north carolina dolphin tours

Nags Head Dolphin Watch – Dolphin Tours

Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research

Meet the Crew

Schedule a Daytime Tour

Schedule a Sunset Tour

Book online, pick a date range that best matches your visit.

Select a start AND end date. Select the same date twice to choose only one day

Selected Dates

Call 1-877-359-8447 to Reserve over the phone.

Daytime trip pricing.

• Adult - $32
• Child (12 & Under) - $18 per Child
• Infant (1 & Under) - $1 per infant

Sunset Trip Pricing

• Adult - $37
• Child (12 & Under) - $22 per Child

Location(s)

Nags head – whalebone, shallowbag bay club, oregon inlet fishing center, nags head, nc.

Our Dolphin Tours are VERY popular so we encourage you to book well in advance to secure your spot on this wonderful experience.

Join us on a unique eco-tour to search for wild Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and view the wildlife of the Outer Banks. Aboard our covered 40 foot pontoon boat, you will observe bottlenose dolphins, pelicans, and osprey!

Outer Banks Dolphin Tours

Join us on a unique eco-tour to search for wild Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Also, view the wildlife of the Outer Banks! Biologists run these dolphin tours as part of their research on these beloved aquatic animals. So you know this will be an interesting trip. Passengers will be able to see how researchers with the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research, a nonprofit organization, conduct their research. And hear about some of the discoveries from more than a decade of studies and monitoring.

Conducted on 40-foot covered pontoon boats in the Roanoke Sound, the trip takes around 2 hours. Along the way, researchers will talk about their work and share their discoveries from their ongoing study. While the boat is moving, dolphins will be playing in their natural habitat alongside the vessel. Passengers will also learn about the pelicans, osprey and other birds that congregate in the sounds, as well as the ecology and history of this dynamic area. The Outer Banks is an ideal place to take a dolphin boat trip to learn more about these miraculous creatures. These excursions will get you close enough to safely connect with these incredible animals and to experience them in the wild, in a world where humans are visitors and the bottlenose dolphin is happily at home. A great trip for families and people of all ages!

Note: Per Coast Guard regulations, infants DO count as passengers. Therefore, we must know the total number of people in your party – including infants.

About the Dolphins

Some of the hundreds of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in the area show up so frequently they’ve even been given names, like “Rake,” “Scarlet,” and “Onion.” Onion was first identified in Beaufort, North Carolina almost 20 years ago, and he has been sighted there almost every winter since. Apparently, Nags Head is his summer home, along with an extensive family of more than 100 members. When he was young, Onion had an unfortunate encounter with a boat propeller and his damaged fin has made him one of the most easily recognized dolphins around.

About the Vessels:

The Nags Head Dolphin Watch conducts its tours in the Roanoke Sound in between Nags Head and Manteo. The Nags Head Dolphin Watch operates two separate vessels conducting the same tour to see the same dolphin. You can have virtually the same experience aboard each boat, they simply depart from slightly different locations. The different locations are about a 5-7 minute drive apart from each other.

The Pheonix docks at Whalebone Watersports (Nags Head)

The Safari docks at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center (Nags Head)

The Miss Bodie Island docks at Shallowbag Bay Club (Manteo)

Fins Up! A day on the water with the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research My Outer Banks Home Magazine – July 6, 2016 by Meg Puckett

On a sunny, breezy day toward the end of May, a pontoon boat bounces across the whitecaps on the Roanoke Sound, heading south from Whalebone Junction in search of some of the Outer Banks’ most charismatic residents: bottlenose dolphins. The boat is filled with people from all over the country (okay, today they’re mostly all from Ohio, but that’s still a long way from the Outer Banks!) eager to catch a glimpse of these storied marine mammals. We cannot guarantee that you will see dolphins during the tour, but that just serves as a reminder that these are wild animals, and seeing them in their natural habitat is a very special thing. Read More >

Private Trips

Outer banks adventures.

© 2024 Kitty Hawk Kites

Indepth Information and Live Local Updates for the Outer Banks

Paradise Dolphin Cruises

Dolphin tours on roanoke island, nc.

Paradise Dolphin Cruises located in Wanchese, NC, operates the  Kokomo , a 40-foot catamaran that carries 40 passengers and offers a comfortable ride with a canopied top, cushioned seats and a restroom. The boat's location at Safe Harbor Outer Banks offers the closest access to the waters where these amazing creatures are most often found. Paradise offers four two-hour dolphin cruises daily Monday – Friday and 2 cruises on Saturday with the last trip being a dolphin cruise/sunset cruise for $25 to $35 per person. As you search for dolphins, you'll also enjoy the local scenery and learn about the other wildlife you will encounter. The boat is handicapped accessible and is available for private parties. Reservations are required for dolphin tours and sunset cruises so call ahead.

(252) 573-0547

Bottlenose dolphins, ospreys, lighthouses and more..

As you embark on our 2 hour journey, you'll witness some of the most spectacular scenes enjoyed in coastal North Carolina.

Dolphin Tours Outer Banks

Outer Banks Cruises

Monday - Saturday | 8am - 6:30pm

If you do not see dolphins you get to ride again for FREE. With our 98.5% success rate of viewing dolphins, the odds are definitely in your favor!

