Your exploration begins at the Whalebone Junction Information Center. From there, you’ll head to the iconic Bodie Island Lighthouse, standing tall as a beacon of North Carolina's rich maritime history.Next, you’ll reach the Pea Island Beach and Pea Island Wildlife Refuge, perfect places to enjoy the famous natural beauty of the Outer Banks.As you cruise alongside the ocean, you’ll hear fascinating tales of early Europeans who tried to colonize this beautiful land. Unravel the mystery of the Lost Colony of Roanoke and separate fact from fiction.The tour then ushers you towards the majestic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. On the way there, you’ll discover the little-known World War II history of these islands and find out how this place became a National Seashore. Then, take your time as you marvel at the grandeur of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse itself.While you drive through the town of Buxton, you’ll find out what exactly the Diamond Shoals are, and why they’ve posed such a problem for ships in days gone by. And this tour wouldn’t be complete without a foray into the thrilling (and true!) tales of pirates. Did you know the Outer Banks were once the haunt of the infamous Blackbeard?Finally, you’ll arrive at the town of Hatteras itself. Here, you’ll have the option to take the Hatteras Ferry to the remote and picture-perfect island of Ocracoke. Your tour concludes here.
Know in advance:
Visit the iconic Bodie Island Lighthouse. Unearth the mystery behind the Lost Colony of Roanoke. Dive deep into maritime tales of Blackbeard the pirate. Learn about the wild horses of the Outer Banks. Discover how this place earned the title “Graveyard of the Atlantic”
The tour begins outside of the Whalebone Junction Information Center on the Outer Banks.