Walk Manteo’s moonlit shoreline and historic streets with a local guide who pairs Roanoke Island history with chilling eyewitness accounts. This hour-long, mile-long tour mixes maritime mystery and close-up views of iconic haunted sites.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
A low lantern light cuts a path across Town Common Park as the Atlantic wind threads the boardwalk. On a clear night in Manteo the salt air tastes like history—bracing and edged with ozone—and the dunes throw long, moving shadows. This one-mile walking tour moves through dim streets and shoreline, where guides stitch local legend to place: ghost ships glimpsed off-shore, restless figures tied to the 1587 Lost Colony, and inexplicable sounds near cemetery fences.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
1 hour
Fitness Level
Light walking ability; able to walk about one mile over mostly flat terrain
Wildlife
History
Roanoke Island was the site of the 1587 Lost Colony; Manteo itself is named for a Native Algonquian leader who befriended early English settlers.
Conservation
Visitors should stick to public paths and dune walkways to protect fragile coastal grasses and historic sites; minimize light and noise near private homes to reduce disturbance.
Reserve your spot on the OBX Ghost Tours: Lighthouse Wraiths & Dune Shadows today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Meet at Town Common Park
Arrive 15 minutes early to find the group at 217 Budleigh St; your guide will wear a black US Ghost Adventures shirt and carry a lantern.
Wear sturdy shoes
Expect paved streets and some packed sand—closed-toe shoes reduce slips on wet curbs and beach-adjacent paths.
Bring a light source
Guides carry a lantern but a dim headlamp or flashlight is useful for reading plaques and watching your step after dark.
Respect historic sites
Stay on paths, avoid touching grave markers or museum exhibits, and follow the guide’s instructions near private property.
Closed-toe walking shoes
Provide traction on wet curbs and packed sand sections along the route.
Headlamp or small flashlight
Helps with footing and reading historical markers without disrupting the group.
Windproof jacket
Blocks chilly sound breezes after sunset and during winter tours.
fall
Insect repellent
Useful in warmer months when mosquitoes are active near marshes and shoreline.
summer