Monday Family Day

*All Cruises ADULTS 11 & UP: $25 CHILDREN 3-10: $25 AGES 0-2: FREE

Tuesday - Saturday

*Daytime cruises ADULTS 11 & UP: $30 CHILDREN 3-10: $25 AGES 0-2: FREE *Sunset Cruises ADULTS 11 & UP: $35 CHILDREN 3-10: $25 AGES 0-2: FREE

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time for a cruise, do you guarantee that i will see dolphins, can i feed the dolphins, can i swim with the dolphins, how long are your cruises, are reservations required, what should i bring with me, where does the cruise go.

No wonder so many of our visitors keep coming back and recommending us. See what they have to say...

“Excellent Time!”

We saw lots of dolphins. The captain was very knowledgeable and made sure we saw the dolphins. He was very friendly. I enjoyed this cruise and this is made for friends and families.

“Awesome Experience”

Captain Jay never disappoints, we come to OBX every year and do his dolphin tour every time. Awesome experience every time!!!

“Great tour!!!”

Great tour of the sound from the Captain and his mate. We went out Friday morning the 5th of August. We saw lots of dolphins, toured the sound and got a great education on the dolphins...

“Highlight of OBX Vacation”

This was a highlight of our OBX vacation! It took about 30 minutes to locate some dolphins, but suddenly they were all around! We sat at the front of the boat and would have gotten soaked...

See all of our reviews on Tripadvisor !

Offers & Specials

Outer Banks Info

The Kokomo leaves from Safe Harbor Outer Banks in the village of Wanchese on the south end of Roanoke Island.

Reservations

Reservations are required so please book ahead of time to be sure space is available. A credit card is required to hold your reservation.

Connect With Us

(252) 573-0547 708 Harbor Rd Wanchese, NC 27981    

#1 Travelers' Choice

Read Reviews

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  NAGS  HEAD  DOLPHIN  WATCH  TOURS

THREE   LOCATIONS !!

click the button above to book online or call (252)441-4124 or toll free at (877)FLY-THIS

Private Charters are available so call for pricing

" Abo ut our tours"

                                                             , j oin us on a unique eco-tour to search for wild atlantic bottlenose dolphins and view the wildlife of the outer banks. biologists run these dolphin tours as part of their research on these beloved aquatic animals, so you know this will be an interesting trip. passengers will be able to see how researchers with the outer banks center for dolphin research , a nonprofit organization, conduct their research and hear about some of the discoveries from more than a decade of studies and monitoring. some of the hundreds of atlantic bottlenose dolphins in the area show up so frequently they’ve even been given names, like “rake,” “scarlet,” and “onion.” onion was first identified in beaufort, north carolina almost 20 years ago, and he has been sighted there almost every winter since. it has been discovered that nags head is his summer home, along with an extensive family of more than 100 members. in his early years, onion had an unfortunate encounter with a boat propeller and his damaged fin has made him one of the most easily recognized dolphins around. .

Conducted on a 40-foot covered pontoon boat in the Roanoke Sound, the trip takes one and a half to two hours. Along the way, researchers will talk about their work and share their discoveries from their ongoing study. While the boat is moving, dolphins will be playing in their natural habitat alongside the vessel. Passengers will also learn about the pelicans, osprey and other birds that congregate in the sounds, as well as the ecology and history of this dynamic area. The Outer Banks is an ideal place to take a dolphin boat trip to learn even more about these miraculous creatures. These excursions will get you close enough to safely connect with these incredible animals and to experience them in the wild, in a world where humans are visitors and the bottlenose dolphin is happily at home. A great trip for families and people of all ages!

The Dolphin Watch Tours are the perfect outing for large and small groups and is suitable for people of all ages. For reservations you may reserve by calling (877) 359-8447 or (252) 441-4124, ext. 1 for reservations. The Dolphin Watch Tour is very popular so we encourage you to book well in advance to secure your spot on this wonderful experience.

THREE   LOCATIONS!!

Phoenix –  Located on the Nags Head Causeway // Kitty Hawk Kites/Whalebone Junction

7517 South Virginia Dare Trail on the south side of NC 64 Hwy that connects Nags Head and Roanoke Island.  You will board the Phoenix at the Kitty Hawk Kites Whalebone Watersports site - yellow building with a blue roof.  Also available at this site you can rent kayaks, standup paddleboards and jet skis so make a day of it.  Next door is Fresh Fit Cafe ,  serving breakfast, lunch and great smoothies.

Safari – located in south nags head at the oregon inlet fishing center,                this is our largest boat  the safari is in the oregon inlet fishing center located at 8770 oregon inlet road, nags head, nc  27959, (some mapping programs find us at 98 nc hwy 12, nags head, nc  27959).  this is a full service marina and ships store with snacks, drinks, souvenirs and tackle.  on site are 46 charter boats and "head boat" to meet all your fishing needs.  also, there is a nc fish & wildlife boat ramp for launching your own boat., miss bodie island – located in manteo at the shallowbag bay marina,  you will board the miss bodie island at shallow bag bay marina located at 700  n. bay club drive, manteo, nc  27954,  (between darryl's restaurant and mcdonald's).  park in any non-reserved parking space.  we are at the floating dock in front of the pool and clubhouse area.  for added convenience to our guests, stripers bar and grill is located onsite so you can enjoy a great meal or a cool drink on the waterfront deck before or after your dolphin tour.  don't forget to visit historic downtown manteo while you are here ..

