some are little more than a path through the dune line to the beach. Others have full shower areas, bathrooms, pet waste bags, life guard and even a bath house. Our friends over at www.obxbeachaccess.com have done a slick job maintaining a live map of these amenities by access area.
Before you come, do some self-reflection of what you need/want from your beach experience. The fewer amenities you need, the easier it will be to find a parking spot. Also consider if you could instead have that amenity at an adjacent access. If so, consider the access areas on either side of one with your desired feature. This can open up some more options.
The Conch Street Public access we used was very bare. The access has a parking area and that was about it. We did have the added benefit of a gas station across the street. Other access point are commonly across the street from restaurants, breweries and other fun stops. My current favorite Nags Head restaurant, Tortuga’s Lie and the Swells’a Brewing fall into that category.
The Piers
There are several Piers on the Nags Head Beaches. Jennets Pier, Nags Head Pier and The Outer Banks Fishing pier are their names. I plan to do a more in depth review of each of these since they are not easy to archetype. A lot of people do tend to flock to these areas since they offer fishing opportunities and overlooks. Do be careful if you intend to be in the water near these piers.
Overall
Nags Head beaches offer a fair array of amenities, beach quality and comfort. Though the parking situation may be frustrating for some out-of-town visitors, it makes for a more serene beach once you get you toes in the sand. If you do a little planning then you can make sure all of your bases are covered.
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