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Outer Banks Scavenger Hunt (Free!)

sea shell in hand on beach

Planning a trip to the Outer Banks in North Carolina? You’ll want to take along a copy of this ‘Outer Banks Scavenger Hunt’. Whether you’re bringing the family, aiming for a couples getaway or exploring the sandbar on a solo trip, this scavenger hunt is a great way to see all the major features the Outer Banks has to offer! The best part is, you can do it all for free 🙂

man holding wright memorial in hand; hanging surf boards; ocean pursuit shipwreck
Wright Brothers Memorial; Surf boards at Wings; Ocean Pursuit shipwreck at Oregon Inlet

A Quick Introduction to the OBX

Not familiar with the Outer Banks (aka OBX)? No problem! This 200-mile (320 km) long strip of barrier islands is located on the eastern coast of North Carolina. This stretch of beach is a popular tourist destination in the spring, summer and early fall. People from all over the Northeastern flock to it’s shorelines to swim in it’s waters and lounge on it’s many beaches.

Fun OBX Fact – the Wright Brothers made the first flight of a powered, aircraft with the ‘Wright Flyer’ in 1903, just south of Kitty Hawk .

Wikipedia.com
hand stand whale mural; welcome to the outer banks sign; OBX horse statue
Handstand with a whale at Benjamin Franklin’s; Welcome to the Outer Banks; OBX horse statue

So much history!

The OBX is also famous for it’s First Flight story, as well as the Roanoke Colony. There are six lighthouses that inhabit the coast, and the shores host several hundred nesting sea turtles each and every year. It’s even home to the tallest living sand dune on the Atlantic Coast! The Outer Banks is also known for it’s treacherous waters that have resulted in over 5,000 shipwrecks in the last 500 years! The area is nicknamed The Graveyard of the Atlantic. How cool?!

Fun OBX Fact – Edward Teach (aka Blackbeard) once resided here. Arrrr!

fake marlin on wall couple selfie; couple with toes in sand; bodies island light house
A BIG fish; Toes in the sand; Bodie Island Light

Seeing it all…

We’ve only touched on a few of the things the Outer Banks is known for. If you are hoping to get in some sight seeing in addition to your sun tan (hopefully not burn!), we’ve put together a list of key items for you to seek out and photograph. Make sure your first/next trip to the OBX is complete with this Outer Banks Scavenger Hunt.

Most Importantly, Have Fun!

Of course, you don’t have to follow this list to a T. You can put your own creative spin on some of the items, or even add your own! If you do, we’d love to hear some of your ideas. We’d also love to see your pictures! Be sure to share them on Instagram, #stayingafloatobx and don’t forget to tag us @staying_afloat_

outer banks scavenger hunt print out

Looking for more things to do in the Outer Banks that aren’t the beach? Check out seven other beach free activities we love! Or how about a day trip down to Cape Hatteras?

Have you ever visited the Outer Bank? What is your fondest memory?

float on, kat & phil
couple jumping at wright brothers memorial kitty hawk outer banks north carolina

15 Comments

    • admin

      Thank you Britt! Always trying to satiate that FOMO feeling, you know 😉 We love scavenger hunts and feel like they are a great source for exploring!

    • admin

      Thank you Ghulam! Such a lovely compliment. We really enjoy sharing with our readers. Stay well!

    • admin

      Always happy to share fun ways to explore new (or old) places! After all, traveling on a budget is our forte 😉

  1. Tiffany

    Will definitely be using this. North Carolina is a state I have always wanted to visit. This looks like a great way to see the sites of Outer Banks!

    • admin

      Awesome Tiffany! North Carolina is a beast of a state to visit, it has so much to offer! From forests and mountains to beaches and oceans, we can’t get enough and bet you’ll love it 😉 Happy travels!

    • admin

      You are most welcome Alix! We look forward to traveling again soon ourselves. Stay well!

    • admin

      The list of spots to visit in the Carolinas is looooooon Tracy haha! We bet you’ll love the Outer Banks as much as we do! Safe travels 🙂

  2. Makeup

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