Safari Dolphin Tours

And sunset cruises, dolphin tours, sunset cruises, it's time for fun on the water.

There's no better place to discover fun on the water than with Safari Tours on the Outer Banks!

Join us for Dolphin Watching Tours , Sunset Cruises , Wildlife, Eco Tours and more! We are here to make sure your family and friends experience the FUN of the Outer Banks!

Call Today (800) 272-5199

Cruise with Dolphins

Enjoy a beautiful outer banks sunset cruise while watching dolphins play., join us on a dolphin watch sunset cruise near you in the outer banks on board the miss hatteras., climb aboard the miss hatteras head boat for a fun evening cruise as you watch a beautiful sunset with dolphins playing in the pamlico sound..

Join us on the Miss Hatteras head boat for a relaxing sunset cruise through the Pamlico Sound as we watch dolphins jump and play! Pack a few snacks, a couple of cold drinks, good friends and family and enjoy watching the sunset as we watch for the playful dolphins.

We take you and yours out for a fun and enjoyable evening complete with dramatic sunsets and beautiful dolphins. Have your camera ready!

A dolphin sunset cruise on the Miss Hatteras  is sure to be an extraordinary adventure! Book your trip today!

Pictures from our Outer Banks Dolphin Cruises

Scroll through to see some dolphins playing in the pamlico sound..

Set sail with us! Book your trip >>

Here’s what you need to know about our sunset dolphin cruises in the Outer Banks.

Enjoy live music on our dolphin cruises.

Our dolphin cruises run every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Each evening will feature live music on the top deck from talented local musicians. If music isn’t your thing, head down below where you can enjoy a nice peaceful evening on the water. To learn more about our live music, please check out our Live Music Sunset Cruise page.

Our dolphin cruise is fun and affordable for the whole family.

A sunset dolphin cruise on the Miss Hatteras costs $33.50 per person, and kids 3 and under ride free! We have trips near you that run every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

Depending on the season and when sunset occurs, we may change our schedule slightly. For instance, in the spring and fall, we tend to cruise from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. As with all our other trips, please be at the dock a half hour before we cast off.

Don’t forget to pack some snacks and drinks!

Most folks tend to bring a cooler with some refreshments, food, drinks, alcoholic beverages, etc.

We don’t sell any refreshments on-board, so remember to bring some snacks and drinks for you and your friends or family! Our Frequently Asked Question page covers everything you need to know about coming aboard with us.

We offer various trips to fit into anyone’s schedule and budget.

We also offer half-day and full-day fishing trips, and even private charters! For the complete schedule of all our fishing trips and scenic cruises, check out our Miss Hatteras Rates and Schedule page.

An evening on the Pamlico Sound with dolphins is one you’ll never forget.

We’ve been operating our head boat in the Outer Banks for over 30 years, and we’d love to add you to our list of satisfied customers. For more information about our services click here to contact us or give us a call at  (252) 986-2365 .

Outer Banks Fishing Charters & Waterfowl Hunts

Dolphin Tours North Carolina

Fish and Fowl Charters offers a way for you and your family to make a dolphin encounter part of your next vacation or outing with our dolphin tours in North Carolina's Outer Banks. Our dolphin tours last between one and a half to two hours and are fun for the whole family. Experience close encounters with dolphins that will circle and cruise around passengers  setting you up for some amazing photo opportunities.

Dolphin Tours in North Carolina

Dolphin tours outer banks north carolina.

Dolphin Tours in North Carolina are a wonderful experience, allowing you to see all of the wildlife and beauty that makes up the Outer Banks firsthand. The Outer Banks is an ideal place to take a dolphin tour to learn about these miraculous creatures as this is their natural habitat.

Dolphin Tours in Outer Banks

Obx dolphin tours.

Friendly and always traveling in groups, a pod of dolphins is an amazing sight and is one of the best photo opportunities that you will find in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Fish and Fowl Charters dolphin tour takes you on an adventure that is fun for the whole family. Make memories that you and your loved ones will cherish for years to come.

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Where To See Dolphins In North Carolina – 2024 Guide

Welcome to the beautiful coastal state of North Carolina, where the waters are home to some of the most playful and intelligent creatures on the planet – dolphins!

I love seeing dolphins out in the wild so when I heard that they’re common in North Carolina, of course I had to head over there to check it out.

Based on firsthand experience, the best place to spot dolphins in North Carolina is in Kitty Hawk which forms part of the Outer Banks .

To see the dolphins up close and personal, I’d recommend booking onto a kayaking tour as the expert guides will show you where to find dolphins without fail.

But wait, there’s more! In the rest of this article, I’ll be revealing all of the exact locations in North Carolina where you have a great chance of seeing dolphins.

Table of Contents

Best Places To See Dolphins In North Carolina

There are actually many locations across North Carolina where sightings of wild dolphins are super common. 

Below I’ve detailed all of these locations and included some handy tips that will drastically increase your chances of seeing them for yourself.

Where To See Dolphins In Outer Banks

The Outer Banks are a 200-mile string of barrier islands just off the coast of North Carolina that separate the Atlantic Ocean from the mainland. 

Sightings of dolphins are common along the Outer Banks. Many bottlenose dolphins spend their summer in the waters of the Outer Banks and then migrate south for the winter.

