Welcome to the Outer Banks of North Carolina! This beautiful stretch of land, from Corolla through Nags Head to Hatteras and Ocracoke islands, is one of the most popular vacation areas on the East Coast. 

Part of the Outer Banks' charm is the remoteness of the area. Since we're only accessible by ferry or by driving over one of the bridges that connects us to the mainland, once you're here, you have the feeling of being far removed from the rest of the world. We're really not that far. And in recent years, with an ever-growing tourism industry, goods and services have come to us. It s fascinating to hear locals tell of long drives to stores on the mainland to buy groceries or to receive medical care back in the old days. The "old days," however, were less than two decades ago! 

Here, the first English colonists set up camp. Blackbeard and his band of buccaneers anchored sloops along the shallow sounds. Wilbur and Orville Wright also flew the world's first airplane, buoyed by stiff winter winds and brazen determination.

This online version of the flagship Insiders' Guide, the 26th Edition of Insiders' Guide ^® Outer Banks for 2003, will answer all your questions and let you in on the information that will help you become a true Outer Banks Insider yourself. Getting married? Want the right meal from our world-class seafood cuisine. Coming to rent a cottage? You've come to the right place. Dive into the Outer Banks with us.