As the Outer Banks covers 200 miles, there’s many locations within it where you can spot dolphins from their shores.

I’ve listed the best places below…

I found that by far the best place to see dolphins in the Outer Banks is at Kitty Hawk. 

Kitty Hawk, located in the heart of the Outer Banks, is a beach town known for its woodland and variety of animal life. Dolphin sightings are outrageously common here.

On my recent trip to Kitty Hawk, I saw about 10 dolphins all within the space of 10 minutes! It was incredible and I felt so lucky.

I watched as they jumped up out of the water and then carried in their merry way to search for food.

Personally I think the best (and most fun) way to see the dolphins is to get out onto the water and luckily there’s so many different ways you can do that in Kitty Hawk.

Best Kitty Hawk Tours:

• Kayaking Tour (top pick)
• Stand-up Paddleboarding Tour
• Surfing Lesson (suitable for beginners)

All of the above tours give you a super high chance of seeing a dolphin as you’ll be out on the water itself and you’ll be joined by an expert guide who knows the area well.

You’ll also get a much closer view of the dolphins out on the water compared to if you were just stood on the shore.

I personally ended up booking the kayaking tour and really enjoyed it. It was so easy to stop whenever we wanted to take a look at the dolphins and the guides were really fun.

The dolphins you’ll see in Kitty Hawk are Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.

Check out the video below of some dolphins playing in the ocean at Kitty Hawk:

Nag’s Head is a beach town and popular vacation spot that is known for its sandy beaches and towering sand dunes. 

Hundreds of dolphins come to Nag’s Head each year and some of the regular visitors have even been given names. 

Look out for ‘Onion’ and his family who were first spotted over 20 years ago and have been sighted there almost every year since. Onion is easily recognisable due to his damaged fin.

Unfortunately I wasn’t lucky enough to spot Onion at Nag’s Head but I did see around 7 or so other dolphins who all looked like they were having a great time.

You can view dolphins at a distance from the beaches of Nag’s Head but you may get a closer view by heading out on a kayak.

I personally opted for the kayak and saw way more dolphins than from the shore.

Check out the video below to see some of the many dolphins of Nag’s Head:

Hatteras Island

Hatteras Island is a large island that forms the southwestern tip of the Outer Banks. Dolphins are frequently spotted cruising along the shore or just off the island’s inlets.

You can spot the dolphins all over Hatteras Island on its many beaches, however one popular spot is in Hatteras Village. 

Check out the video below of some dolphins spotted around Hatteras Island:

Where Else Can I See Dolphins In North Carolina?

It’s not just the Outer Banks that have a huge population of dolphins. You can also see these magnificent creatures elsewhere in the state.

Below I’ve listed all of the other places across North Carolina where you can see dolphins.

There are lots of dolphins present in the Wilmington area. Whilst you can’t swim with dolphins in Wilmington, you can see them from the shore of various beaches.

Wilmington is a city located on the southeastern coast of North Carolina. 

I visited several beaches in the area and found that the best place to see dolphins in Wilmington was at nearby Wrightsville Beach . I saw 3 dolphins in the ocean from this beach.

One of the best ways to see them is by booking onto a boat tour . You can enjoy the scenic views of Wrightsville Beach and catch a glimpse of the dolphins at the same time.

You could also book a private tour just for you if you’d prefer. 

Dolphins can also sometimes be spotted at the nearby Carolina Beach.

Check out the video below of a dolphin spotted at Wrightsville Beach:

Topsail Island

Topsail Island is a 26-mile barrier island located just off the coast of North Carolina. The island lies just 40 miles northeast of Wilmington. 

For the best views of the dolphins, head down to Topsail Beach where you can often see dolphins swimming in groups, jumping out of the water and playing with each other.

When I visited, I was lucky enough to spot a group of dolphins playing together, splashing around happily.

There are many beaches on Topsail Island to choose from, you can hire an electric bike to easily get around the island.

You can see some dolphins just off of Topsail Island in the video below:

Beaufort is a small town on North Carolina’s eastern coast and forms part of the Crystal Coast.

Bottlenose dolphins can be seen in the waters surrounding Beaufort year-round and sightings are common. 

In contrast to other locations in North Carolina, sightings of dolphins along the Crystal Coast are actually more frequent during the winter months (rather than the summer).

The best way to see them is by joining a boat tour in the area. 

The same waters surround other places along the Crystal Coast including Morehead City, Atlantic Beach, Harkers Island and Shackleford Banks.

Dolphin sightings are also common in these locations too.

Check out the video below of a dolphin sighting in Beaufort: 

Find out where you can see dolphins in Texas .

Cape Lookout National Seashore

The Cape Lookout National Seashore is a 56-mile stretch of islands that forms part of the Southern Outer Banks. 

The islands here are largely undeveloped and attract visitors for their variety of wildlife, nature and sandy beaches. Bottlenose dolphins are frequently sighted in the area. 

Best Time To See Dolphins In North Carolina

Whilst dolphins can be spotted all year round off the coast of North Carolina, the most frequent sightings occur during the summer months.

Dolphins tend to spend more time in the waters around North Carolina during the summer to raise their young. 

The dolphins tend to arrive in May when they give birth to their young and they tend to remain here until late fall when they then move to warmer waters.

However, there are many areas around North Carolina where dolphins can be seen all year such as Hatteras Island.

The best time of day to see dolphins in North Carolina is in the morning and late afternoon as they tend to avoid the heat of the sun during the daytime.

Can You Swim With The Dolphins?

The dolphins present in the waters around North Carolina are wild dolphins . This means it’s not possible to swim with them.

Even though you can’t swim with or touch the dolphins, you can still get up close and personal with them and get some fantastic views either from the shore or from a boat or kayak.

Did you know you can also see dolphins in South Carolina ?

And that’s it!

That’s exactly where to see dolphins in North Carolina from the Outer Banks all the way to Wilmington.

If you’re lucky enough to spend some time with these beautiful creatures then I can assure you that it’ll be something you remember for a lifetime.

Learn more about the Traveller's Elixir Team .

Outer Banks Dolphin Guide

Special thanks to the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research and Nags Head Dolphin Tours for supporting this content. The Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research is a non-profit organization engaged in a long-term photo-identification study of bottlenose dolphins in the northern Outer Banks of North Carolina. Nags Head Dolphin Watch provides sightseeing boat tours that get visitors close to Outer Banks dolphins. Call them at (252) 449-8999 .

Like an unexpected gift, the sighting of dolphins along the Outer Banks delights and amuses many summer visitors. Many people view these chance encounters as a treasured highlight to a relaxing vacation and will happily spend hours observing the dolphins' antics. What few people realize is that they are likely viewing the same group of dolphins, day after day and summer after summer. Some bottlenose dolphins will spend their summers in the waters of the Outer Banks and then migrate south for the winter only to return again in the early summer the next year. This early migration has led some people to call them the "Retirees of the Sea."

Besides viewing the dolphins at a distance from the beach you might have a chance encounter with a dolphin while kayaking or sailing. The most certain way to get "up close and personal" with a dolphin is to take a ride on one of the popular Dolphin Watch boat trips . While no guarantees can be offered on these trips, they usually have a better than 90% chance of encountering dolphins.

One benefit of a Dolphin Watch trip is to be able to get really close to the dolphins, since they usually swim right near the boat. If you look closely you might even be able to see that the dolphins' fins (which appear smooth at a distance) are actually covered with nicks and scratches. It is these marks that dolphin researchers have used to identify over 300 dolphins in the Outer Banks. The most famous of these is Onion, perhaps the easiest dolphin to identify on the entire East Coast. Onion and his family spend their summers in the Nags Head area, and their winters off of Beaufort, N.C.

Dolphins were first documented to inhabit our sound and ocean waters by the original English explorers, prior to the founding of the Lost Colony. These explorers found that native tribes were well acquainted with the dolphins and even hunted them for food. Since Onion's group is known to have inhabited these waters for well over a decade, it is even possible that his ancestors have been living in these waters for several centuries. They might even be our oldest Local Family.

But are they dolphins or porpoises? Many people believe that the two terms are interchangeable, when in fact they are vastly different species. The main way to distinguish between them is simple: porpoises have a blunt, whale-like head while dolphins do not.

Dolphins perceive the world in ways that are well beyond the scope of our own senses. Whereas we rely mainly on sight and hearing and retain the senses of touch, taste and smell, they have had to adapt in different ways to suit their aquatic environment. While sight, touch and taste are important, their primary source of information is hearing-which they have developed to an extraordinary degree. Sound travels through the water nearly 5 times faster than through air and can be heard over much longer distances below the surface. They have highly developed hearing abilities, and a large portion of their brains are devoted to the analysis of sounds.

The coastal bottlenose dolphins that frequent our sound and ocean waters return to Oregon Inlet, Roanoke, and Croatan sounds every year as soon as the waters warm and the fish they feed on are in abundance. Dolphins are social animals, and they spend their entire lives in the company of other dolphins. The pods of 3 or 4 (and up to 40) dolphins will range in age from newborns to fifty years old, and physically mature adults range in size from just under 6 feet to nearly 12 feet, and weigh from 330 lbs. to 1430 lbs. The bottlenose dolphin shows a more striking range in size between individuals than any dolphin species.

Living together in the protective sound waters improves their chances of finding and catching food, increases the likelihood of spotting and avoiding predators such as sharks, makes it easier to encounter a suitable mate, provides a source of willing and available babysitters to look after the calves, and increases the learning potential of youngsters. Often these pods will band together to succeed in foraging for food, encircling groups of tiny fish and corralling them against the surface of the water which acts as an impenetrable barrier (the fish can often be seen jumping frantically into the air in a desperate bid to escape) and taking turns diving into the tightly packed shoal to feed on the fish. In some cases, the dolphins may stun the fish with exceptionally powerful echolocation clicks with their tail flukes.

A close encounter with a dolphin in the wild is a thrilling and memorable experience. Who could remain untouched by the amazing agility of a bottlenose dolphin as it leaps into the air beside a boat, or as it exhales a breath of air causing a cloud of spray to shoot 10 feet into the air before disappearing under the surface again, or a young calf breathing out of the water in stride with its mother, never missing a beat? These are the kinds of experiences that stay with people for the rest of their lives.

Northern Beaches

• 4. Southern Shores
• 5. Kitty Hawk
• 6. Kill Devil Hills
• 7. Nags Head

Roanoke Island

• 9. Wanchese

Hatteras Island

• 10. Rodanthe
• 16. Hatteras

Ocracoke Island

• 17. Ocracoke

Outer Banks Map

Events & Family Fun

• Dare Day Festival June 1st, 2024 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
• The Lost Colony 2024 Season May 30th, 2024 - June 1st, 2024 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
• The Lost Colony 2024 Season June 3rd, 2024

No trip to the Outer Banks is complete without cruising through Brew Thru, the Outer Banks’ original drive thru convenience store. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing cold beverage of Coke, Pepsi and other soft drinks on the go, stocking up your cooler with refreshments to enjoy at the beach or piling up on beer and wine for a party, Brew Thru is a fun and unique experience all vacationers need to see for themselves.

Brew Thru is Your One-Stop Shop at the Beach

The year was 1977, and Dana and Becky Lawrentz were chatting with friends over brews in their hometown of Akron, Ohio. They got to talking about a gas station convenience store in the area that had built a makeshift drive-through. Everyone agreed it would be pretty great if you could actually drive through a convenience store and pick up everything you needed without getting out of the car. But what would you call a place like that?

Well, you’d call it a Brew Thru.

It was an idea they couldn’t shake, so the Lawrentzes moved to the Outer Banks and built the first Brew Thru with the help of a partner. The idea was that people could come buy everything they would need for their trip to the beach—beer, wine, soft drinks, snacks, ice—without getting out of the car. That same year, a t-shirt salesman visiting the store and talked them into adding t-shirts to their product line—and 44 years later there are now more than five million Brew Thru t-shirts out in the wild.

The Lawrentzes’ daughter Brandy and her husband Philip Foreman purchased the business from them in 2002, and they now operate five locations across the Outer Banks.“We love being the one-stop shop for folks on the way to their beach house,” Foreman says. “Our car tenders are the friendliest people at the beach. We’re here to greet you, get you everything you need for your trip, load it up in the trunk for you, and have you leaving with a smile on your face.”

The store is quite expansive, featuring more than 100 brands of beer, dozens of wines and even a vast selection of cigars—not to mention all the snacks, t-shirts and other gear. To make ordering a little easier, customers in line get a menu—fondly known as the Summer-y—that outlines everything available at the store. These Summer-ies are also available in many of the beach rentals, which allows vacationers to decide what they want before driving through.

For customers who would like to get out and stretch their legs, there’s the Brew Thru Shop in Kill Devil Hills, where you can find their world famous t-shirts and other gifts. New t-shirt designs are created each year, making a yearly Brew Thru t-shirt a favorite of locals and annual visitors to the Outer Banks.

The Foremans both grew up in the Outer Banks, and they love that Brandy’s parents’ vision for a friendly and convenient place for people to grab their brews and other beach stay essentials is continuing to flourish.

“Our family has been welcoming people to the Outer Banks since 1977,” Foreman says. “We love this beautiful place, and we want everybody to get to enjoy it.”

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Currituck Beach Lighthouse

The Currituck Beach Lighthouse, located in the heart of Corolla, borders the historic Whalehead in Historic Corolla and still functions as a guide for passing mariners. At 162' feet tall, the lighthouse's First Order Fresnel light, (the largest size available for American lighthouses), can be seen for 18 nautical miles as the light rotates in 20 second increments.

American Pie

Discover the best homemade ice cream and authentic made-from-scratch New York Style pizza the Outer Banks has to offer at American Pie in Kill Devil Hills. An Outer Banks favorite for lunch, dinner or a delicious scoop of scrumptious ice cream after a day at the beach.

It was 1978 when Eddie and Lou Miller first opened Miller’s Seafood and Steakhouse. As a teenager, their son Brian spent his summers working in the restaurant, getting familiar with the family business. After college, Brian and his wife Beth came back to Kill Devil Hills and began working together at Miller’s. Brian and Beth officially purchased the restaurant from Eddie and Lou in 2007. A few years later they opened American Pie together, and both restaurants now carry on the Miller family tradition of quality, excellence and hospitality.

“I learned everything about the restaurant business from my parents,” Miller says. “They ran the business together for all those years, and now my wife and I are doing the same. “Throughout the summer, we’re feeding around 2,000 people a day in our two restaurants. It’s a challenge we embrace every season, and we get a lot of fulfillment from making it all work.”

The Millers focus on two main specialties: high quality foods and unparalleled service. Seafood at Miller’s is fresh and locally caught, and they serve high-quality Angus beef, fresh pastas and homemade desserts. At American Pie, guests enjoy hand-tossed pizzas and homemade ice cream.

“We put a lot of time and effort into ensuring the products we bring in are top-notch,” Miller says. “Our customers know that when they visit our restaurants, they’ll be getting the quality and consistency they’ve come to know and love.”

• 252-441-3332

These 4 Outer Banks Dolphin Tours Will Make Your Vacation Unforgettable

Marine life brings forth a bevy of curiosities for humans. Maybe it’s the quest to discover the unknown or the fact that the ocean is the largest ecosystem in the world, but there is something genuinely fascinating about creatures of the sea. Whether it has a tail, tentacles, or teeth, you’re bound to see something during your trip to the beach. The easiest way to spot marine life (and get an unmatched look at the landscape) is to take one of the fantastic Outer Banks dolphin tours in the area. There’s a good chance these majestic animals will swim right next to your boat for an unforgettable experience! 

If you want to discover the best ways to make the most of your time in the OBX, be sure to download our complimentary Vacation Guide !

Top 4 of the Most Incredible Outer Banks Dolphin Tours

Outer banks adventures.

Outer Banks Adventures provides visitors with a unique way to see the waterways in and around Roanoke Sound. Strap into your airboat for a half day, full day, or hourly tour where you will stop sand bars, private islands, and navigate inlets that bigger boats can’t access. You can also try your luck at stand up paddleboarding for a new way to explore the marshes around the coast. The summer season is the perfect time to take one of these dolphin tours in the Outer Banks.

Captain Johnny’s Dolphin Watch

Captain Johnny’s Dolphin Watch offers tours that depart from the beautiful Manteo waterfront. They offer visitors three cruises every day from June through October. Choose between a morning dolphin watch, an afternoon dolphin cruise, and a sunset dolphin tour. Captain Stuart Wescott pilots the 50-passenger boat around the many sounds in the Outer Banks. You’re practically guaranteed to see bottlenose dolphins bobbing and weaving through the calm waters alongside your vessel. The sunset dolphin tour is an unforgettable experience!

Nags Head Dolphin Watch

Nags Head Dolphin Watch has two locations: one along the main strip of OBX in Nags Head and one in Shallowbag Bay in Manteo. They have a schedule with several different times throughout the summer, beginning in mid-May. Depending on the monthly schedule, you can take one of three daily trips they offer. The Manteo location features tours on weekdays from mid-May to Labor Day. The Nags Head location has an extended season from Labor Day to the beginning of October.

Paradise Cruises

Paradise Dolphin Cruises is another fantastic dolphin tour company in the Outer Banks. You’ll depart on your inner coastal waterway journey from Wanchese, a small fishing town on the southern portion of Roanoke Island. Paradise Dolphin Cruises is open longer than other companies in the area, seven days a week from mid-April through mid-October. On your trip, you’ll see lighthouses, ospreys, and of course, dolphins! They guarantee that you’ll see a dolphin on your journey, or it’s free!

Book Your Outer Banks Adventure!

Pirate’s Cove Resort is the ultimate Outer Banks destination! Not only do we have several unique property sites on the charming island of Manteo (just five minutes from OBX) that offer gorgeous waterfront views where you may even be able to spot dolphins from your balcony! Families will love all of the fantastic attractions around Roanoke Island, like The Lost Colony , the Elizabethan Gardens , and the North Carolina Aquarium ! You can also stroll through the streets of downtown Manteo and check out the many quaint shops and restaurants! Start planning your Outer Banks adventure and book your vacation rental today! We look forward to welcoming you to our coastal paradise!

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PCR Aldridge, Inc. dba: Pirate’s Cove Realty Firm License # C20146 1 Sailfish Drive, Manteo, NC 27954

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Book Your Spot on the Top Outer Banks Dolphin Tours

The Outer Banks is home to more than 100 miles of shoreline, making it the perfect destination if you’re craving a bit of sun, sand, and surf. Situated right on this shoreline in Kill Devil Hills is Sea Ranch Resort , a premier family-friendly resort. Our oceanfront location means you are just steps away from wandering the beach for shells or going for a quick swim. Our location also means breathtaking ocean views that can include aquatic creatures. Get an up-close look at these animals by reserving your seat on the best Outer Banks dolphin tours. 

How to Get the Best Dolphin Views 

Every summer, bottlenose dolphins call the waters around the Outer Banks home. The Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research  keeps track of dolphins in the Roanoke Sound and has identified more than 800 since 2008.  A great way to see and learn about these creatures is on a dolphin tour, and you have a few different options of who to book with. 

Before reserving your outing, check directly with the tour operators for the most current and applicable information as terms, hours, and offers are subject to change. 

Captain Johnny’s Dolphin Tours

For almost three decades, Captain Jamie Wescott has been taking passengers on a two-hour cruise that all ages will enjoy. Hear facts about bottlenose dolphins as your cruise around protected waters looking for them. There are three different tour times available. 

Paradise Dolphin Cruises

Go on a search with these majestic creatures on a two-hour excursion . Not only will you possibly see dolphins, but other animals that call this area home, like the Osprey. This tour guarantees seeing dolphins, or you can ride again for free.

Harbor Star Dolphin Tour

Departing from Wanchese Marina , this cruise aboard the 50-foot Harbor Star for a two-hour journey. Purchase your tickets at least 30 minutes before departure time, and be sure to stop by the Landing Grill for a bite to eat after your tour. 

Kitty Hawk Kites/Nags Head Dolphin Watch

Select from one of three locations to find one that fits your itinerary best. Two cruises depart from Nags Head while one leaves from Shallowbag Bay Marina in Manteo. Reservations are through Kitty Hawk Kites . 

Soak in the Sunshine Exploring Outer Banks Nature 

Our Kill Devil Hills hotel features both guest rooms and condos . This variety of accommodation options means you can choose something that gives everyone in your group room to unwind. Once you’ve checked in, enjoy our amenities like a heated pool, convenient beach access, and a fitness center. If you have any questions about the resort or special offers, call 252-441-7126 . There are advantages to booking directly with Sea Ranch Resort!

Book a Tour

Lost treasure.

Experience natural treasures with a personalized guided tour of Topsail Island, North Carolina’s secluded barrier islands, sea grass meadows, backwater sounds, marshes, near-ocean waters. Two or three hour customized adventures are spent exploring barrier islands, shelling, dolphin watching, birding, clamming, cast netting, crabbing, with the family. Come take an ecology tour accompanied by your own USCG certified Captain from Lost Treasure Eco tours and get ready for an adventure that will help make your trip to Topsail Island a truly memorable one.

Dolphin Watching

North Carolina's 2.3 million acres of brackish waters and productive fish nursery areas offer prime habitat for bottlenose dolphins to live and raise their young. The waters around Topsail Island provide fantastic places to watch dolphins. The exhilaration and awe of seeing such beautiful wildlife surface nearby, glide along-side our boat or even sometimes jump completely out of the water during a Lost Treasure Ecotours dolphin watch is hard to match. When seas are calm, customers can even hear them come up, expel water, and breathe. During the summer these intelligent animals will take their young into backwater nursery areas, where food is abundant and predators scarce. During the fall and early winter dolphins will move out of our estuaries into the near-shore ocean waters, hunting the millions of fish migrating from North Carolina's shallow sounds. Customers are sometimes fortunate to see huge pods of these animals congregating to feed.

Customize your adventure on a 20ft Carolina skiff!

Personalized 2 or 3 hour tours of sea grass meadows, backwater sounds, marshes & inner coastal islands & the Intercoastal Water Way!

What to Bring

While we provide what you'll need to explore, there are a few things you will need to bring.

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2024 and 2023-2024 South Atlantic Recreational Landings

The Southeast Fisheries Science Center has provided the following preliminary landings estimates for species in the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s area of jurisdiction subject to annual catch limits (ACLs).

Table of Contents

Preliminary landings* for fishing year: january 1 - december 31, 2024, preliminary landings* for 2023-2024 fishing year: season varies (see table).

This page was updated on:  5/29/2024

• SEASONAL CLOSURES:   South Atlantic Seasons and Closures
• TRIP LIMITS AND BAG LIMITS :  South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
• FOR THE MOST CURRENT FEDERAL REGULATIONS:   Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 622 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic
• 2023 and 2022-2023 fishing years
• 2022 and 2021-2022 fishing years
• 2021 and 2020-2021 fishing years
• 2020 and 2019-2020 fishing years
• 2019 and 2018-2019 fishing years
• Historical Landings:   Historical landings for the South Atlantic
• FOR ALL LANDINGS:   Southeast Region Annual Catch Limit Monitoring  

*by Two-month Wave

MRFSS, MRIP, and Headboat recreational landings available from January 1 through December 31, 2023.

The survey to estimate recreational landings has changed over the years.  Details of the changes can be found at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/recreational-fishing-data

The different recreational surveys are listed in the tables as MRFSS, CHTS, and FES.  MRFSS is the Marine Recreational Fishery Statistics Survey, CHTS is the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) Coastal Household Telephone Survey, and FES is the MRIP Fishing Effort Survey.  

**The new gag ACL in FES was implemented on 10/23/2023. 

***The new golden tilefish ACL in FES was implemented on 12/7/2023.

Note:  Amendment 31  removed Atlantic cobia (from Georgia through New York) from the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan.  Atlantic cobia is now managed under the purview of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission because the majority of Atlantic cobia landings are in state waters.

**The new greater amberjack ACL in FES was implemented on 10/26/2023.

**The new King mackerel ACL in FES was implemented on 6/8/2023.

Definitions

ww: pounds whole weight; gw: pounds gutted weight; numbers: number of fish

Recreational Dataset: All landings are MRIP, except the following species are MRFSS: Black grouper, Red snapper, Goliath grouper, Nassau grouper, Speckled hind, and Warsaw grouper.  The datasets used to monitor the recreational ACLs for some stocks were changed from MRFSS to the MRIP.  The dataset to monitor the other stocks will be changed to MRIP in future amendments. Landings include MRIP or MRIP converted to MRFSS and headboat landings.  

(a) There is a seasonal regulation in place; For a list of seasonal closures and harvest limitations, please visit  South Atlantic Seasonal Closures and Harvest Limitations

(b) Deepwater Complex: yellowedge grouper, silk snapper, misty grouper, queen snapper, sand tilefish, blackfin snapper

(c) Grunts: White grunt, margate, sailor's choice, tomtate

(d) Jacks: Almaco jack, banded rudderfish, lesser amberjack

(e) Porgies: Jolthead, knobbed, saucereye, whitebone, scup

(f) Shallow Water Grouper: Red hind, rock hind, coney, graysby, yellowfin grouper, yellowmouth grouper

(g) Snappers: Gray, lane, cubera

(h) The majority of red grouper landings came north of Key West (Gulf of Mexico region).  These Key West red grouper landings were not applied to the South Atlantic ACL.

Source: Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Quota Monitoring Program, Miami, Florida.

For additional information contact  Mary Vara  at 727-824-5305.

Return to the Southeast Region Annual Catch Limit Monitoring page

Last updated by Southeast Regional Office on 05/30/2024

THE BEST Dolphin & Whale Watching in Corolla, NC

Dolphin & whale watching in corolla.

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1. Kitty Hawk Kites